Curcumin May Help Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Markers

Lipid peroxidation is oxidative damage that affects the cells and is caused by oxidative stress. A new study has found that supplementation with curcumin may help decrease oxidative stress and improve gut microbiota composition in people with chronic kidney dysfunction.

Participants in the study included 24 adults with chronic kidney disease and 20 healthy adults who acted as controls. Participants with chronic kidney disease were given 1,000 mg of curcumin daily for 6 months. The researchers evaluated oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut microbiota composition at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.

Participants in the curcumin group saw an 18% decrease in lipid peroxidation (an indicator of oxidative stress) at 3 months and a 25% decrease at 6 months and their levels were significantly lower than those in the control group. They also saw significant decreases in levels of inflammation markers.

Participants in the curcumin group also saw a change in gut microbial diversity. Specifically, they saw in increase in the abundance of three protective bacterial species and a decrease in one harmful bacterial species.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Università degli Studi di Milano. The study was published on January 5, 2022 in the journal Nutrients.