Curcumin: New Use for an Old Spice?

James Phelps, MD

Although recent reviews caution against overenthusiasm, what if a simple, inexpensive, and extremely low-risk anti-inflammatory was at hand?

View the information in PDF format.

Although recent reviews caution against overenthusiasm, what if a simple, inexpensive, and extremely low-risk anti-inflammatory was at hand? Scroll through the slides for the latest research. View the information in PDF format.

Inflammation as a critical mediator in the pathophysiology of mood disorders.

What is known about curcumin for use in psychiatric disorders, particularly bipolar depression?

Curcumin is a compound found within the spice turmeric, which is made by grinding the root of the turmeric plant. Western clinical research has largely but not entirely supported the value of curcumin for inflammatory conditions, particularly arthritis.

Mechanisms of action of curcumin do fall in line with research on the pathways of mood disorders. It decreases levels of inflammation and has other noteworthy clinical effects.

To support using it for our patients, we’d want to see randomized trial data, which have accumulated in recent years.

In a study by Lopresti and colleagues [see reference 8], both a low-dose and a high-dose preparation of curcumin extracts showed efficacy in patients with depression.

What about bipolar depression?

Turmeric extracts are not entirely without risk.

Used alone, very little curcumin is systemically absorbed.

Turmeric extracts should be monitored and patients’ medical conditions taken into account.

PreviousNext