Effects of curcumin on cardiovascular risk factors in obese and overweight adolescent girls: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Obese adolescents are at higher risk of development of cardiovascular risk factors and obesity in later life. Dietary intake of antioxidants, particularly curcumin, as an active ingredient of turmeric extract, may have noticeable effects on obesity and its important complications such as cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of curcumin supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese female adolescents. DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial; Pediatric Cardiovascular Research Center, Isfahan, Iran. METHODS: 60 adolescent girls (aged 13-18 years) were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or intervention. The adolescents were asked to consume one 500 mg tablet per day, containing either standardized 95% turmeric extract or placebo, and to undergo a weight maintenance or a mild weight loss diet for 10 weeks. Anthropometric and biochemical indices were assessed at the baseline and the end of the intervention. RESULTS: Curcumin supplementation had beneficial effects on body mass index (P = 0.019), waist circumference (P = 0.008), hip circumference (P = 0.030), high-density lipoprotein levels (P = 0.042) and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio (P = 0.021). However, in univariate analysis of covariance, no significant differences were found between the intervention and placebo groups after 10 weeks of supplementation (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prescription of curcumin supplementation along with use of a slight weight loss diet might have beneficial effects on some cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese female adolescents. Larger clinical trials with higher curcumin doses and longer duration are needed to confirm the results from the current study. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20171107037302N1

Biochemistry, Safety, Pharmacological Activities, and Clinical Applications of Turmeric: A Mechanistic Review

“…ere are so many preclinical researches on turmeric use for a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, cardiac hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, druginduced cardiotoxicity, and cardiomyopathy, and diabetes mellitus related cardiovascular problems. Also, there are a number of clinical trials about the efficacy of curcumin on cardiovascular risk factors [126][127][128].…”

Curcumin supplementation in pediatric patients: A systematic review of current clinical evidence

“…In another part of this study, curcumin supplementation reduced triglyceride/ high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) ratio, waist and hip circumference, and it increased HDL‐C and insulin levels (Saraf‐Bank et al, 2019a; Saraf‐Bank et al, 2019b).…”

“…In SarafBank et al study, 60 overweight and obese girls (aged 13–18 years) were included and randomly assigned to receive curcumin (500 mg daily) or placebo along with a weight loss diet for 10 weeks. Compared with placebo, curcumin supplementation improved inflammatory and oxidative stress markers including IL‐6, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and hs‐CRP (Saraf‐Bank et al, 2019a; Saraf‐Bank et al, 2019b).…”

Anti-Obesity Effects of Polyphenol Intake: Current Status and Future Possibilities

“…A randomized control trial conducted by Di Pierro et al [68], among overweight people affected by metabolic syndrome, showed the ability of curcumin to reduce weight and omental adipose tissue. Curcumin supplementation had beneficial effects on body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, high-density lipoprotein levels, and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio in overweight and obese female adolescents [69] (Table 1). Overall, these research studies show that curcumin applies anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory actions in part through adipose tissue, by decreasing adiposity, lipid storage, and enhancing lipid oxidation [70].…”