Curcumin May Reduce Obesity Risk

Two months ago, we reported on a new study from the University of Michigan that lead to a better understanding of curcumin's immune-boosting benefits. A new study by a group of researchers from Tufts University has found that curcumin may reduce the development of adipose (fat) tissue.

Curcumin is the yellow pigment that makes the spice turmeric, and the many Asian dishes containing it, yellow. Turmeric has been used as both food and medicine in the Ayurvedic tradition for centuries, if not millennia.

In order for new fat tissue to develop, angiogenesis (the development of new blood vessels) must occur first. Previous research has shown that polyphenols in general, and curcumin in particular, have anti-angiogenic activity. It is this anti-angiogenic activity that is believed to be the mechanism by which curcumin inhibits cancer tumor growth. Drawing on this, the researchers set out to determine if curcumin would inhibit adipogenesis (new fat tissue growth) in obese mice.

The mice were given either a standard diet, a high fat diet, or high fat diet plus 500mg of curcumin per kilogram of body weight for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, the mice given the curcumin showed reduced body weight gain despite food intake being the same as the other groups. There was also a reduction in the development of adipose tissue and microvessel density in adipose tissue. Additionally, improvements in a number of related enzyme levels and significantly lower serum cholesterol levels were noted.

The researchers concluded that "the curcumin suppression of angiogenesis in adipose tissue together with its effect on lipid metabolism in adipocytes may contribute to lower body fat and body weight gain. Our findings suggest that dietary curcumin may have a potential benefit in preventing obesity." It is not known if curcumin will have the same effect in humans, however curcumin is an interesting compound with many potential benefits.

Whole Health offers curcumin in our Anti-Inflammatory Support formula, a synergistic blend of seven ingredients that may help reduce inflammation in the body and improve overall health. Learn more about curcumin and our Anti-Inflammatory Support here

1. Ejaz, A., D. Wu, et al. (2009). "Curcumin inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and angiogenesis and obesity in C57/BL mice." J Nutr 139(5): 919-25.