SLU Research: Turmeric May Reduce Inflammation for Diabetic Patients

SLU Research: Turmeric May Reduce Inflammation for Diabetic Patients

A compound found in turmeric may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

In a recent paper published in Inflammopharmacology, Saint Louis University researchers and colleagues have found that curcumin, the main bioactive compound found in turmeric, could help reduce inflammation and harmful oxidative stress in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

"These biological processes play an important role in the development and progression of metabolic diseases, so reducing them may help support better metabolic health and potentially reduce insulin resistance," said Hossein Rafiei, Ph.D., assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics at Saint Louis University and lead author of the study.

Rafiei and colleagues analyzed results from 28 randomized clinical trials and found that curcumin supplementation was associated with improvements in markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Rafiei said that although curcumin is not a replacement for standard medical treatments, the findings suggest it may have potential as a complementary therapy alongside conventional approaches for managing metabolic conditions such as prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

"By helping reduce these biological processes that contribute to disease progression, curcumin may help improve the metabolic environment and potentially lower the risk of complications when combined with appropriate medical care and healthy lifestyle strategies," he said.

Rafiei's research broadly focuses on the health effects of naturally occurring compounds in many foods people eat. While not essential nutrients required for survival, he said growing scientific evidence suggests that such food bioactives (e.g., flavonoids, polyphenols) may help promote health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Curcumin has drawn a lot of attention because of its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in cell culture, animal models, and even humans. Many clinical trials have examined its potential health effects, but the results have been mixed, he said.

"In our study, we systematically reviewed and combined the evidence from many randomized clinical trials to better understand whether curcumin supplementation truly helps improve inflammation and oxidative stress in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes," Rafiei said.

Rafiei said he's encouraged by the findings, but more research is needed.

"Overall, the findings suggest that dietary bioactive compounds like curcumin may play a supportive role in metabolic health, although larger and well-designed clinical trials are still needed to confirm these benefits," Rafiei said.