Turmeric compound equal to pharma counterpart in soothing indigestion, researchers suggest

13 Sep 2023 --- Curcumin, the main bioactive compound in turmeric, has an equivalent efficacy to omeprazole for indigestion or functional dyspepsia with no synergistic effect, according to researchers from Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine in Thailand. Their findings suggest the ingredient be considered for use in clinical practice.

“Thai traditional medicine doctors have been using curcumin for this purpose for decades. The relatively low dose of curcumin might be prepared and consumed as a first-line self-care by laypersons in a household before seeking medical attention if not improved,” Krit Pongpirul, associate professor in the department of preventive and social medicine at Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine, tells Nutrition Insight.

“Formulating a new OTC dosage form that focuses on function dyspepsia would definitely create a new market segment.” 

“The natural form that contains a low dose of curcumin would have a relatively lower manufacturing cost compared to the currently available dietary supplement with a high dose of curcuminoid extracts,” Pongpirul explains.

Spicing up the clinical domain
Turmeric is derived from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. Its naturally active compound, curcumin, has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and has long been used as a medicinal remedy in Southeast Asia for treating indigestion. 

The current study, published in the BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine journal, found that curcumin is equally effective as the pharmaceutical omeprazole, a drug used to curb excess stomach acid and treat indigestion symptoms.

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor clinically used to treat functional dyspepsia, including symptoms such as feeling excessively full after eating, early satiety and stomach pain.Researchers of the current study suggest the use of curcumin in clinical practice to alleviate functional dyspepsia.

However, its long-term use has been linked to increased fracture risk, micronutrient deficiencies and a heightened risk of infections, the researchers indicate. “Comparing the side effect profiles of curcumin and omeprazole is a bit complex because they are used for different purposes and have different mechanisms of action in the body,” notes Pongpirul. 

“Curcumin is generally considered safe when consumed in the amounts typically found in food. The 2 g of ground curcumin powder capsule used in this study is relatively low, compared to the extracts commonly found in curcumin supplements, and, therefore, has fewer side effects,” he says.

Neutralizing indigestion naturally
The current study randomly assigned 206 patients aged 18 to 70 with recurrent upset stomachs to one of three treatment groups for 28 days. 

Two large 250 mg capsules of curcumin and one small dummy capsule were administered four times a day to 69 patients. One small 20 mg capsule daily and two large dummy capsules four times a day were given to 69 patients, while turmeric plus omeprazole was administered to 69 patients.

“The study simply used ground powder of natural turmeric that contains a relatively lower dose of curcuminoids than that of dietary supplements for anti-inflammatory or anti-bacterial purposes,” says Pongpirul. 

Severity of Dyspepsia Assessment scores (SODA) show reductions in symptom severity by day 28. SODA also captures satisfaction scores, which hardly changed over time among the curcumin users, which could be related to its taste or smell. No severe side effects were reported.

Last year, Nutrition Insight spoke with several specialists in the digestive space, which has garnered considerable interest over the previous few years as consumers are becoming more aware of the relationship between the gut, overall health and its links to disease prevention and immunity. Another factor is the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia.

By Inga de Jong