Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric lowers inflammation and blood sugar, according to new research from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Iran.
According to the American Heart Association, about 34 percent of Americans have metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is used to describe a group of symptoms. These symptoms include abdominal obesity, low HDL cholesterol levels (good cholesterol), high triglycerides, and high blood sugar. All of these are major risk factors for heart disease.
These symptoms all have one issue in common: inflammation.
Chronic inflammation is linked to metabolic disorder, according to research published in the journal Mediators of Inflammation. The researchers noted: “It has become evident that the inflammatory condition that is associated with obesity and overweight plays an important part in the aetiology of the metabolic syndrome and largely contributes to the related pathological outcomes.”
The research team from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences set out to find one if turmeric, one of the most potent spices in the world, reduces symptoms of metabolic disorder.
“Two key effects of curcumin that account for most of the therapeutic effects of this compound are its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties,” said Amirhossein Sahebkar, researcher at Mashhad University and lead author of the study.
The researchers recruited 117 participants with metabolic syndrome. One half took one gram of turmeric daily for 2 months, and the other half was on a placebo.
The results showed that the group who consumed turmeric had lower inflammation and lower blood sugar levels. In constrast, the placebo group had high blood sugar levels and increased inflammation after the 2 months.
“The findings of our studies, along with clinical findings reported by other groups, indicate the usefulness of daily use of curcumin supplement for the prevention and treatment of several diseases,” Sahebkar said.
The study showing that turmeric lowers inflammation and blood sugar was published in the journal Clinical Nutrition.
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REFERENCES:
1. “Curcumin May Help Lower Your Inflammation.” Mercola.com. Mercola.com, 9 Feb. 2015. Web. 09 Mar. 2015.
2. “About Metabolic Syndrome.” American Heart Association. American Heart Association, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2015.
3. “Curcumin May Help Lower Inflammation in Metabolic Syndrome.” Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 28 Jan. 2015. Web. 09 Mar. 2015.
4. “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. Clinical Nutrition, 12 Nov. 2014. Web. 9 Mar. 2015.
5. “Chronic Inflammation in Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome.” Hindawi Publishing Corporation. Mediators of Inflammation, 28 Dec. 2009. Web. 09 Mar. 2015.
