Curcumin and/or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation reduces insulin resistance and blood lipids in individuals with high risk of type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial

Lipids Health Dis. 2019 Jan 26;18(1):31. doi: 10.1186/s12944-019-0967-x.

Abstract

Background: Lowering insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia may not only enhance glycaemic control but also preserve the β-cell function, reducing the overall risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). The current study was aimed to evaluate the effects of curcumin and/or long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn-3PUFA) supplementation on glycaemic control and blood lipid levels in individuals at high risk of developing T2D.

Methods: This was a 2 × 2 factorial, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Participants were allocated to either double placebo (PL) or curcumin plus placebo matching for LCn-3PUFA (CC), or LCn-3PUFA plus placebo matching for curcumin (FO), or curcumin plus LCn-3PUFA (CC-FO) for twelve weeks. Primary outcome of the trial was glycaemic indices (HbA1C, fasting glucose and insulin). Insulin resistance and sensitivity is measured using homeostatic model assessment model.

Results: A total of sixty-four participants (PL, n = 16; CC, n = 15; FO, n = 17, CC-FO, n = 16) were included in the final analysis. Post-intervention, HbA1c and fasting glucose remained unchanged across all the groups. Insulin sensitivity was significantly improved in the CC supplemented group (32.7 ± 10.3%) compared to PL (P = 0.009). FO and CC-FO tended to improve insulin sensitivity by 14.6 ± 8.5% and 8.8 ± 7.7% respectively, but the difference did not reach significance. Triglyceride levels were further increased in the PL (26.9 ± 7.4%), however, CC and CC-FO supplementation reduced the triglycerides, FO resulted in the greatest reduction in triglycerides (- 16.4 ± 4.5%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Reduction in insulin resistance and triglycerides by curcumin and LCn-3PUFA appears to be attractive strategies for lowering the risk of developing T2D. However, this study failed to demonstrate complimentary benefits of curcumin and LCn-3PUFA on glycaemic control.

Trail registration: ACTRN12615000559516 .

Keywords: Curcumin; Dyslipidaemia; Insulin sensitivity; Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; Randomised controlled trial.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Curcumin / administration & dosage*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Fasting
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance / genetics
  • Lipids / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Insulin
  • Lipids
  • Triglycerides
  • Curcumin