Written by Angeline A. De Leon, Staff Writer. A 12-week supplementation with 1000 mg of curcuminoids plus piperine daily significantly improved serum lipid parameters in the participating type two diabetics compared to those in the control group.

curcuminCurcuminoids are natural chemical compounds found in turmeric, a type of ginger used as a traditional medicinal herb in South Asian and Eastern cultures. These bioactive phenols are responsible for the yellow coloring of turmeric and exist in three varieties: curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin 1. Most notably, curcuminoids are recognized for their various pharmacological effects, particularly their documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties 2,3. Newer research has focused on the glucose-lowering effects of curcuminoids in patients with diabetes 4 and their potential to reduce serum lipids in patients with metabolic syndrome 5, but much of this research has generated mixed findings, especially in high-risk populations. A recently published meta-analysis on the effects of curcuminoids on plasma lipoproteins drew inconclusive findings on the impact of curcumin supplementation on serum levels of several lipid indices, including total cholesterol (TC), trigylcerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in various population groups 6. In a study published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy of curcuminoids with the addition of piperine, an absorption-enhancing adjuvant designed to increase the bioavailability of curcumin 7, in improving the serum lipoproteins of patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

A total of 118 individuals (aged 18-65) carrying a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes took part in a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either 1000 mg of curcuminoid powder (with 10 mg of piperine) or a placebo capsule daily, along with standard of care for diabetes. At baseline and at the end of 12 weeks, subjects provided fasting blood samples from which serum concentrations of lipids were estimated, including TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, non-HDL-C (representing blood lipid pattern associated with increased risk of heart disease) and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a), type of cholesterol associated with increased risk of heart disease].

Between-group analyses on changes in lipid profile detected significant decreases for the curcuminoids group vs. placebo in serum levels of TC (-21.86 vs. -17.06, respectively; p = 0.023), non-HDL-C (-23.42 vs. -16.84, respectively, p = 0.014), and Lp(a) (-1.50 vs. -0.34, respectively; p = 0.001) (p < 0.05). Relative to placebo, the curcuminoids group also demonstrated significant elevations in serum levels of HDL-C (1.56 vs. -0.22, respectively; p = 0.048) (p < 0.05). No significant between-group differences were found for TG and LDL-C.

In general, study findings signify the efficacy of a natural curcuminoids-based product in modifying the lipid profile of patients with type 2 diabetes. By reducing serum levels of plaque-forming lipids like non-HDL-C and Lp(a) and raising levels of “good” cholesterol, dietary supplementation of curcuminoids may contribute to lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Source: Panahi Y, Khalil N, Sahebi E, et al. Curcuminoids modify lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2017; 33: 1-5. DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.05.006

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Posted July 31, 2017.

References:

  1. Panahi Y, Hosseini MS, Khalili N, Naimi E, Majeed M, Sahebkar A. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcuminoid-piperine combination in subjects with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial and an updated meta-analysis. Clinical nutrition. 2015;34(6):1101-1108.
  2. Sahebkar A, Mohammadi A, Atabati A, et al. Curcuminoids modulate pro‐oxidant–antioxidant balance but not the immune response to heat shock protein 27 and oxidized LDL in obese individuals. Phytotherapy research. 2013;27(12):1883-1888.
  3. Panahi Y, Sahebkar A, Parvin S, Saadat A. A randomized controlled trial on the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin in patients with chronic sulphur mustard-induced cutaneous complications. Annals of clinical biochemistry. 2012;49(6):580-588.
  4. Na LX, Li Y, Pan HZ, et al. Curcuminoids exert glucose‐lowering effect in type 2 diabetes by decreasing serum free fatty acids: a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Molecular nutrition & food research. 2013;57(9):1569-1577.
  5. Sahebkar A. Why it is necessary to translate curcumin into clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome? Biofactors. 2013;39(2):197-208.
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