Combination of Turmeric and Aerobic Exercise Improves Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Hyperlipidemic Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Female Subjects

by | Dec 15, 2022 | 2022, Blood Lipids, Botanicals, Diabetes, Fitness and Exercise, Women's Health

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. An 8-week intervention of aerobic training (3-days/week of 20-minute sessions) and turmeric supplementation (3 times/day of 700 mg of turmeric powder) significantly reduced MetS Z scores (p=0.001; p=0.011), hs-CRP (p=0.028; p=0.041) and significantly increased TAC levels (p=0.001; p=0.001) compared to the AT and TS groups. 

botanicals - turmericCoronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and is characterized by formation of arterial plaques, which are mainly comprised of lipids, calcium, and inflammatory cells1. The main risk factors for CHD include dyslipidemia, diabetes, arterial hypertension, obesity, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle2. Diabetes has long been recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), conferring a 2- to 4-fold increased risk of CVD mortality3. Furthermore, the combination of severe hyperglycemia with dyslipidemia and signs of insulin resistance can lead to premature atherosclerosis with its associated complications of CHD and cerebrovascular changes4.

A growing body of research suggests that high levels of physical activity may have a protective effect against CHD, with the potential to improve patient’s heart functions including myocardial contractility and blood supply to the tissues5. Exercise also exerts an effect on HDL-C maturation and composition and on reverse C transport from peripheral cells to the liver to favor its catabolism and excretion6. Additionally, turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities7. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol from turmeric, is a biologically active phytochemical substance that has been researched for its ability to reduce the level of hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6)8.

Darmian et al. performed a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effects of combined aerobic training (AT) and turmeric supplementation (TS) on metabolic status and oxidative stress biomarkers in hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetes mellitus (HT2DM) middle-aged (40-60 years) female subjects. Inclusion criteria consisted of being diagnosed with HT2DM, with a fasting blood glucose (FBG) > 126, triglycerides (TG) > 150 mg/dL, and 25 ≤ BMI <30 kg/m2. Participants (n=44) were randomly divided into one of four groups: AT+TS (n=11), AT+ placebo (AT; n=11), TS (n=11), and control + placebo (C; n=11). Participants in the AT+TS and AT groups were required to exercise for eight weeks. The exercise program was based on the American Diabetes Association guidelines and consisted of three days of AT per week started at 60% of Maximum heart rate (HRmax) and 20 min per session and gradually 75% of HRmax and 40 min. Participants in the AT+TS and the TS groups were given three capsules/day containing 700 mg of turmeric powder with main meals for eight weeks.

Blood samples were obtained to analyze levels of triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), FBG, hs-CRP levels, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Waist circumference, fasting glucose, SBP, HDL, cholesterol, and TG were used to compute MetS z scores for participants. The Shapiro-Wilk test was utilized to evaluate the normal distribution of the continuous variables. Within-group comparisons were also made using paired sample t-test. Significant findings of the 8-week trial are as follows:

  • Significant differences were noted among the groups regarding MetS Z scores. The MetS Z score was significantly lower in the AT+TS (p=0.001), AT (p=0.001), and TS (p=0.001) groups compared to the C group. The MetS Z score was significantly lower in the AT + TS compared to AT (p=0.023) and TS (p=0.001).
  • Regarding MDA, DSH, TAC, and hs-CRP, the AT+TS group had significantly lower MDA (p=0.001; p=0.001) and hs-CRP (p=0.028, p=0.041) and significantly higher GSH (p=0.003; p=0.041) and significantly higher GSH (p=0.003; p=0.001), and TAC (p=0.001; p=0.001) compared to the AT and TS groups; respectively.

Results of the study show that a combination of turmeric supplementation and aerobic training significantly improved inflammatory and antioxidant biomarkers in HT2DM female subjects. Although significant improvement was noted in the AT and TS groups alone, overall improvements were higher when the two therapies were combined. Further research should continue to explore the synergistic effects of exercise and turmeric supplementation. Study limitations include the short duration of the trial and the lack of using different doses of turmeric.

Source: Darmian, Mahsa Ahmadi, Rastegar Hoseini, Ehsan Amiri, and Sanam Golshani. “Downregulated hs-CRP and MAD, upregulated GSH and TAC, and improved metabolic status following combined exercise and turmeric supplementation: a clinical trial in middle-aged women with hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetes.” Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders (2022): 1-9.

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Posted December 15, 2022.

Taylor Woosley studied biology at Purdue University before becoming a 2016 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a major in Writing. She currently resides in Glen Ellyn, IL.

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