A current research study exposes that curcumin, a substance found in turmeric, might be similarly reliable as the drug omeprazole in dealing with symptoms of indigestion, with considerable sign reductions observed in both treatment groups over a period of 28 to 56 days. The research study, performed on 206 individuals in Thailand, suggests promising outcomes, the researchers acknowledge its small scale and call for larger, long-term studies to more verify the findings.
Researchers recommend that the findings might necessitate consideration in medical practice.
A first-of-its-kind research study released in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine shows that a natural compound in the culinary spice turmeric might have comparable effectiveness as omeprazole– an acid-reducing drug– in handling indigestion symptoms.
Extracted from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, turmeric possesses a substance named curcumin. Thought to show anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities, curcumin has actually traditionally been utilized as a healing agent in South East Asia, specifically for indigestion-related concerns.
Turmeric is originated from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. It contains a naturally active compound called curcumin believed to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial homes, and has actually long been used as a medical remedy, consisting of for the treatment of indigestion, in South East Asia.
Its not clear how well it compares with conventional drugs for this indicator, largely because there have been no head-to-head research studies.
The scientists therefore randomly designated 206 clients aged 18-70 with reoccurring indigestion (functional dyspepsia) of unknown cause, recruited from healthcare facilities in Thailand in between 2019 and 2021, to one of 3 treatment groups for a period of 28 days.
These were: turmeric (2 big 250 mg pills of curcumin 4 times a day) and one small dummy capsule (69 patients); omeprazole (one small 20 mg pill everyday and two large dummy pills 4 times a day (68 patients); and turmeric plus omeprazole (69 patients).
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor, or PPI for brief. PPIs are utilized to treat practical dyspepsia, the signs of that include sensation excessively complete after food (postprandial fullness), feeling full up after just a little food (early satiety), and pain and/or burning feeling in the stomach and/or food pipe (epigastric pain).
However long-term usage of PPIs has been linked to increased fracture risk, micronutrient deficiencies, and an increased risk of infections, keep in mind the researchers.
Of the 206 clients enrolled, 151 finished the research study, with 20 in the curcumin group; 19 in the omeprazole group; and 16 in the combined treatment group, leaving.
Patients in all three groups had similar medical qualities and indigestion scores, as assessed by the Severity of Dyspepsia Assessment rating or SODA, at the start of the trial. Patients were reassessed after 28 days and then once again after 56 days.
SODA scores showed significant reductions in symptom severity by day 28 for pain (− 4.83,– 5.46 and − 6.22) and other symptoms (− 2.22,– 2.32, and − 2.31) for those in the combined, curcumin alone, and omeprazole alone groups, respectively.
These improvements were even more powerful after 56 days for pain (− 7.19,– 8.07 and − 8.85, respectively) and other symptoms (− 4.09,– 4.12 and − 3.71, respectively).
SODA likewise records satisfaction scores: these scarcely changed over time amongst the curcumin users, which might perhaps be related to its taste and/or smell, suggest the scientists.
No severe side impacts were reported, although liver function tests showed some level of deterioration amongst curcumin users carrying excess weight, keep in mind the researchers.
They acknowledge the little size of the research study, in addition to a number of other limitations, consisting of the brief intervention duration and absence of long-term tracking data. Further bigger, long-lasting research studies are needed, they say.
They conclude: “This multicentre randomized regulated trial offers extremely dependable proof for the treatment of functional dyspepsia,” including that “the brand-new findings from our study may validate considering curcumin in medical practice.”
Reference: “Curcumin and proton pump inhibitors for practical dyspepsia: a randomised, double blind regulated trial” by Pradermchai Kongkam, Wichittra Khongkha, Chawin Lopimpisuth, Chitsanucha Chumsri, Prach Kosarussawadee, Phanupong Phutrakool, Sittichai Khamsai, Kittisak Sawanyawisuth, Thanyachai Sura, Pochamana Phisalprapa, Thanwa Buamahakul, Sarawut Siwamogsatham, Jaenjira Angsusing, Pratchayanan Poonniam, Kulthanit Wanaratna, Monthaka Teerachaisakul and Krit Pongpirul, 11 September 2023, BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine.DOI: 10.1136/ bmjebm-2022-112231.
The research study was moneyed by the Thai Alternative and standard Medicine Fund.