Research synthesisLow evidenceSmall effect3 studies · 2 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful
Across 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects of turmeric/curcumin on reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, with effect sizes ranging from small to moderate, while 1 study found a neutral effect. The beneficial findings were statistically significant in both positive studies, including a meta-analysis showing a small reduction (MD = -5.95 mg/dL). Evidence is limited to clinical populations (e.g., type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome), and effects were typically observed at a median study duration of 90 days.
- Effective dose range: 2.5 g of Curcuma Longa extract three times per week (from one study with a neutral finding)
- Studied populations: hemodialysis patients, people with type 2 diabetes mellitus or hyperglycemia, adults with metabolic syndrome or related disorders
Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. One study (the highest quality RCT) found no significant effect, creating inconsistency. The most robust evidence comes from a meta-analysis, but its pooled effect was small. The effective dose range is poorly characterized, as 2 of 3 studies did not report dose.
Generated Jun 15, 2026