Turmeric reduces liver fat in obese diabetic individuals

METABOLIC dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a liver disease that affects individuals with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, obesity, or excess weight.

Now, in a new study, researchers suggested that curcumin may offer a natural therapeutic option to support diabetes and liver disease management in individuals with NAFLD.

According to a 12-month randomised controlled experiment carried out in Thailand, curcumin administration can dramatically lower inflammation and liver fat buildup in obese people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

The study that was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that individuals who received curcumin also had improved blood sugar control, oxidative stress markers, and lipid profiles compared to those who received a placebo.

Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric, which is known by several names in local Nigerian languages. The turmeric plant or spice itself has different names in major Nigerian languages — Atalẹ pupa or Atalẹ ajọ (Yoruba); Gangamau, magina, turi, or kurkur (Hausa); and Ntu ntu or nwandumo (Igbo).

In Nigeria, turmeric is used traditionally for treating issues from liver ailments, ulcers, and arthritis to skin problems, digestive issues (like bloating, gas, and poor appetite), and respiratory infections (like colds and flu).

It’s applied in pastes for wounds and bruises, mixed with milk for general wellness, and used in teas, acting as a digestive aid, immune booster, and natural remedy for pain and inflammation, with modern research validating many of these traditional uses.

For the study, the researchers recruited 227 obese adults with type 2 diabetes, a group at high risk of developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This is a condition caused by excessive fat in the liver.

Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 1500 mg of curcumin daily or a placebo in capsule form for 12 months. These capsules were manufactured by the Government Pharmaceutical Organization of Thailand.

The study’s aim was to determine whether curcumin could reduce liver steatosis or fat accumulation. The attenuation parameters (CAP) were measured at baseline and at the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th months of the study.

After 12 months, the curcumin group showed a significant reduction in liver steatosis, from 227 dB/m at baseline to 173 dB/m. In contrast, the placebo group saw an increase from 230 dB/m to 259 dB/m. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects were also recorded at the end of the trial.

The supplementation of curcumin also showed a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a biomarker of oxidative stress. The curcumin group reported significantly higher levels of total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activity compared to the placebo group.

Likewise, it reduced triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C levels, and HbA1c levels – a marker of diabetes progression. In terms of blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity increased while insulin resistance decreased.

Researchers also found that curcumin supplementation significantly reduced non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels compared to the placebo.

Anthropometric measures such as body mass index and waist circumference were also significantly lower in the curcumin group at the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th month intervals.

Researchers suggest that curcumin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may reduce oxidative damage to liver cells, in turn reducing fat accumulation in the liver, and possibly slow the progression of liver diseases like MASLD.

They found that curcumin may be a safe and effective additional drug for treating hepatic steatosis in obese patients with type 2 diabetes because curcumin supplementation at 1500 mg/day was well accepted and only little gastrointestinal pain was noted.

The researchers, however, recommended that future research compare curcumin’s effects with existing MASLD treatments, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors, as well as evaluate curcumin’s effectiveness across larger populations, different dose regimens, and longer follow-up periods.

Turmeric and its components, including curcumin, have been the subject of scientific studies for pain relief. Some research results show that people who have osteoarthritis reported less joint pain when eating turmeric in recipes.

A few small trials have also examined the benefits of turmeric for dementia, depression, and mood disorders. Turmeric may also help with anxiety, degenerative eye diseases, blood cholesterol, and kidney function, according to research.

Moreover, some studies caution that as wonderful as turmeric’s nutritional benefits can be, more curcumin is not necessarily better, and too much can be risky.

For example, taking supplements containing turmeric may raise your risk of kidney stones, particularly if the condition runs in your family. The amounts of curcumin found in supplements are far higher than those found in foods flavoured with the spice or in turmeric tea.

With that in mind, incorporating the spice regularly into your meals can safely boost its intake.  Likewise, combining the spice with black pepper may help increase your body’s ability to absorb turmeric’s beneficial compounds.

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