Curcumin May Improve Insulin Sensitivity in People with Metabolic Syndrome

A recent study suggests that curcumin supplements may raise levels of adiponectin and lower levels of leptin in people with metabolic syndrome. Adiponectin is a hormone that helps regulate insulin sensitivity and energy and leptin is the “satiety hormone,” informing the body when it is full.

Adiponectin levels are lower in obese people compared to lean people. They are also lower in association with insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. Leptin levels tend to increase in obesity.

Participants in the study included 117 people with metabolic syndrome who were given either 1000 mg of curcumin or a placebo daily for eight weeks. At the conclusion of the study, the curcumin group had a 77% increase in adiponectin levels as well as a non-significant reduction in leptin levels of 26%. They also noted an improved leptin to adiponectin ratio in the curcumin group.

Researchers from Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences in Iran, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Iran, Sabinsa Inc in New Jersey, and the University of Western Australia conducted the study. It was published online ahead of print on March 30, 2016, in the journal Nutrition.