Effect of Different Curcuminoid Supplement Dosages on Total In Vivo Antioxidant Capacity and Cholesterol Levels of Healthy Human Subjects

Abstract

The impact of consuming curcuminoids containing curcumin at 500 mg/day and 6 g/day for 7 days on plasma antioxidant capacity and serum cholesterol level were determined by using vitamin E 200 IU/day consumption as a comparison. Group A and group B subjects consumed 500 mg and 6 g curcumin, respectively, but group C subjects consumed vitamin E 200 IU. By using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, it was found that plasma antioxidant capacity of group A rose from a baseline of 13% to 24% on day 1 and day 7, as against a 19-20% increase for group B. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly decreased after curcumin treatment at 500 mg/day. By consuming vitamin E, both ORAC values and plasma α-tocopherol concentrations were significantly increased, but only very slight responses on serum cholesterol or triglyceride levels were observed. It is therefore suggested that curcumin supplement would not be appropriate for healthy people except for reducing serum cholesterol or triglyceride levels. The dosage of a daily curcumin supplement at 500 mg is more effective than 6 g, although vitamin E is also considered to be an effective antioxidant supplement.

Lipid‐Lowering Effects of Curcumin in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial

“…In this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, consuming curcumin (turmeric root extract) 1890 mg/day significantly alters serum lipid profiles in metabolic syndrome patients. This is consistent to previous reports of cholesterol‐lowering effects in animals and humans (Soni and Kuttan, ; Ramirez‐Bosca et al ., ; Pungcharoenkul and Thongnopnua, ; Hu et al ., ; Sahebkar et al ., ; Zingg et al ., ) but contrary to other reports (Baum et al ., ; Alwi et al ., ).…”

Diverse effects of a low dose supplement of lipidated curcumin in healthy middle aged people

“…In opposition to this proposition, one study finds cholesterol lowering by 500 mg curcumin/day in relatively healthy people. However, this study lasted just 1 week [8]. In one other study [35], curcumin failed to lower either cholesterol or triglyceride readings.…”

“…At least one study has tried a much lower dose of curcumin, but this study uses whole turmeric products that cannot really be called a concentrated curcumin extract ie [7]. A few studies have also tried 500 mg curcumin/day as concentrated extract ie [8,9]. Yet, this dose is still fairly high and has not always been given without another active agent ie [9].…”

“…Nearly all of the previous human studies on curcumin extracts have studied people with established health problems. One exception is a study on 500 mg curcumin/day in relatively healthy people, but the intervention lasted just 1 week [8]. More studies of healthy people are needed because the curcumin effects seen in cell cultures and experimental animals could reduce the risk of diseases not yet present.…”

Clinical efficacy of the co-administration of Turmeric and Black seeds (Kalongi) in metabolic syndrome – A double blind randomized controlled trial – TAK-MetS trial

“…15 With the availability of curcumin, the main constituent of Turmeric, most of the studies have used curcumin instead of whole Turmeric. Only one study was found on Turmeric, which reported an increase in post-prandial serum insulin secretion in healthy subjects with a single dose of 6 g. 21 Other studies on curcumin showed that curcumin at 500 mg for one week reduced cholesterol and triglycerides as compared to vitamin E, 30 while Turmeric extract (20 mg curcumin) improved lipids in healthy subjects in 30 days. 31 Curcumin 150 mg twice daily for 8 weeks compared to atorvastatin 10 mg or placebo had a favorable effect on endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory cytokines.…”