Evidence supporting the use of: Curcumin
For the health condition: Metabolic Syndrome
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Curcumin, the primary active compound in turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been investigated for its potential role in managing Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), a cluster of conditions including insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and central obesity. The scientific interest in curcumin for MetS is grounded in its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid-modulating properties. Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have evaluated curcumin supplementation in individuals with MetS or its components. For example, a 2021 meta-analysis of RCTs (Panahi et al., 2021) found that curcumin supplementation significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, and waist circumference, while improving HDL cholesterol and blood pressure in subjects with MetS or related disorders. Mechanistically, curcumin is believed to modulate inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-α and IL-6), suppress oxidative stress, and improve insulin sensitivity—key factors implicated in MetS pathogenesis. However, the evidence is not without limitations. Many studies suffer from small sample sizes, short durations, or use curcumin formulations with enhanced bioavailability, which may not reflect effects of standard dietary turmeric. In summary, while curcumin is not a traditional remedy specifically for MetS, there is a growing body of scientific evidence (rated moderate, 3/5) suggesting it can favorably influence several metabolic risk factors. Nevertheless, larger and longer-term studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in this context.
Other ingredients used for Metabolic Syndrome
1-deoxynojirimycin12-methylcarnosic acid
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-desoxy-7-KETO-DHEA
4-hydroxyisoleucine
5,7-Dimethoxyflavone
6-Paradol
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
7-Keto-DHEA
Acacetin
Acai berry
Akkermansia muciniphila
Algae
algal oil
Algal protein
Alpha Glucans
Alpha methyl tetradecylthioacetic acid
Alpha phytosterol
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
anchovies
ankaflavin
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
antirrhinin
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
arabinoxylan
Arjunolic acid
Aronia melanocarpa
Ascophyllum nodosum
asparagus
astragaloside
Auricularia
avocado
bacillus subtilis
banaba
barley
bean
berberine
beta-glucan
beta-hydroxybutyrate
beta-sitosterol
betanin
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium longum
black garlic
Blakeslea trispora
blueberry
Brazil nut
Brussel sprouts
butyrate triglyceride
Calanus finmarchicus
California chia
campesterol
camu camu
capsiate
capsinoids
cardarine
carnosic acid
caterpillar mushroom
charantin
chia seed
Chitin-Glucan Complex
chlorogenic acid
chokeberry
chromium
cinnamon
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
corosolic acid
crocetin
Crypthecodinium
curcumin
cyanidin
cyanobacteria
cynaropicrin
Cystoseira canariensis
D-Pinitol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
dihydrocapsiate
dihydrolipoic acid
diosgenin
docosahexaenoic Acid
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
dragon fruit
Dunaliella
Ecklonia
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
evodiamine
fisetin
flavanols
flaxseed
Foxtail millet
fructan
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fucosterol
fucoxanthin
galactooligosaccharides
garbanzo bean
ginger
Ginsenosides
Glucan peptides
glucomannan
Glucoraphanin
Glucosinolates
guanidinopropionic acid (GPA )
guar gum
Guggulsterones
hydroxycitric acid
hydroxytyrosol
inulin
Irvingia gabonensis
Isoalantolactone
isomaltulose
Kamut
kidney beans
Konjac
krill oil
l-carnitine
Lactobacillus helveticus
Legume protein
Lentil
licorice root
lipstatin
lupin
maitake mushroom
mangiferin
maqui berry
Maslinic acid
Matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Momordicosides
Monacolin
Monounsaturated fat
Moringa
Mulberroside A
Naringenin
Naringin
Neoeriocitrin
nicotinamide riboside
Nobiletin
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
Oleoylethanolamide
Oligosaccharides
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
oolong tea
oyster mushroom
Palatinose
palmitoleic acid
peanut
Phaeophyceae
phlorizin
Phycocyanin
Phytoplankton
Pinitol
Pistachio
Pleurotus eryngii
polychitosamine
Polydatin
polysaccharides
polyunsaturated fat
pu-er tea
punicalagins
punicalin
punicic acid
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quinoa
Rebaudioside
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rye
Salacia
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
Sesamin
Sesamolin
Sinensetin
spirulina
Sulforaphane
Syringic acid
Tagatose
Tangeretin
Tanshinone
Tetradecylthioacetic acid
Theabrownin
Theaflavin
Thylakoid
tocotrienols
Trans-pterostilbene
turmeric
Tyrosol
Urolithin A
Vanadium
Vanadyl sulfate
vitamin C
vitamin D
wheat grass
Whey protein
Xanthohumol
xylooligosaccharides
Yacon
Zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
Other health conditions supported by curcumin
AbscessesAcne
Adenitis
Aging (prevention)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Angina
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Belching
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Body Building
Boils
Breast Lumps
Broken Bones
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Bruises (prevention)
Burns and Scalds
Bursitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Carbuncles
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Celiac Disease
Cervical Dysplasia
Chemical Poisoning
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colitis
Crohn's Disease
Depression
Diabetes
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Endometriosis
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Indigestion
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Pancreatitis
Pap Smear (abnormal)
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Spinal Disks
Stress
Ulcers
Wounds and Sores
Products containing curcumin
Designs For Health
C3 Curcumin Complex
Integrative Therapeutics
Curalieve
Thorne
Curcumin Phytosome 1000 mg Meriva 500-SF
Thorne
Curcumin Phytosome 1000 mg Meriva 500-SF
Thorne
Curcumin Phytosome 1000 mg Meriva 500-SF NSF
Thorne
Curcumin Phytosome 500 mg SR Meriva-SF
Douglas Laboratories
DIM ® Enhanced
Douglas Laboratories
DIM ® Enhanced
Thorne
EnteroMend NSF
Thorne
Joint Support Nutrients AR-Encap
Thorne
MediClear Plus
Thorne
Metabolic Health
Douglas Laboratories
Methlyated Resveratrol Plus
Designs For Health
Mitochondrial NRG™
Thorne
Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Thorne
Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Thorne
PolyResveratrol-SR
Pure Encapsulations
ResCu-SR®
Thorne
S.A.T.
Designs For Health
Senolytic Synergy
Designs For Health
Ultimate Antiox Full Spectrum
