Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. In research with 59 patients with Metabolic Syndrome, those taking curcumin had an average reduction of 19.6% in blood pressure compared to the control group and other benefits.
Metabolic Syndrome is characterized by a number of risk factors that include central obesity (excessive fat tissue in and around the abdomen), increased blood pressure (130/85 mmHg or higher), and insulin resistance (the body can’t properly use insulin or blood sugar). Because Metabolic Syndrome consists of so many symptoms, it is also known as “Syndrome X” (1). It currently affects 47 million Americans (1), with the average individual yearly pharmacy cost for those with Metabolic Syndrome to be $4,000, making Metabolic Syndrome “the most expensive disease you’ve never heard of” (2).
A 2015 study (3) found 3 grams of fish oil combined with 10 milliliters of olive oil per day to benefit those with metabolic syndrome. Another study (4) now suggests that curcumin may have a benefit.
The study involved 59 patients (30 males, 29 females) aged 42 to 73 diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. They received either 1,890 milligrams of curcumin (630 milligram three times daily = 30 patients) or a placebo (29 patients) daily for 12 weeks. The following results were observed:
| What Was Measured | Curcumin Group | Placebo | p value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cholesterol (milligrams/deciliter) | 9.9% decrease (195.10 to 175.86) | 7% decrease (180.07 to 167.53) | 0.013 |
| LDL Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 11.7% decrease (120.55 to 106.51) | 4% decrease (107.03 to 102.75) | 0.011 |
| HDL Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 6.8% increase (40.96 to 43.76) | 1.4% decrease (41.50 to 40.92) | 0.027 |
| Triglycerides (mg/dL) | 28.9% decrease (226.10 to 160.79) | 9.3% decrease (159.46 to 144.65 | 0.029 |
The researchers made a special comment on the 28.9% reduction in triglycerides in the curcumin group. Specifically, that lowering triglyceride levels “is thought to be linked” to increasing insulin sensitivity and improve inflammation levels (5, 6), and that “lifestyle changes in combination with supplements are the key to lowering triglyceride levels by standards unattainable by medication (7).”
For the researchers “daily curcumin consumption may be an alternative choice to modify metabolic-related parameters, especially in metabolic syndrome patients.”
Source: Yang, Yi‐Sun, et al. “Lipid‐Lowering Effects of Curcumin in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial.” Phytotherapy Research 28.12 (2014): 1770-1777.
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Posted February 16, 2015.
Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Hauppauge, NY. You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.PitchingDoc.com
References:
- “Metabolic Syndrome” posted on the American Heart Association Website
- “Metabolic Syndrome: The Most Expensive Disease You’ve Never Heard Of” – Medical News Today, May 9, 2005
- Effects of Extra-Virgin Olive oil and Fish Oil on Lipid Profile and Oxidative Stress in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome. Nutrition 2015; DOI 1016/j.nut.2014.12.016
- Yang YS. Lipid-lowering effects of curcumin in patients with metabolic syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Phytother Res 2014 Dec;28(12):1770-7. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5197. Epub 2014 Aug 6.
- Sahebkar A. Are curcuminoids effective C-reactive proteinlowering agents in clinical practice? Evidence from a metaanalysis. Phytother Res 2014; 28: 633–642.
- Sahebkar A. Low-density lipoprotein is a potential target for curcumin: novel mechanistic insights. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. [Epub ahead of print] 2014; 114: 437–443
- Sahebkar A. Why it is necessary to translate curcumin into clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome? Biofactors 39 2013: 197–208
