FAQ
What is crocin?
Crocin is a unique carotenoid and natural pigment found in a selected few plants source, particularly in saffron. It's the primary constituent that gives saffron the bright red color and diverse health-boosting properties. Carotenoids are a type of pigment that plants use for various functions, like capturing sunlight for photosynthesis and protecting against damage from sunlight.
Crocin specifically is known for its antioxidant, neuroprotective, and inflammatory-regulating properties, which means it helps protect cells from damage caused by harmful molecules and support health.
What makes crocin special?
Crocin stands out for several compelling reasons:
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Distinctive Color and Carotenoid: Crocin is responsible for the vivid red color of saffron, which is one of the most expensive spices in the world. It's the sole water-soluble carotenoid in nature, giving dishes like saffron rice their signature yellow hue.
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Health Benefits: Crocin is the primary active constituent that provides the various health benefits of saffron. Research since 2010, including nearly 50 human clinical trials and thousands of lab studies, highlights crocin's diverse health benefits. These studies have confirmed that crocin supplementation significantly benefits memory, cognition, mood, vision, sleep quality, joint health, and overall well-being.
- Traditional Use: Crocin-rich saffron has a long history in traditional medicine, where it's been used for centuries to address various health issues such as low mood, anxiety, and menstrual discomfort. This rich tradition underscores the enduring efficacy of crocin-rich remedies
- Crocin is not present in your daily foods, fruits or vegetables. So, Supplement of crocin is crucial for supporting health and wellness.
What is Crocin Rich® ?
Crocin Rich® is the first and only high purity natural crocin reviewed and granted NO OBJECTION by FDA in the USA. The approved Crocin Rich® has a content >75% purity of crocin and offers optimal crocin effects for its products. It is produced with the most advanced purification techniques under strict quality control. Crocin Rich® authenticity and purity are confirmed and determined by HPLC, LCMS, and QNMR.
Why is Crocin Rich® superior to any commercial saffron or "saffron extract"?
Because crocin is the primary active constituent that provides the various health benefits of saffron, crocin content in each tablet or capsule of a product determines its potency and effectiveness. Crocin Rich® delivers high potency and confidence, and is far superior to any saffron or saffron extract, as shown in the table below.
Crocin Rich® |
Saffron* |
Brand A |
Brand B or saffron extract** |
|
Crocin purity |
75% |
4-6% |
<3% |
NA |
Serving size |
25-30 mg |
20-30 mg |
20-30 mg |
88.5 mg |
Crocin content per serving |
18.75-22.5 mg |
1.2-1.8 mg |
0.6-0.9 mg |
Low or not labeled |
*According to saffron monography prepared by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) of the United Nations, authentic saffron normally contains between 4-6% of crocin and crocetin. Claims of product containing saffron with 10-15% crocin are likely exaggerated.
** Many commercial “saffron extracts” are diluted ingredients that do not list crocin content, often produced by adding cellulose during preparation.
What is saffron?
Saffron is the stigma of the Crocus sativus, the most antioxidant-rich plant known and the most expensive spice and herb. For more than 3,000 years, saffron has also been treasured as a treatment for a wide assortment of maladies. Growing evidence of clinical and preclinical studies in recent years has further revealed that saffron and, particularly, its primary constituent crocin as promising natural ingredients for their amazing health effects.
Is crocin a over-the-counter medicine or pain killer?
No. Crocin described here is the natural chemical name of the unique water-soluble carotenoid. Don't mix it up with the popular over-the-counter medicine made with acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) which has a trademarked named as Crocin® in some countries such as India and Tylenol® in the USA. Crocin is not a OTC drug made with acetaminophen or paracetamol.
Why is crocin more effective than saffron?
Crocin is what gives the diverse health-boosting effects of saffron. Saffron, like any plant materials, varies significantly in content of crocin as its quality is affected by region, weather, drying process, and other factors.
Additionally, saffron has been documented to be subjected to adulteration since Middle Age. Therefore, purified natural crocin offers potent and consistent biological effects that saffron doesn't.
Why is crocin superior to other carotenoids?
Crocin is the only water-soluble carotenoid in nature and readily absorbed by our body, making it more stable and effectively utilized than the other (fat soluble) carotenoids. Clinical and preclinical studies have confirmed that crocin has potent and multifaceted health-enhancing effects.
Unlike the other carotenoids, crocin is absent in your daily foods, fruits, or vegetables, making its supplementation a necessity for better health and wellness.
Is crocin found anywhere else in nature other than in saffron?
Crocin is only present in a very few specific plant sources, mainly saffron and gardenia fruits, and is absent in the daily foods, fruits or vegetables.
Are there research studies about crocin health beneficial effects?
Since 2010, over 50 human clinical studies of crocin and significantly more clinical studies with saffron have been published. These studies have unveiled that supplementation of crocin 15-30mg per day significantly benefits memory, learning, focus, visual acuity, macular and cognitive health, mood, sleep quality, mobility, joint health, as well as other aspects of health.
What is the difference between saffron and saffron extract?
According to saffron monography by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) monograph, saffron usually contains 4-6% of crocin. High quality saffron may have crocin content over 10%. If a saffron supplement claims its saffron containing 10% crocin or more, it is highly doubtful as saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world.
Although common sense tells saffron extract would be better than saffron, which is true in most published studies, the "saffron extract" or brand named extracts in the USA supplement market actually contain less than 3% of crocin or, worse, no crocin content on product label. These commercially available brand named or non-brand named "saffron extract" is not comparable to authentic saffron itself. Crocin content determines if a product is effective or not.
What are the benefits of CROCIN RICH products?
CROCIN RICH products deliver the amazing health effects of saffron in the enriched and purified form of crocin. See see product information and Blogs.
Are CROCIN RICH products safe?
Certificate of Free Sale from FDA was issued for CROCIN RICH products. Our high purity crocin ingredient, Crocin Rich® has been reviewed and granted by the FDA as a new dietary ingredient.
However, as dietary supplements, it is always recommended to consult with your physician or other qualified health professional before taking a new course of supplementation.
Where are CROCIN RICH products manufactured?
All CROCIN RICH products are manufactured in a NSF certified facility in New Jersey, USA, according to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
How are CROCIN RICH products made?
CROCIN RICH products are designed and manufactured with the best active ingredients extracted and purified from the best edible natural sources.
How were CROCIN RICH products developed?
CROCIN RICH products were developed through years of research and development by scientists in the USA, who are experts of natural products/ingredients and have in-depth knowledge of saffron and crocin. They are determined to bring safe, the best, and most beneficial supplement products from nature to the market.
What are the side effects of CROCIN RICH products?
No adverse effects have been reported by users of CROCIN RICH products since its start in 2016.
Are there any cautions regarding the use of CROCIN RICH products?
As is the case with all dietary supplements, you should consult with your doctor or other qualified health professionals regarding the treatment of medical conditions before using this product.
Are CROCIN RICH products genetically engineered?
No.
How do I know CROCIN RICH products work?
CROCIN RICH products provide the highest usage of crocin on the market today. Users having different conditions may feel different effects.
What ensures the potency and consistency of CROCIN RICH products?
CROCIN RICH products are manufactured in the USA according to good manufacturing practice (GMP) with the best quality ingredients. For example, the identity and high purity of the key ingredient, Crocin Rich® is measured and determined by the most advanced analytical technologies, including HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography), LCMS (Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry), and qNMR (quantitative NMR) techniques. This ensures consistency of dosage and potency of the product.
What is the difference between the CROCIN RICH products?
Each tablet of CROCIN RICH provides a dose of crocin (equivalent to 90 mg of top-grade saffron) plus lutein and zeaxanthin. Each tablet of CROCIN RICH II provides a higher dose of crocin (equivalent to 275mg top grade saffron), 3X potency of CROCIN RICH.
CROCIN RICH plus is a patented product (US9211298). Each tablet provides a higher dose of crocin (equivalent to 300mg top grade saffron) plus six other potent natural antioxidants and enhancers for best effects. More than 3X potency of CROCIN RICH.
CROCIN RICH products are packaged in a convenient two-month supply (60 coated tablets per bottle).
Which CROCIN RICH product should I use?
While all CROCIN RICH products enhance our health in a range of areas, products at higher dosages prove to be more effective. These products provide meaningful effects for your natural well-being of body and mind*. Particularly, CROCIN RICH plus offers the highest usage of crocin in our patented formulation for the best results.
What if I’m not satisfied with my CROCIN RICH purchase?
If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may return any unopened bottles in 60 days for a full refund.
How much do CROCIN RICH products cost?
Please refer to the Products page, or on Amazon or Ebay for current pricing on all CROCIN RICH products.
Why do CROCIN RICH products cost more than other saffron-based supplements?
Saffron is a very expensive product to cultivate and process. It takes approximately 200 flowers to yield just 1,000 mg (0.035 oz.) of dry saffron threads and costs $2,000 to $5,000 a pound on the market. Saffron has been a subject of high frequent adulteration since Middle-Age. Quality of saffron and content of crocin in saffron vary significantly.
“Saffron Extract” or brand named extract on the US supplement market are diluted in content or crocin and not comparable to saffron itself. Ask yourself a question. Is it possible that a supplement product of “Saffron Extract” can cost less than saffron itself on a equal weight base.
CROCIN RICH products provide a high dose of the active component, crocin, for meaningful benefits. Crocin Rich® has been carefully reviewed and granted NO OBJECTION by FDA. Crocin identity and purity are determined and ensured by the most advanced analytical technologies, including HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography), LCMS (Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry), and qNMR (quantitative NMR) techniques. CROCIN RICH products received Certificate of Free Sale from FDA.
Do CROCIN RICH products contain fillers such as yeast, corn, wheat, gluten, starch, preservative, artificial color or flavor?
No. CROCIN RICH products are all natural.
Do CROCIN RICH products contain allergens?
CROCIN RICH products are made without any known allergens.
How do I store CROCIN RICH? Does it need to be refrigerated?
CROCIN RICH products are specially offered in coated tablet form, best for potency and stability. It can be stored at room temperature, preferably under dry and cool conditions.
Are there any dangerous chemicals used in the extraction process of crocin?
No.