From the Research
Curcumin may help reduce coronary plaque formation due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but the evidence is not conclusive, and more research is needed to fully understand its effects. The most recent and highest quality study on this topic is a systematic review of clinical trials published in 2021 1, which found that curcumin supplementation significantly reduced at least one lipid profile index in more than two-thirds of the included studies. This suggests that curcumin may be a useful adjunct to standard medical therapies for reducing cardiovascular risk factors, including coronary plaque formation.
Some key points to consider when using curcumin supplements for coronary plaque reduction include:
- Formulations with enhanced bioavailability, such as those combined with piperine from black pepper or in phospholipid complexes, are recommended due to curcumin's poor absorption on its own 1
- A typical regimen might involve taking 500 mg twice daily with meals for at least 8-12 weeks before assessing benefits
- Curcumin likely works by inhibiting inflammatory pathways and oxidative stress that contribute to atherosclerosis development, as suggested by studies on its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects 2, 3, 4
- While curcumin appears safe for most people, it should be used as a complement to, not replacement for, standard medical therapies for coronary artery disease, including statins, antiplatelet medications, and lifestyle modifications 5
Overall, the evidence suggests that curcumin may be a useful adjunct to standard medical therapies for reducing coronary plaque formation, but more research is needed to fully understand its effects and to determine the optimal dosage and formulation for this use.