Curcumin, coenzyme Q10 and metabolic syndrome in a 12-week trial
What it found
In 88 people with metabolic syndrome, curcumin improved cholesterol and triglyceride levels but did not change blood pressure, blood sugar, weight or waist size.
Coenzyme Q10, alone or with curcumin, showed no clear benefit.
What they found
Studies in people
Cholesterol and triglycerides
The curcumin-only group had significantly greater reductions in triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol, and a significant rise in HDL cholesterol, compared with the other three groups. For example, triglycerides fell by about 58 mg/dL in the curcumin group versus a rise of about 6 mg/dL in the placebo group.
Blood pressure
No significant differences were seen between the four groups in systolic or diastolic blood pressure after 12 weeks.
Blood sugar
Fasting plasma glucose did not differ significantly between the groups at the end of the study.
Weight and waist
There were no significant differences between the groups in weight, body mass index, or waist circumference.
Coenzyme Q10 alone
Coenzyme Q10 supplementation, with or without curcumin, did not significantly improve lipid profile, blood pressure, blood sugar, or body composition.
Side effects
No serious adverse events were reported during the follow-up.
What the authors conclude
“Curcumin improved dyslipidemia, but had no effect on body composition, hypertension and glycemic control.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that curcumin supplementation, especially for dyslipidemia, is more effective than coenzyme Q10 or the combination in managing metabolic syndrome.
- They state that curcumin, coenzyme Q10, and their combination have no effect on body composition, hypertension, and glycemic control.
How it was done
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that raises the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The authors wanted to test whether curcumin and coenzyme Q10 could help manage its components.
They randomly assigned 88 adults with metabolic syndrome to one of four groups for 12 weeks: curcumin plus placebo, coenzyme Q10 plus placebo, curcumin plus coenzyme Q10, or double placebo. Curcumin was taken as 200 mg daily and coenzyme Q10 as 60 mg daily. All participants also received healthy diet advice.
What it can’t tell you
- This trial lasted only 12 weeks, so it cannot show what would happen with longer use.
- The study did not measure insulin or HOMA-IR, so it cannot tell whether curcumin or coenzyme Q10 affect insulin resistance.
- The results apply to adults with metabolic syndrome; they may not apply to other groups.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- The authors have declared no competing interests.
- Authors work at
- Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Iran; Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Iran
The paper
- Title
- Effects of curcumin and/or coenzyme Q10 supplementation on metabolic control in subjects with metabolic syndrome: a randomized clinical trial
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Sangouni AA, Taghdir M, Mirahmadi J, Sepandi M, Parastouei K (2022). Effects of curcumin and/or coenzyme Q10 supplementation on metabolic control in subjects with metabolic syndrome: a randomized clinical trial. Nutrition journal. doi:10.1186/s12937-022-00816-7Free full textPubMed 36192751DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error