Turmeric's medicinal potential in fighting the obesity epidemic has garnered interest from many in the scientific community. A March 2009 study published by researchers at Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, or USDA HNRCA, found that extracts of turmeric may help combat obesity. Curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric and curry spice, inhibited fat tissue growth, reducing weight gain and body fat of mice fed dietary curcumin. If replicated successfully in human trials, dietary curcumin may help prevent or treat obesity in humans.
Curcumin
Curcumin, turmeric's main phytochemical compound, may prevent weight gain by suppressing fatty tissue growth. In the 12-week study, turmeric-fed mice put on high-fat diets reduced weight gain and body fat without food intake levels being affected. Senior author Dr. Mohsen Meydani, DVM, director of the Vascular Biology Laboratory at USDA HNRCA, notes in the "Journal of Nutrition" that "The curcumin suppression of angiogenesis in adipose tissue together with its effect on lipid metabolism in adipocytes may contribute to lower body fat and body weight gain ... dietary curcumin may have a potential benefit in preventing obesity."
Obesity
As defined by PDR Health, individuals with a body mass index, or BMI, of 25.0 to 29.9 are overweight. Those with BMIs of 30.0 or higher are considered obese. BMI is calculated using both weight and height, and correlates with an individual's total body fat composition. Eventually, obesity can lead to other major health complications, such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer.
Causes
Taking in more calories than are burned results in weight gain, or weight loss if more calories are burned than consumed. It is not quite understood as to why people consume more calories than needed. Genetics, lifestyle, eating habits and environmental factors (e.g. economic status, availability or lack of healthy food) play a significant role in causing obesity.
Suppressing Angiogenesis
During the in vivo and in vitro experiments, Meydani and his colleagues sought to decrease obesity (adiposity) by inhibiting new blood vessel formation (angiogensis) and reducing adipocytes (fat cells) and their fat content. Similar to tumors, adipose tissue growth (connective tissue that stores fat cells) is dependent on angiogenesis to deliver the necessary oxygen and nutrients to the adipocytes. It appears as though curcumin's antiangiogenic properties worked in this study to inhibit fat tissue growth and decrease fat mass.
Supplementation and Safety
Curcumin dietary supplements are available without prescription in the U.S. While no reports of adverse effects from high curcumin doses have been reported, it is believed up to 12 g of curcumin per day is safe, according to researchers from the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan. No evidence exists showing adverse effects of curcumin during pregnancy or lactation, but safety has yet to be established.
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