New research recently published in the Nutrition Journal found Curcumin Longa (Turmeric) helps in lowering C-Reactive Protein Levels (an inflammatory marker) and improved mental health scores in individuals not in the placebo group.
90 healthy but overweight individuals between the ages of 50 and 69 participated in this double blind placebo controlled study. The participants were separated into 2 groups. Group 1 participants took 2 capsules of Curcumin Longa (Turmeric) once a day while Group 2 participants took 2 capsules of a placebo one time per day. The study lasted 12 weeks. Participants had their C-reactive protein levels taken at baseline and again at the end of the study. BMI levels were also measured. Participants also completed Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaires at baseline and again at the end of the study period.
Researchers found serum levels of C-reactive protein were significantly lower in the group supplementing with the Curcumin Longa Extract (Turmeric). Additionally the supplement group showed significant improvements in the SF-36 subscale score for mental health and the POMS score for anger and hostility.
Researchers found additional animal studies supporting the benefits seen in this study that supplementing Turmeric could inhibit body weight gain and visceral fat accumulation in diet induced obese rats and concluded that Turmeric Supplementation could indeed inhibit the accumulation of visceral fat which would then result in improvements in BMI levels.
Inflammation marker reductions suggest that Turmeric Extract may reduce systemic low grade inflammation associated with obesity and aging and may help decrease the risks of chronic inflammatory diseases in these groups.
Since mental health problems may be associated with systemic inflammation as well as neuroinflammation, Researchers concluded supplementing Turmeric Extract may improve negative mood states and improve mental health.
Further Studies are needed.
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