Using Verdure Sciences’ Longvida Optimized Curcumin product, researchers from the University of Colorado report that a daily 2,000 mg dose was also associated with a 34% increase in brachial artery flow-mediation dilation (FMDba - a measure of blood flow and vascular health), compared to a placebo.
“Our findings indicate that 12 weeks of curcumin supplementation improves EDD in middle-aged and older adults and this is mediated, in part, by an increase in [the vasodilatory and vascular protective molecule, nitric oxide] NO bioavailability,” they wrote in The Gerontologist.
Mainstream
Curcumin/turmeric supplements finally tipped over into the mainstream last year. According to a report published in the American Botanical Council’s HerbalGram, sales of herbal dietary supplements with turmeric/curcumin as the primary ingredient grew by 26.2% in 2013 to take the top spot in the natural channel.
The science has continued to grow, too, with new studies supporting the potential brain, cardiovascular, joint, and muscle benefits of the ingredient.
Study details
The new study included 29 people aged between 45-74 randomly assigned to receive either curcumin supplements (Longvida) or placebo for 12 weeks.
Results showed that, in addition to the increases in FMDba, curcumin supplementation also increased brachial artery infusions of acetylcholine (FBFach) by 44%. Acetylcholine is reported to relax blood vessels and release NO from the endothelium. Increases in NO bioavailability were also recorded by the researchers.
On the other hand, no significant changes in FBFach or NO bioavailability were observed in the placebo group, said the researchers.
On the other hand, no change was recorded in either group for conduit and resistance artery endothelium-independent dilation, they added, which suggested an endothelium-specific effect of curcumin.
Source: The Gerontologist
Volume 55, Supplement 2, Page 195, doi:10.1093/geront/gnv554.01
“Biomarkers of aging and age-associated disease: Curcumin supplement improves vascular endothelial function in middle-aged and older adults”
Authors: J.R. Santos-Parker, et al.