Turmeric and Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level

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. The median study duration was 90 days (based on 1 study). The most studied population was clinical patients with metabolic conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hemodialysis patients).

Studied populations: clinical populations with type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia, metabolic syndrome, or undergoing hemodialysis

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. The single high-quality RCT (evidence score 5) showed a neutral effect, while two meta-analyses/reviews (scores 4 and 1) showed beneficial effects, highlighting inconsistency in study designs and populations.

Generated May 16, 2026

Doses used in studies

g/week: 7.5 (median 7.5, IQR 7.5–7.5) — 1 study

Time to effect

Median: 3 months · IQR 3 months–3 months · Range 3 months–3 months — Reported in 1 of 3 studies

Safety in these studies

blood pressureNo significant difference
No significant effects were observed on total cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, or creatinine levels.
from: Antidiabetic and Metabolic Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) in Patients with Type 2 Dia
blood urea nitrogenNo significant difference
No significant effects were observed on total cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, or creatinine levels.
from: Antidiabetic and Metabolic Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) in Patients with Type 2 Dia
body mass indexNo significant difference
No significant effects were observed on total cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, or creatinine levels.
from: Antidiabetic and Metabolic Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) in Patients with Type 2 Dia
creatinineNo significant difference
No significant effects were observed on total cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, or creatinine levels.
from: Antidiabetic and Metabolic Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) in Patients with Type 2 Dia
Overall tolerabilityReported
No significant effects were observed on total cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, or creatinine levels.
from: Antidiabetic and Metabolic Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) in Patients with Type 2 Dia
Overall tolerabilityReported
No explicit adverse events or safety findings are reported in the abstract.
from: Clinical Potential of Curcuma longa Linn. as Nutraceutical/Dietary Supplement for Metaboli

3 of 3 papers

Effects of turmeric extract supplementation on the lipid and lipoprotein subfraction profile in hemodialysis patients: A randomised, double-blind, crossover and controlled trial.
- 2023-04-12
- RCT · n = 11
- Phytotherapy research : PTR 37(8)
- - L Alvarenga
  - L F M F Cardozo
  - M Ribeiro-Alves
  - N R T Damasceno
  - A A Berretta
  - J A Lima
  - P Khosla
  - D Fouque
  - D Mafra
- PubMed: 37042623
- DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7814
5 Insights on
- Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level
- High evidence
- Clinical
There was no statistical difference in the others parameters.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Dose
2.5 g of Curcuma Longa extract per session, 3 times per week
Antidiabetic and Metabolic Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or Hyperglycemia - A Systematic Meta-Review and Meta-Analysis.
- 2025-10-17
- Meta-Analysis
- Journal of Nepal Health Research Council 23(02)
- - Kapil Amgain
  - Richa Shah
  - Siti Munirah Md Noh
  - Shamsher Shrestha
  - Bijay Aryal
  - Lok Raj Joshi
  - Sujana Neupane
  - Shamima Abdul Rahman
- PubMed: 41319069
- DOI: 10.33314/jnhrc.v23i02.4708
10 Insights on
- Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level
- High evidence
- Clinical
The pooled analysis revealed that curcumin significantly reduced ... low - density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (MD = - 5.95 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 9.43, - 2.47)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Clinical Potential of Curcuma longa Linn. as Nutraceutical/Dietary Supplement for Metabolic Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- 2025-12-24
- Review
- Foods (Basel, Switzerland) 15(1)
- - Samuel Abiodun Kehinde
  - Zahid Naeem Qaisrani
  - Rinrada Pattanayaiying
  - Bo Bo Lay
  - Khin Yadanar Phyo
  - Wai Phyo Lin
  - Myat Mon San
  - Nurulhusna Awaeloh
  - Sasithon Aunsorn
  - Ran Kitkangplu
  - Sasitorn Chusri
- PubMed: 41517125
- DOI: 10.3390/foods15010060
9 Insights on
- Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level
- Low evidence
- Clinical
LDL cholesterol (SMD = -0.39; 95% CI: -0.59 to -0.18)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes

Turmeric and Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level

Effects of turmeric extract supplementation on the lipid and lipoprotein subfraction profile in hemodialysis patients: A randomised, double-blind, crossover and controlled trial.

Antidiabetic and Metabolic Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or Hyperglycemia - A Systematic Meta-Review and Meta-Analysis.

Clinical Potential of Curcuma longa Linn. as Nutraceutical/Dietary Supplement for Metabolic Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.