Curcumin May Help Preserve Muscle Strength Loss Related to Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is characterized by progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength due to the aging process. A new study has found that supplementation with highly bioavailable curcumin may help improve muscle strength in older adults with sarcopenia 

Thirty adults who were diagnosed with sarcopenia participated in the study. They were given 500 mg of bioavailable curcumin or a placebo daily for 8 weeks. The researchers evaluated hand grip strength, weightlifting strength and the time and distance before feeling tired while cycling, walking, and climbing stairs.

Participants in the curcumin group saw a 1.43% increase in handgrip strength compared to the placebo group. They also saw a 6.08% increase in weightlifting capacity compared to a 4.54% decrease in the placebo group. In addition, participants in the curcumin group saw a 5.51% increase in distance covered before feeling tired, compared to a 2.29% increase in the placebo group. They also saw a 1.15% reduction in time taken to walk a measured distance, whereas the placebo group saw a 2.02% increase.

The study was conducted by researchers from BioAgile Therapeutics.It was published online ahead of print on December 7, 2020 in The Journal of Medicinal Food.