Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin supplementation alone and in combination with aerobic training on body composition, glycemic variables, serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipid profiles in overweight women.
Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 40 healthy sedentary overweight females (aged 30-45 years with body mass index [BMI] of 25-30 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to four groups of 10 subjects each: curcumin supplementation (Cur), placebo (Pla), placebo+aerobic training (Pla+Tra), curcumin supplementation+aerobic training (Cur+Tra). Curcumin or placebo capsules (500 mg/day) were administered for 8 weeks.
Results: During the intervention, Cur group showed significant reductions in weight, BMI and fasting blood glucose level; Cur+Tra group decreased waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, serum insulin level, low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein ratio, and total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio and increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The between-groups analysis indicated increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the Cur and Cur+Tra groups compared to the Pla group. The estimated marginal means of serum CRP were significantly higher in Pla+Tra group than in the Cur and Cur+Tra groups.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that the combination of curcumin supplementation with aerobic training more effectively improves glycemic and lipidemic statuses than curcumin supplementation or aerobic training alone.
Keywords: C-reactive protein; Curcumin; Exercise; Insulin resistance; Lipids; Overweight.