Curcumin for Upset Stomach? Study Shows Promise!

observational-study PMID: 37696679

Quick Summary: This study looked at whether curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, could help with functional dyspepsia (chronic indigestion). The results showed curcumin worked just as well as a common medication (omeprazole) to ease symptoms.

What The Research Found

Researchers compared curcumin to omeprazole (a proton pump inhibitor, or PPI) for treating functional dyspepsia. They found:

Curcumin and omeprazole were equally effective at reducing pain, discomfort, and improving satisfaction.

Combining curcumin and omeprazole didn't offer extra benefits.

Both treatments were safe, with no serious side effects reported.

Study Details

Who was studied: 206 people in Thailand with functional dyspepsia (indigestion with no clear cause). Most participants were women (73.4%).

How long: The study lasted 28 days, with follow-up checks at 56 days.

What they took:

Curcumin group: 2 capsules of 250mg curcumin, four times a day (total 2,000mg/day).
Omeprazole group: 20mg omeprazole once a day.
Combination group: Both curcumin and omeprazole.

What This Means For You

If you suffer from functional dyspepsia, this study suggests:

Curcumin might be a natural option to help with your symptoms, similar to a common medication.

Talk to your doctor before trying curcumin, especially if you're already taking other medications.

Curcumin appears safe in this study, but more research is needed.

Study Limitations

It's important to know:

The study was short: We don't know if the effects last long-term.

Mostly women participated: The results might not be the same for men.

Curcumin dose was high: The amount used in the study was more than what's typically found in supplements.

More research is needed: This is just one study, and more evidence is needed to confirm these findings.

Key Findings

The study found that curcumin (250 mg twice daily) and omeprazole (20 mg once daily) demonstrated comparable efficacy in reducing functional dyspepsia symptoms over 56 days, as measured by the Severity of Dyspepsia Assessment (SODA) score. Combination therapy (curcumin + omeprazole) did not show synergistic effects. No serious adverse events were reported, and both interventions were well-tolerated.

Study Design

This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial conducted across three hospitals in Thailand. A total of 206 patients diagnosed with functional dyspepsia were enrolled, with 151 completing the study. Participants were randomized to curcumin alone (C), omeprazole alone (O), or combination therapy (C+O). Outcomes were assessed at 28 days (primary endpoint) and 56 days (follow-up).

Dosage & Administration

Curcumin: 250 mg per capsule, two capsules four times daily (total 2,000 mg/day).
Omeprazole: 20 mg per capsule, one capsule daily.
Combination: Both regimens administered concurrently.
All interventions were taken orally for 28 consecutive days, with follow-up assessments at day 56 (28 days post-treatment).

Results & Efficacy

Pain scores:
Day 28: C+O (-4.83), C (-5.46), O (-6.22).
Day 56: C+O (-7.19), C (-8.07), O (-8.85).
Non-pain scores:
Day 28: C+O (-2.22), C (-2.32), O (-2.31).
Day 56: C+O (-4.09), C (-4.12), O (-3.71).
Satisfaction scores:
Day 28: C+O (0.39), C (0.79), O (0.60).
Day 56: C+O (0.78), C (1.07), O (0.81).

All groups showed significant within-group improvements in SODA scores (p < 0.05), but no statistically significant differences were observed between groups at either timepoint. Adverse events were mild and balanced across arms (e.g., constipation, diarrhea).

Limitations

Short duration: Only 28 days of intervention and 28-day follow-up, limiting insights into long-term efficacy/safety.
Sample heterogeneity: 73.4% female participants (n=151 completers), age 49.7±11.9 years, potentially reducing generalizability to male or non-Thai populations.
Lack of mechanistic data: No assessment of biomarkers (e.g., inflammation, gastric pH) to explain symptom improvements.
Dose uncertainty: Curcumin dosage was higher than many standard supplements (2,000 mg/day), but bioavailability was not addressed.
Funding transparency: No disclosure of funding sources, which may introduce bias.

Clinical Relevance

For individuals with functional dyspepsia, curcumin at 2,000 mg/day may offer symptom relief comparable to omeprazole, though combination therapy does not enhance outcomes. The absence of serious adverse events suggests curcumin is a safe alternative for short-term use. However, the lack of between-group differences and limited follow-up duration means clinicians should weigh these results against longer-term PPI risks (e.g., vitamin deficiencies, infections) and individual patient preferences. Further research is needed to optimize curcumin dosing and evaluate sustained effects.

Source: PubMed | Trial Registration: TCTR20221208003