Curcumin for Weight Loss

Although theres no substitute for diet and exercise when it comes to weight loss, theres growing evidence that certain herbs and spices may slightly increase the rate at which fat is burned. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition, curcumin, the pigmented portion of the spice tumeric, may help to reduce body fat and total body weight.

Curcumin Effects on Weight Loss " The Study

In this study, mice were fed a high fat diet for twelve weeks while being supplemented with curcumin. The researchers were surprised to find that although the mice ate the same amount of food while on the curcumin supplement, they lost both weight and body fat. It was also observed that levels of a growth factor known as vascular endothelial growth factor needed for the growth of fat tissue was decreased by the curcumin supplementation. As an aside, the mice were noted to have a decrease in their cholesterol levels at the end of the twelve week period. At least according to this study, curcumin for weight loss appears to have potential, although these curcumin effects need to be confirmed in humans.

Curcumin Effects " Other Benefits?

While this is one of the first studies to look at curcumin for weight loss, this yellow pigment has shown health benefits in other studies. Previous research has demonstrated that curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In animal studies, its been shown to decrease cholesterol levels and may help to protect the liver from damage due to toxins. Its also been shown to have anti-cancer potential and the ability to offset some of the brain and memory changes associated with Alzheimers in animals.

Why Is Curcumin Effective for Weight Loss?

Its unclear what accounted for curcumins effect on weight loss in this study. Its thought that it may interfere with one of the enzymes needed for building fat tissue. Some studies have also shown that curcumin lowers insulin resistance, thereby decreasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. The ability to lower insulin resistance may also partially account for its ability to promote fat loss.

The Bottom Line

Should you use curcumin for weight loss? Because this study was conducted in mice, its difficult to extrapolate this data to humans. Although the data is too preliminary to recommend taking curcumin supplements, you can get some of the many health benefits of curcumin by adding the spice tumeric to your diet. Tumeric is often used in Indian recipes and is one of the flavorful spices found in curry. Although a healthy diet and exercise are the best way to reduce weight, adding a little tumeric to your diet may give you some additional health benefits, and, hopefully, make it a little easier to shed those excess pounds.