This archive report was first published on 16 October 2019.
Published on October 16, 2019, a study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that curcumin, a compound in turmeric, did not demonstrate any benefit in reducing complications during elective aortic surgery. The study, led by Dr. Amit X. Garg, a professor of medicine at Western University in London, Ontario, involved 606 patients who were administered either 2,000 milligrams of curcumin or a placebo.
Dr. Garg's team was disappointed by the results, which showed no significant difference between the two groups. However, the study's findings are not unique, as many laboratory studies have shown promising results for turmeric and curcumin, only to be met with disappointing clinical trial outcomes.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that there is not enough reliable evidence in humans to recommend turmeric or curcumin for any condition. While some research suggests that turmeric and curcumin have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, these benefits have mostly been demonstrated in laboratory studies.
According to Natural Medicines, a database that provides information on dietary supplements and complementary therapies, some clinical evidence suggests that curcumin may be beneficial for certain conditions, including depression and osteoarthritis. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the safety and efficacy of turmeric and curcumin for these uses.
