Turmeric and chicory seed have beneficial effects on obesity markers and lipid profile in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

2019-11
International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition 89(5-6)
- Aida Ghaffari
- Maryam Rafraf
- Roya Navekar
- Bita Sepehri
- Mohammad Asghari-Jafarabadi
- Seyyed-Mostafa Ghavami

PubMed: 31017556
DOI: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000568

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 92
Population: 92 patients with NAFLD aged 20-60 year with body mass index (BMI) ranged 24.9-40 kg/m2
Methods: Double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, 12 weeks of turmeric (3 g/d) and/or chicory seed (infused 9 g/d) supplementation vs placebo
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: 12 weeks
Funding: Unclear

In an attempt to investigate new strategies aimed at reducing risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and chicory seed (Cichorium intybus L.) supplementation was evaluated in these patients. In this double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, 92 patients with NAFLD aged 20-60 year with body mass index (BMI) ranged 24.9-40 kg/m² was randomly assigned to 4 groups as follows. 1) Turmeric supplementation (3 g/d) (n = 23, TUR); 2) Chicory seed supplementation (infused 9 g/d (4.5 g /100mL)) (n = 23, CHI); 3) Turmeric and chicory seed supplementation (3 g/d turmeric + infused 9 g/d chicory seed (n = 23, TUR + CHI); 4) Placebo (n = 23, PLA). All intervention periods were 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements, dietary records and physical activity were collected at baseline and at the end of the trial. Significant decreases were observed in BMI and waist circumference (WC) of subjects in CHI and TUR + CHI groups, compared with PLA group (p < 0.05). Combination of turmeric and chicory seed significantly decreased serum alkaline phosphatase level (p < 0.05). Serum levels of HDL-C increased considerably in TUR and TUR + CHI groups (p < 0.05 vs. placebo). Turmeric supplementation alone and plus chicory seed led to significant reduction in serum levels of TG/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in TUR and TUR + CHI groups in comparison with placebo (p < 0.05). In conclusion, turmeric and chicory seed supplementation can be significantly useful in management of NAFLD risk factors.

Research Insights

Turmeric→Increased HDL Cholesterol Levels
Serum levels of HDL-C increased considerably in TUR and TUR+CHI groups (p < 0.05 vs. placebo).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
3 g/d
Turmeric→Reduced Alkaline Phosphatase Level
Combination of turmeric and chicory seed significantly decreased serum alkaline phosphatase level (p < 0.05).
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
3 g/d
Turmeric→Reduced Body Mass Index
Significant decreases were observed in BMI and waist circumference (WC) of subjects in CHI and TUR+CHI groups, compared with PLA group (p < 0.05).
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
3 g/d
Turmeric→Reduced Total Cholesterol Levels
Turmeric supplementation alone and plus chicory seed led to significant reduction in serum levels of TG/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in TUR and TUR+CHI groups in comparison with placebo (p < 0.05).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
3 g/d
Turmeric→Reduced Triglyceride to HDL Cholesterol Ratio
Turmeric supplementation alone and plus chicory seed led to significant reduction in serum levels of TG/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio in TUR and TUR+CHI groups in comparison with placebo (p < 0.05).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
3 g/d
Turmeric→Reduced Waist Circumference
Significant decreases were observed in BMI and waist circumference (WC) of subjects in CHI and TUR+CHI groups, compared with PLA group (p < 0.05).
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
3 g/d