Turmeric for cholesterol: Effects and other health benefits

Turmeric has long been revered for its health benefits, with a long history of healing use (over 4000 years) in Ayurvedic medicine. So, what are the potential health benefits associated with turmeric? This recent article explores how turmeric may help to lower cholesterol, noting a 2017 meta-analysis which indicated that turmeric and curcumin significantly reduced serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides compared to the control group.

Reaffirming this research, a 2018 study found that taking curcumin alongside dietary phytosterols, including nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes, may improve the cholesterol-lowering effect, noting curcumin to be a 'useful complementary therapy'. Finally, a 2021 review found that curcumin significantly reduced one type of lipid in more than two-thirds of the studies, and that those using a bioavailable formulation of curcumin reported a better impact on lowering cholesterol. Drawing upon further areas of health, as well as details of turmeric supplementation, this article is a great example of what your clients may be reading in the news. Link to Article