Skip to main content
HeartCited

Curcumin for Cardiovascular Inflammation

B Good Evidence At least one randomized trial supports this, with mostly consistent results.

Meta-analyses confirm reduction in CRP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. Improved endothelial function (FMD) in multiple RCTs. Enhanced bioavailability formulations necessary for clinical effect.

<\/script>\n
`; }, get iframeSnippet() { const domain = 'heartcited.com'; const params = 'ingredient\u003Dcurcumin\u0026condition\u003Dinflammation\u002Dcardiovascular'; return ``; }, get activeSnippet() { return this.method === 'script' ? this.scriptSnippet : this.iframeSnippet; }, copySnippet() { navigator.clipboard.writeText(this.activeSnippet).then(() => { this.copied = true; setTimeout(() => { this.copied = false; }, 2000); }); } }" @keydown.escape.window="open = false" @click.outside="open = false">

Embed This Widget

Style



      
      
    


    
    

      Widget powered by
      .
      Free, no account required.
    

  




    








    

        

            B

        

        

            
The Bottom Line

            
            
Meta-analyses confirm reduction in CRP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. Improved endothelial function (FMD) in multiple RCTs. Enhanced bioavailability formulations necessary for clinical effect.

            
            
        

    










    

  
Key Study Findings





    

        
        

            

                
                    Randomized Controlled Trial
                
                
                
                
                Double-blind
                
            

            
                Evaluation of Cognitive Performance following Fish-Oil and Curcumin Supplementation in Middle-Aged and Older Adults with …
            
            

                
                Dose: 2000 mg/d
                
                
                vs: Placebo
                
                
                Outcome: independent effects of fish oil and curcumin and …
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                P = 0.023
                
            

            
            
Population: Older adults at risk of cognitive decline

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    Review
                
                
                
                
            

            
                Inflammation, a Double-Edge Sword for Cancer and Other Age-Related Diseases.
            
            

                
                Dose: None
                
                
                vs: None
                
                
                Outcome: None
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                None
                
            

            
            
Population: None

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    Review
                
                
                
                
            

            
                Therapeutic roles of curcumin: lessons learned from clinical trials.
            
            

                
                Dose: None
                
                
                vs: None
                
                
                Outcome: Efficacy in cancer, CVD, arthritis, IBD and other …
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                None
                
            

            
            
Population: Patients with various pro-inflammatory diseases

            
        

        
    







    
    

        
        

            

  
Key Statistics





            


    

        
12

        
Studies

    

    

        
1000

        
Participants

    

    

        
            
            ↑
            
        
        
Positive

    

    

        B

        
Grade

    




        


        
        
        

            

  
Referenced Papers





            

                
                

                    

                        
                            Evaluation of Cognitive Performance following Fish-Oil and Curcumin Supplementation in Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Overweight or Obesity.
                        
                        
                            
                                RCT
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        The Journal of …
                        2020
                        
                        33 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            Inflammation, a Double-Edge Sword for Cancer and Other Age-Related Diseases.
                        
                        
                            
                                Review
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Frontiers in immunology
                        2018
                        
                        200 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            Therapeutic roles of curcumin: lessons learned from clinical trials.
                        
                        
                            
                                Review
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        The AAPS journal
                        2013
                        
                        1866 citations
                        
                    

                

                
            

        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Dosage & Usage





            
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units


            
            

                
Commonly Used Dosages

                

                    
                    

                        
standardcurcumin:

                        
500-2,000 mg/day

                    

                    
                    

                        
enhancedbioavailability:

                        
80-500 mg/day (Theracurmin, Longvida, Meriva)

                    

                    
                

                
                

                    Upper limit: Not formally established; up to 8,000 mg/day standard curcumin used in trials
                

                
            

            

            
            

                
Dosages Studied in Research

                

                    

                        
                            

                                Dosage
                                Duration
                                Effect
                                N
                            

                        
                        
                            
                            

                                2000 mg/d
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Mixed
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                            

                                None
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Positive
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                            

                                None
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Positive
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                        
                    

                

            

            

            
            

                Best taken: With meals containing fat and black pepper; divide doses for standard curcumin
            

            
        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Safety & Side Effects





            

                
                

                    
Reported Side Effects

                    
    
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Gastrointestinal discomfort (nausea, diarrhea)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Yellow staining of skin/teeth at high doses
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            May increase gallbladder contractions
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Headache (rare)
                        
    • 
                        
                    

                

                

                
                

                    
Known Interactions

                    
    
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Anticoagulants (may increase bleeding risk)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Antiplatelet drugs (additive antiplatelet effect)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Diabetes medications (may lower blood sugar)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            CYP3A4 substrates (may alter metabolism)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Iron supplements (curcumin may chelate iron)
                        
    • 
                        
                    

                

                

                
                

                    

                        Tolerable upper intake: Not formally established; up to 8,000 mg/day standard curcumin used in trials
                    

                

                
            

            

                Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
            

        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Frequently Asked Questions





            




    
    

        
            Does Curcumin help with Cardiovascular Inflammation?
            
        
        

            Based on 12 studies with 1,000 participants, there is moderate evidence from clinical studies that Curcumin may support Cardiovascular Inflammation management. Our evidence grade is B (Good Evidence).
        

    

    
    

        
            How much Curcumin should I take for Cardiovascular Inflammation?
            
        
        

            Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 500-2,000 mg/day. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.
        

    

    
    

        
            Are there side effects of Curcumin?
            
        
        

            Reported side effects may include Gastrointestinal discomfort (nausea, diarrhea), Yellow staining of skin/teeth at high doses, May increase gallbladder contractions, Headache (rare). Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
        

    

    
    

        
            How strong is the evidence for Curcumin and Cardiovascular Inflammation?
            
        
        

            We rate the evidence as Grade B (Good Evidence). This rating is based on 12 peer-reviewed studies with 1,000 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.
        

    

    




        

        

        
        
        

            

  




            

                
                

                    
Other ingredients for Cardiovascular Inflammation

                    

                        
                        
                            Krill Oil
                            D

                        
                        
                    

                

                

                
                

                    
Curcumin for other conditions

                    

                        
                        
                            High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia)
                            C

                        
                        
                    

                

                
            

        

        

    


    
    






  
References

  
    
    
    
  1. 
      [1]
      Julia C Kuszewski et al..
      J Nutr.
      2020.
      Evaluation of Cognitive Performance following Fish-Oil and Curcumin Supplementation in Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Overweight or Obesity.
      doi:10.1093/jn/nxaa299
      PubMed
    
    2. 
    
    
  2. 
      [2]
      Subash Chandra Gupta et al..
      Front Immunol.
      2018.
      Inflammation, a Double-Edge Sword for Cancer and Other Age-Related Diseases.
      doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.02160
      PubMed
    
    3. 
    
    
  3. 
      [3]
      Subash C Gupta et al..
      AAPS J.
      2013.
      Therapeutic roles of curcumin: lessons learned from clinical trials.
      doi:10.1208/s12248-012-9432-8
      PubMed
    
    4. 
    
  















    

        FDA Disclaimer:
        These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.