PP56 - Six-week supplementation with highly bioavailable curcuminoids is safe but does not alter blood lipids and inflammation markers in humans

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the leading risk factors for morbidity and mortality in the Western world. Due to the fact that conventional medications possess side effects, there is large interest to find alternatives. Curcuminoids are lipophilic phytochemicals from the plant curcuma longa . Besides their reported antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities, they may also be able to decrease blood cholesterol when regularly consumed. Therefore, we investigated, in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study, the effects of curcuminoids, in form of a bioavailability-improved formulation (micelle), on lipid and inflammation markers. Subjects (25 women, 17 men) with moderately elevated concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and C-reactive protein (CRP) consumed 240 mg curcuminoids/d as micelles or placebo for six weeks, respectively, interrupted by a four week washout phase. Blood was collected at the beginning, after three and six weeks of each intervention and concentrations of curcuminoids, triacylglycerols, total, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, CRP, interleukine-6 and liver and kidney function markers were determined. In spite of detectable plasma curcuminoid concentrations, lipid and inflammation parameters were not altered by curcuminoid supplementation and safety markers remained in the reference ranges. Thus, daily supplementation of otherwise healthy subjects with slightly elevated blood lipids and inflammation markers with highly bioavailable curcuminoids is safe, but does not alter blood lipids and inflammatory status.