What’s the deal with Turmeric/ Curcumin?

What follows is a brief review of a paper that deals with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its associated risk factors, which is relevant given our recent TBL. It is also deals with Turmeric/ Curcumin, a familiar Asian-Indian spice that is believed by some to have health benefits.

CVD continues to be the primary cause of death in the United States. An accelerant of CVD related morbidity and mortality is obesity. Obesity can exacerbate CVD through the alteration of normal glucose metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis. Obesity can also affect adipocyte signaling and cause an unfavorable balance in adipocytokines and the satiety hormone, Leptin. Obesity can, furthermore, cause an increase in oxidative damage via an increase in plasma homocysteine levels; all of which equates to deleterious changes in arterial function and hemodynamics.

Therefore, by reducing the ways in which obesity can exacerbate CVD, there should be a correlating reduction in CVD events. In particular, Curcumin has been indicated in previous studies to improve CVD-related blood biomarkers and arterial health. To test this strategy in an obese population, a 12-week, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. 

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that Curcumin would improve CVD-related blood biomarkers. The study included 22 young men (age 18-35) with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of ≥ 30.0 kg/m2, who were randomly assigned to either an enhanced bioavailable Curcumin or placebo group. Supplements were administered based on group assignment, and subjects were ultimately instructed to take their supplement, once at the same time every day. Blood samples and endothelial function were then tested at 0 and 12 weeks after a minimum of four hours fasting. Aortic blood pressure and augmentation index (for testing endothelial function) were monitored at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Results were significant for lower levels of homocysteine and higher levels of circulating high-density lipoproteins (HDL) when comparing the Curcumin group to the placebo group (P = 0.04). There was no significant difference, however, in endothelial function or circulating concentrations of glucose, insulin, leptin, adipocytokines, or other oxidative stress biomarkers in the Curcumin group when compared to the placebo group (P > 0.05).

In conclusion, this study represents significant evidence with which to support the claim that nutraceutical foods may provide a benefit in protecting against CVD in young, obese men. In fact, the data specifically suggest that enhanced bioavailable Curcumin may improve homocysteine and HDL concentrations, promoting favorable cardiovascular health in this specific population. What’s more, this as an appeal to justice and autonomy on behalf of the average consumer. In knowing what is attainable through over-the-counter supplementation, the consumer is less likely to be misled by false health claims.

References:

Campbell, M. S., Ouyang, A., I.M., K., Charnigo, R. J., Westgate, P. M., & Fleenor, B. S. (2019). Influence of enhanced bioavailable curcumin on obesity-associated cardiovascular disease risk factors and arterial function: A double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial. Nutrition, 62, 135–139. https://doi-org.dml.regis.edu/10.1016/j.nut.2019.01.002