Curcumin for Weight Loss, Obesity and Insulin Sensitivity

Taking curcumin for weight loss may support a comprehensive weight loss plan, which should include a healthy diet and exercise.

However, there are no clinical trials that suggest that taking curcumin supplements alone can result in weight loss.

Curcumin may help modulate blood sugar levels, reduce insulin resistance, support healthy cholesterol levels and reduce the severity of inflammation. These characteristics may help decrease the risk of obesity-related chronic diseases, such as type II diabetes.

Curcumin’s effects on weight loss and obesity have been the subject of some scientific investigation, though there are limited human research trials. It has been observed in animal studies to induce certain anti-obesity effects (such as controlling blood glucose levels and supporting heart health) that may support healthy weight loss.

Curcumin

Anti-Inflammatory

Joints

Health

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Effective anti-inflammatory supplement
• Shown to improve joint functionality
• Anti-oxidant to supper general health

Dosage:

Between 1 - 3 g per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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What are Curcumin Supplements?

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is the bioactive constituent of turmeric (Curcuma longa).

Turmeric is made from the rhizomes (underground stems) of the plant Curcuma longa. These rhizomes are boiled, dried and ground to produce turmeric, a staple spice of Indian cuisine.

In addition to its long history of culinary use, turmeric has been used for millennia in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine to treat liver disorder, digestive conditions, inflammation and infection.

Contemporary research has revealed that curcumin is the bioactive constituent of turmeric. Curcumin exhibits a number of useful properties: It has been observed to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer and anti-lipid effects.

Curcumin and turmeric have been the subject of extensive scientific investigation. In particular, a great deal of research has been conducted on the use of curcumin in cancer treatment and prevention.

There is growing interest in the use of curcumin for weight reduction and fat loss. While this supplement may have health benefits for obese individuals, it has not been found to promote weight loss on its own. However, it may inhibit the formation of fat tissue and may have a positive impact on the prevention of obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Health Issues Related to Obesity

According to the latest statistics from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 34 % (78.6 million) of Americans are obese. Being obese increases the risk of developing heart disease, type II diabetes and some types of cancer.

It also costs a lot of money at both the individual and national level: individuals who are obese spend $1,429 USD more, on average, for medical expenses than individuals with a healthy weight; obesity is estimated to cost $147 billion USD (2008) on a national level. [1]

Curcumin as a Treatment for Obesity

Research using laboratory studies and animal obesity models indicate curcumin may help mitigate the inflammation and metabolic disorders associated with obesity.

Obesity is a complicated condition that is dictated by a number of factors, including diet, exercise, genes and environment. But at the heart of obesity is an imbalance between the amount of energy consumed (via food) and the amount of energy expended through regular physiological functions and exercise.

When there is an imbalance between energy consumed and energy used, the body stores the excess energy in adipose tissue, or what we commonly call fat or fat cells.

Researchers once thought that these fat cells or adipocytes were passive energy storage units, but new research has illustrated that these cells also release a number of different compounds that can contribute to chronic inflammation and insulin resistance.

This may be part of the molecular explanation for why individuals with obesity often suffer from pro-inflammatory conditions, such as type II diabetes.

Curcumin is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory activities. It also modulates a number of cellular signals that have been observed to lower insulin levels, reduce the incidence of insulin resistance, and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

The results of both laboratory and animal experiments have been promising, but further human studies are necessary before the effects of curcumin are fully understood. For instance, there are contradictory data about the effects of curcumin on cholesterol levels: several studies indicate it lowers cholesterol levels while a six-month, double-blind placebo-controlled study found it did not.

In general, researchers are hopeful that curcumin may provide an option for the treatment of conditions related to obesity.

Curcumin for Weight Loss Results

There are no human studies available to suggest that curcumin causes weight loss.

Curcumin may be part of a healthy weight-loss plan, but should not be relied upon as the sole approach to weight loss and weight management.

Studies on mice indicate that curcumin inhibits fat cell angiogenesis (blood vessel formation) and adipogenesis (the synthesis of fat cells) in specific situations. In some cases, the formation of mature fat cells was inhibited and cell death increased.

In this mouse study, curcumin supplementation was associated with reduced weight gain, decreased fat levels, and the alteration of a number of markers associated with inflammation and risk of insulin resistance.

In a separate study employing an obese animal model, using curcumin for weight loss was shown to reduce both the content and the weight of fat cells in adipose tissue. Reductions in blood-glucose, leptin, insulin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were also noted.

Research shows that turmeric and curcumin are both effective at modulating numerous gene products that affect fat storage, inflammation and cellular signals that affect insulin sensitivity.

The sum of available evidence has some researchers concluding that curcumin may be useful in “clinical practice for the treatment and prevention of obesity-related chronic diseases.” [2]

Negative Curcumin Effects

Both curcumin and turmeric are generally well tolerated by otherwise healthy individuals. Mild side effects of curcumin supplementation may include nausea, gastrointestinal upset, bloating and diarrhea.

A joint report of the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization sets the recommended maximum of curcumin supplementation at 0-1 mg/kg body weight. Studies have used up to 12 g per day of curcumin. [2]

Curcumin may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Be sure to speak with your doctor before taking curcumin for weight loss results or any other purpose.

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