Turmeric can help to reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety, a newly published clinical study has shown.
Researchers from Australia’s Murdoch University, led by Dr Adrian Lopresti, found that supplementation of 500mg of the turmeric extract curcumin twice daily for eight weeks succeeded in reducing the overall symptoms of depression, by functioning as an anxiolytic, when compared to the placebo control group.
Greater efficacy from curcumin treatment was identified in a subgroup of individuals with atypical depression, while there were no significant differences in the adverse events between the supplement and the placebo. The randomised, double-blind study appears to support the findings of nearly two dozen previous studies, which support the health claims of turmeric extract.
The trial’s findings were published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
Dr Lopresti said: “Curcumin’s positive antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects are likely due to its ability to normalise specific physiological pathways. It appears to elevate neurotransmitters such as serotonin, while lowering stress hormones, such as cortisol, and is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Curcumin also provides protection to the brain.”
“Curcumin works simultaneously on multiple pathways associated with depression,” added Arjuna Natural Extracts, which produces the patented BCM-95 formulation of curcumin. “It is considered as the most promising therapeutic targets to treat depressive behaviour. BCM-95 curcumin is produced from non-GMO turmeric. It has been extensively researched by universities throughout the US, Australia, Japan and India in multiple clinical studies and has attained 12 international patents.”
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