Curcumin is used for a variety of different things, including food coloring, flavoring, cosmetic ingredients, and even in herbal supplements. When used in foods, it provides a bright yellow-orange color.
The latest research findings uncovered that curcumin may have the potential to protect the liver from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and may even be a form of treatment. In rat studies, researchers uncovered that curcumin reduced hepatocellular inflammation along with providing other benefits.
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The researchers randomly assigned 48 rats to one of four groups to consume a typical Western diet for eight weeks, a Western diet enriched with added curcumin for eight weeks, a Western diet for 12 weeks, and a Western diet for eight weeks followed by the addition of curcumin for four more weeks.
The rats were exposed to pure curcuminoids and essential oils from turmeric.
Both prevention and treatment groups of NAFLD had lower disease activity scores. The treatment group also saw a reduction in mRNA expression of certain inflammatory cytokines along with significantly less hepatic steatosis – fat buildup in the liver.
Antioxidants found in curcumin were found to improve oxidative stress.
Shavon Jackson-Michel explained in the press release, “A nearly two-point reduction in the NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) is quite significant for a plant-based ingredient like BCM-95. This is especially significant since there are few conventional treatments for NAFLD, a dysfunction believed to affect some 30 percent of the population.”
Curcumin also affected fibroblast growth-factor 21 (FGF-21), which is a known plasma marker of NAFLD development. There were lower levels of FGF-21 signaling protein beta-klotha in the liver among the prevention group and not in the control group. The treatment group had even significantly less FGF-21 than the control group.
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The researchers wrote, “Here, we show that 12 weeks of [Western diet] caused significant elevations in FGF-21 levels, indicative of FGF-21 resistance, whereas curcumin treatment attenuated this increase. This suggests that curcumin may help reverse FGF-21 resistance, a finding supported by others.”
Future studies on humans are required to replicate these effects and determine whether curcumin should be used as a preventative and treatment method for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. NAFLD is a preventable condition as long as you adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
Also read:
- What causes liver pain?
- What causes liver pain after drinking?
- Natural foods for liver repair and liver cleansing
- NAFLD diet plan: Dietary guidelines for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Devon Andre has been involved in the health and dietary supplement industry for a number of years. Devon has written extensively for Bel Marra Health. He has a Bachelor of Forensic Science from the University of Windsor, and went on to complete a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh. Devon is keenly aware of trends and new developments in the area of health and wellness. He embraces an active lifestyle combining diet, exercise and healthy choices. By working to inform readers of the options available to them, he hopes to improve their health and quality of life.
