Blackmores Institute

Examining the effects of fish oil and curcumin as single agents and in combination, the randomised study of 152 overweight/obese adults (aged 50-80 years) found that fish oil improved brain function and cardiovascular health by slowing heart rate, lowering blood fats, increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and reducing inflammation.
 
 “Maintaining adequate cerebral blood flow (CBF) to ensure a stable supply of nutrients and oxygen is crucial for optimal brain functioning. With increasing age, mean CBF gradually declines and cerebral vascular reactivity becomes impaired, due to increasing arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction,” the researchers explained.
 
 Both fish oil supplements (the primary dietary sources of long chain omega 3-polyunsaturated fatty acids) and curcumin, the main active component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), were shown to independently exert beneficial effects on systemic endothelial function. The researchers hypothesised that the combination of fish oil and curcumin may reduce chronic inflammation and enhance endothelial function.
 
 “Chronic conditions such as obesity, which contribute to endothelial dysfunction in older adults, can cause impairments in cerebrovascular perfusion, which is associated with accelerated cognitive decline. Supplementing the diet with bioactive nutrients that can enhance endothelial function, such as fish oil or curcumin, may help to counteract cerebrovascular dysfunction,” the authors said.
 
 After the 16-week double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial results showed that regular supplementation with fish oil, but not curcumin, improved biomarkers of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular function but combining the two did not result in additional benefits.
 
 “It is important to note that investigations into the combined effects of fish oil and curcumin in humans are novel and limited, with our study being the first to examine effects on cerebrovascular function and cardiovascular risk factors,” the researchers explained. They suggest more research is required to confirm suboptimal dosages or unknown interactions between the two. 
 
 According to Dr Lesley Braun, Director at Blackmores Institute, this study provides valuable information in a novel area of research combining fish oil and curcumin supplementation.
 
 “The findings support the well-recognised benefits of fish oil for cardiovascular health. The reductions of heart rate and serum triglycerides, increased HDL cholesterol and a trend towards lower blood pressure found in this study reduce risk for heart disease, Dr Braun said.
 
 "The effects on cerebral blood flow are also important, as this has implications for brain function,” she added. 
 
 Interestingly, the study noted a stronger effect of fish oil on cerebrovascular health among male participants in the study prompting the authors to call for further investigations into this phenomenon.
 
 While curcumin did not affect cerebrovascular function or cardiovascular risk factors in older overweight/obese adults, the authors also suggested that future dose-response studies are required to identify an efficacious curcumin dose.
 
 “Further investigations are also needed to elucidate underlying mechanisms of interaction between fish oil and curcumin, identify optimal doses when combining these bioactives and characterise those individuals who would benefit most from either intervention,” the authors concluded.
 
 The study was sponsored by Blackmores Institute (the research and education division of Blackmores Ltd.) who also provided the test materials but had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis and interpretation or writing of the manuscript.
 
 Products used in the study were Blackmores Omega Brain™ for the fish oil supplementation and Blackmores Brain Active™, now known as Curcumin 1-a day for curcumin supplementation.
 
 
 Source:
 Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2019.12.010" target="_blank">10.1016/j.numecd.2019.12.010</a>

Australian researchers are among the first to begin investigating the effects of fish oil and curcumin on cerebrovascular events in overweight and obese people. The study reinforced the value of fish oils in cardiovascular health, whereas the effects of curcumin are less clear.

Recommended for you

Echinacea in Clinical Practice

Optimising exercise performance

Siberian ginseng for mental focus

Optimising magnesium prescribing