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Lipid‐Lowering Potential of Combined Phytosterols and Curcumin Supplementation in Hypercholesterolaemic Individuals
Author(s) -
Ferguson Jessica Jayne Anne,
Stojanovski Elizabeth,
MacDonaldWicks Lesley,
Garg Manohar Lal
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.966.2
Subject(s) - curcumin , triglyceride , placebo , medicine , pharmacology , cholesterol , blood lipids , lipid profile , adverse effect , endocrinology , alternative medicine , pathology
Hyperlipidaemia remains one of the major risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Phytosterols (PS) are well known for their potent cholesterol‐lowering potential, while curcumin has also been shown to possess lipid‐lowering properties. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of combined dietary supplementation with PS and curcumin on blood lipid concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic individuals based on a four‐week 2×2 factorial, double‐blinded, randomised, placebo‐controlled trial. Participants received either control (double placebo) or 2 g/d PS or 200 mg/d curcumin or a combination of PS plus curcumin. Following dietary supplementation with PS, LDL‐cholesterol (LDL‐C) was significantly reduced (−8.1%, p<0.05) compared to the control group. The combined PS plus curcumin treatment lowered plasma total‐ and LDL‐C concentrations (−9.9%, p<0.05 and −13.5%, p<0.05; respectively) more effectively than the curcumin (−2.9% and −3.2% respectively) and control (−1.2% and −0.9% respectively) treatments. Plasma HDL‐C, triglyceride concentrations and total cholesterol/HDL ratio remained unchanged irrespective of the intervention. This study presents a novel two‐pronged approach to minimise CVD risk in hypercholesterolaemic adults using a unique dietary combination with a clinically significant effect and no adverse side effects by reducing blood cholesterol concentrations and potentially inflammation within a short period of time. These results support the development of functional foods containing the two bioactives as a preventative strategy providing effective drug‐like cardio‐protection. Support or Funding Information Not applicable