Blackmores Institute

Reporting in the journal, Nutrients, researchers found that 180mg/day of curcumin over 12 weeks reduced circulating levels of peptides implicated in insulin resistance. In addition, supplementation with curcumin also positively affects glycaemic control via a reduction in insulin resistance and fasting serum insulin in the placebo group, suggesting a novel mechanism through which curcumin could potentially be used for reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease. Participants in the study were aged 30–70 (years), with a body mass index of 25–45 kg/m2, ≥12 scores in the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk (AUSDRISK) questionnaire and diagnosed with either impaired fasting or impaired glucose tolerance. All participants were insulin resistant, with an average fasting glucose of 5.4 ± 0.1 mmol/L and a median fasting serum insulin of 9.9 (4.9) mIU/L.“Twenty-nine serum samples were analysed for glycogen synthase kinase-3 β (GSK-3β), and islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP). Results showed curcumin supplementation significantly reduced circulating GSK-3β (−2.4 ± 0.4 ng/mL vs. −0.3 ± 0.6, p = 0.0068) and IAPP (−2.0 ± 0.7 ng/mL vs. 0.4 ± 0.6, p = 0.0163) levels compared with the placebo group. Curcumin supplementation significantly reduced insulin resistance (−0.3 ± 0.1 vs. 0.01 ± 0.05, p = 0.0142) compared with placebo group,” the authors reported.Acknowledging that the aetiology of insulin resistance is multifactorial, the authors noted there is considerable evidence suggesting that GSK-3β is implicated in insulin resistance.“In Type 2 diabetes mellitus, GSK-3β is an enzyme which plays a key role in regulating blood glucose. Its role in insulin deficiency and insulin resistance is implicated via insulin/P13-kinase/protein kinase B signalling pathway. In Alzheimer’s Disease, GSK-3β is involved in the hyperphosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein tau which is one of the pathological features of Alzheimer’s Disease,” the authors explained.Based on previous studies, the authors claim there are multiple potential reasons for evaluating the effects of curcumin on serum GSK-3β. In addition, the increase in IAPP combined with the increase in GSK-3β activity has been noted in other clinical studies as being a hallmark of insulin resistance and correlates with Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis and brain structure.“Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are associated with the development of both type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease. Curcumin has repeatedly demonstrated efficacy in regard to improving insulin resistance. Curcumin treatment reduced both serum insulin and insulin resistance measured via homeostasis model for assessment of insulin resistance,” the authors said.“The link between Alzheimer’s Disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus is a relatively new and emerging area of research. In this study, we were able to provide a novel potential adjuvant for ameliorating common risk factors underlying type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease.”Although the study findings are only preliminary, the authors concluded that follow up study is warranted to substantiate the effects of curcumin supplementation on GSK-3β and IAPP and whether it can affect neurological/metabolic parameters specific to type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.Source:
 Nutrients 2020. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041032">10.3390/nu12041032 </a>

Australian researchers at the University of Newcastle have found that oral supplementation with curcumin can reduce the circulating levels of peptides implicated in insulin resistance.

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