The Effect of Curcumin Supplementation and Aerobic Training on Anthropometric Indices Serum Lipid Profiles, C-Reactive Protein and Insulin Resistance in Overweight Women: A Randomized, DoubleBlind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin supplementation alone and in combination with aerobic training on body composition, glycemic variables, serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipid profiles in overweight women.

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 40 healthy sedentary overweight females (aged 30-45 years with body mass [BMI] of 25-30 kg/m²) were sampled and randomly assigned to four groups of ten subjects each: curcumin supplementation (Cur), placebo (Pla), Cur+aerobic training (Tra)" and Pla+Tra. Curcumin or placebo capsules (500 mg/day) were administered for 8 weeks.

At the end of the intervention, the within-group analysis showed significant reductions in weight, BMI and fasting blood sugar in the Cur group and decreased waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance and serum insulin as well as low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein ratio (LDL/HDL) and total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio (TC/HDL) ratios and increased serum HDL cholesterol in the Cur+Tra group. Moreover, the between-groups analysis indicated increased HDL cholesterol in the Cur and Cur+Tra groups compared to the Pla group. The estimated marginal means of serum CRP were significantly higher in Pla+Tra group than in the Cur and Cur+Tra groups.

These findings suggest that the combination of curcumin supplementation with aerobic training more effectively improves glycemic and lipidemic statuses than curcumin supplementation or aerobic training alone.