Acute Administration of Bioavailable Curcumin Alongside Ferrous Sulphate Supplements Does Not Impair Iron Absorption in Healthy Adults in a Randomised Trial

Abstract

Ferrous sulphate (FS) is a cost effective, readily available iron supplement for iron deficiency (ID). The pro-oxidant effect of oral ferrous iron is known to induce inflammation, causing gastric side-effects and resulting in poor compliance. Curcumin is a potent antioxidant and has also been shown to exhibit iron chelation in-vitro, although it is not established whether these effects are retained in-vivo. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the influence of a formulated bioavailable form of curcumin (HydroCurcTM; 500 mg) on acute iron absorption and status in a double blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial recruiting 155 healthy participants (79 males; 26.42 years ± 0.55 and 76 females; 25.82 years ± 0.54). Participants were randomly allocated to five different treatment groups: iron and curcumin placebo (FS0_Plac), low dose (18 mg) iron and curcumin placebo (FS18_Plac), low dose iron and curcumin (FS18_Curc), high dose (65 mg) iron and curcumin placebo (FS65_Plac), and high dose iron and curcumin (FS65_Curc). Participants were provided with the supplements according to their relevant treatment groups at baseline (0 min), and blood collection was carried out at 0 min and at 180 min following supplementation. In the treatment groups, significant difference was observed in mean serum iron between baseline (0 min) and at end-point (180 min) (F (1, 144) = 331.9, p < 0.0001) with statistically significant intra-group increases after 180 min (p < 0.0001) in the FS18_Plac (8.79 µmol/L), FS18_Curc (11.41 µmol/L), FS65_Plac (19.09 µmol/L), and FS65_Curc (16.39 µmol/L) groups. A significant difference was also observed between the two time points in serum TIBC levels and in whole blood haemoglobin (HGB) in the treatment groups, with a significant increase (1.55%/2.04 g/L) in HGB levels from baseline to end-point observed in the FS65_Curc group (* p < 0.05). All groups receiving iron demonstrated an increase in transferrin saturation (TS%) in a dose-related manner, demonstrating that increases in serum iron are translated into increases in physiological iron transportation. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that regardless of ferrous dose, formulated curcumin in the form of HydroCurc™ does not negatively influence acute iron absorption in healthy humans.

Co-Administration of Iron and Bioavailable Curcumin Reduces Levels of Systemic Markers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in a Placebo-Controlled Randomised Study

“…We recently demonstrated that HydroCurc™ does not adversely affect oral ferrous sulphate absorption in a human RCT [ 43 ], therefore, any difference in systemic biological responses/biomarkers in the current study are unlikely to be caused by the availability or levels of serum iron between treatment groups. Taken together, the results suggest that the presence of curcumin in combination with iron leads to the majority of the observed decreases in inflammation-related markers, compared to iron alone.…”

“…Whole turmeric is known to have similar effects in humans, with 20–90% reduction in iron absorption [ 42 ]. Although the mechanisms of iron and curcumin interaction and their effect on the human physiology are not yet well understood, a recent study showed that a formulated bioavailable form of curcumin had no negative impact on acute iron absorption [ 43 ]. This formulation (HydroCurc™) consisted of 80% curcumin, 17% demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and 3% bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), ~85% total curcuminoids, entrapped in a patented delivery system (LipiSperse ® ).…”

Evaluation of Curcumin, Piperine, and Ferrous Sulphate Combination Potential in the Adjuvant-induced Arthritis Model in Male Wistar Rats

“…Previous studies showed that acute administration of bioavailable curcumin alongside Ferrous Sulphate supplements does not impair iron absorption thereby helping in tackling anaemia in RA patients. [38] The RBC count performed on 0, 1 st , 3 rd , 7 th , 14 th , 21 st , 28 th days suggests that ferrous sulphate was efficient in increasing the RBC count of the male Wistar rats. Also, the combination group showed a comparatively increase RBC count than the standard suggests that it could be used for better management of RBC levels in the blood of arthritic patients.…”

Role of Turmeric and Curcumin in Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases: Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials

“…Another study showed that Theracurmin enhanced the absorption of curcumin compared to curcumin powder in healthy adults . Several other studies involving the administration of curcumin and its formulations in healthy humans also showed high absorption and bioavailability. ,,− Moreover, curcumin supplementation in combination with ferrous sulfate was shown to enhance serum levels of iron, total iron binding capacity, and hemoglobin in healthy subjects . Furthermore, the administration of curcumin to healthy patients was found to be safe and well tolerated. ,,− The health-promoting effect of the curcumin formulation Longvida was evaluated in healthy middle-aged individuals.…”

“…59,126,144−151 Moreover, curcumin supplementation in combination with ferrous sulfate was shown to enhance serum levels of iron, total iron binding capacity, and hemoglobin in healthy subjects. 152 Furthermore, the administration of curcumin to healthy patients was found to be safe and well tolerated. 45,128,153−155 The healthpromoting effect of the curcumin formulation Longvida was evaluated in healthy middle-aged individuals.…”