Combining Curcumin and Alpha-lipoic Acid to Treat Cardiometabolic Syndrome

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is associated with increased risk of developing cardiometabolic disease characterized by decreased insulin sensitivity, positive energy balance, and cardiovascular disease. Separately, the dietary compounds curcumin (CUR) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA) increase energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity. However the efficacy of combined CUR and ALA supplementation to improve characteristics of cardiometabolic health in overweight humans has never been evaluated. METHODS: 11 overweight and sedentary adults were randomly assigned to a placebo (n=5; age: 44 ± 8 years; body mass index: 31.9 ± 2.1 kg/m²; VO₂peak: 26.8 ± 4.1 ml/kg/min; (mean ± SE)) or CUR+ALA (n=6; age: 38 ± 7 years; body mass index: 32.2 ± 1.2 kg/m²; VO₂peak: 24.9 ± 3.7 ml/kg/min) 12-week intervention. Measurements of resting metabolic rate (RMR) and thermic effect of feeding (TEF) via indirect calorimetry, and insulin sensitivity via the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp technique were assessed in a pre/post treatment manner. Additionally, resting blood pressure, and body composition via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) were measured. RESULTS: 12-weeks of CUR+ALA supplementation did not change RMR (1467 ± 89.9 to 1539 ± 94.4 kcal/day; P=0.239) or TEF AUC (P=0.51). Additionally, no change in glucose infusion rate occurred as a result of supplementation (12.8 ± 2.1 to 12.4 ± 1.2 mg/FFM kg/min; P=0.690). Resting systolic blood pressure was unaffected in the CUR+ALA group (116 ± 3.2 to 123.8 ± 25.4 mmHg; P=0.31). Body fat percentage did not change with CUR+ALA supplementation (43.8 ± 2.2 to 41.6 ± 1.9 body fat percent; P=0.162), however, body fat percentage decreased in all subjects regardless of treatment (P=0.002). DISCUSSION: These preliminary data do not support the use of CUR+ALA to improve metabolic and cardiovascular health in overweight adults.