Effects of Supplementation with Curcuminoids on Dyslipidemia in Obese Patients: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Dyslipidemia is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is also a common feature of obesity. Curcumin is a bioactive phytochemical with well-known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties. The present study investigated the hypolipidemic activity of curcumin in obese individuals. Participants (n=30) were treated with curcuminoids (1g/day), or placebo in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, together with anthropometric parameters and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured before and after each treatment period. Anthropometric parameters including weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, arm circumference, and body fat remained statistically unchanged by the end of trial (p>0.05). As for the lipid profile parameters, serum triglycerides were significantly reduced following curcumin supplementation (p=0.009). However, curcuminoids were not found to affect serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p>0.05). In summary, the findings of the present study indicated that curcuminoid supplementation (1g/day for 30days) leads to a significant reduction in serum triglycerides concentrations but do not have a significant influence on other lipid profile parameters as well as body mass index and body fat. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.