Written by Alexa Heathorn, CNS. Daily supplementation with 1,500 mg of curcumin for 14 weeks significantly improved blood pressure, LDL-C, HDL-C, inflammation, and ASCVD risk classification compared with conventional therapy alone in adults with type 2 diabetes and elevated cardiovascular risk.

Diabetes mellitus is a condition characterized by chronically elevated blood glucose levels that can lead to long-term complications affecting multiple body systems, including the cardiovascular, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal systems, as well as sexual function.^1,2 Diabetes is estimated to affect approximately 422 million people worldwide and is directly linked to 1.5 million deaths annually.¹ Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), which includes coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease, is the leading cause of death worldwide.¹ ASCVD develops through progressive pathological changes within the arteries, including lipid accumulation, inflammation, and calcification, which contribute to the narrowing of arteries and impaired blood flow. Major risk factors include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and obesity.¹

Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation play central roles in the development and progression of ASCVD. Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced nitric oxide availability contribute to endothelial dysfunction, impaired vascular relaxation, and elevated blood pressure. Additionally, chronic inflammation can disrupt cholesterol metabolism and promote atherosclerotic plaque formation.¹ These interconnected mechanisms highlight the importance of targeting inflammation and oxidative stress alongside conventional management of blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid levels to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol found in turmeric (Curcuma longa), has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been investigated for its potential effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health. Previous studies suggest that curcumin may improve blood pressure, lipid profiles, and glycemic control, although findings remain inconsistent.¹

To further investigate its potential cardiovascular benefits, researchers in Egypt conducted a randomized controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of curcumin supplementation on cardiovascular risk, metabolic parameters, inflammation, and oxidative stress in adults with type 2 diabetes at elevated risk for ASCVD.¹ The study included 72 adults ages 50 to 74 with a calculated 10-year ASCVD risk score of at least 5%. All participants had hypertension, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes treated with insulin or oral glucose-lowering medications and had an HbA1c below 10%.¹ Participants were randomly assigned to receive 500 mg of turmeric curcumin three times daily in addition to conventional therapy (n=36) or conventional therapy alone (n=36) for 14 weeks.¹

After 14 weeks, curcumin supplementation was associated with significant improvements in several cardiovascular risk markers compared with conventional therapy alone. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the curcumin group compared with the control group (134.9 vs. 145.4 mmHg; P<0.001), as was diastolic blood pressure (70.8 vs. 78.9 mmHg; P<0.001). ASCVD risk classification also differed significantly between groups (P=0.004). In the curcumin group, the proportion of participants classified as high risk decreased from 33.3% to 13.9%, while 22.2% shifted into the low-risk category. No significant changes in heart rate, body weight, or BMI were observed.¹

Curcumin supplementation also improved several lipid and inflammatory markers. At the end of the study, LDL-C was significantly lower (98.2 vs. 128.5 mg/dL; P=0.024) and HDL-C was significantly higher (49.6 vs. 44.3 mg/dL; P=0.024) in the curcumin group compared with controls. TNF-α, a marker of inflammation, was also significantly lower in the curcumin group (16.5 vs. 20.6; P=0.044). MDA, a marker of oxidative stress, significantly decreased from baseline within the curcumin group (P=0.028), although the difference between groups at the end of the study was not significant. No significant between-group differences were observed for HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, or triglycerides.¹ Curcumin was generally well tolerated. Reported adverse effects included nausea (13.9%), headache (11.1%), yellow stool (11.1%), and diarrhea (5.6%), with no significant differences in adverse events between groups and no events requiring discontinuation or treatment.¹

Several limitations should be considered when interpreting these findings. The study included a relatively small sample of 72 participants recruited from two clinical sites in Egypt, and the majority of participants were female, which may limit the generalizability of the results to broader populations.¹ The study was also open-label and did not include a placebo, increasing the potential for bias. Additionally, although participants were instructed to maintain their usual diet and physical activity, these lifestyle factors were not formally monitored throughout the intervention and may have influenced the results.¹

The intervention lasted only 14 weeks with no long-term follow-up, leaving the long-term efficacy and safety of curcumin supplementation unknown. Finally, improvements in cardiovascular risk were based on a calculated ASCVD risk score rather than actual cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke. Larger, longer-term, placebo-controlled trials in more diverse populations are needed to confirm these findings and determine whether the observed improvements translate into meaningful reductions in cardiovascular events.

This study suggests that curcumin supplementation may provide additional cardiovascular benefits when used alongside conventional therapy in adults with type 2 diabetes and elevated ASCVD risk. Daily supplementation with 1,500 mg of curcumin for 14 weeks improved blood pressure, LDL-C, HDL-C, and inflammatory markers, while also shifting participants toward lower ASCVD risk classifications.¹ Importantly, these improvements occurred without significant changes in body weight or glycemic control, suggesting that curcumin may influence cardiovascular risk through mechanisms independent of glucose or weight reduction. Larger, longer-term trials are needed to determine whether these improvements translate to a reduced incidence of cardiovascular events.

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Posted October 2, 2026.

Alexa Heathorn, MS, CNS-c, is a clinical nutritionist specializing in metabolic health, hormonal balance, and gastrointestinal restoration through root-cause functional nutrition. She earned her master’s degree in Nutrition from Bastyr University and is currently a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) candidate. Alexa also works as a research writer and functional health consultant, translating complex science into actionable strategies for practitioners and wellness companies. Learn more at www.bloomedwellness.com.

References:

1.  El-Rakabawy OM, Elkholy AA, Mahfouz AA, Abdelsalam MM, El Wakeel LM. Curcumin supplementation improves the clinical outcomes of patients with diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):28358. Published 2025 Aug 4. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-09783-5
2. Harvard Health Publishing. Diabetes mellitus overview. Updated February 4, 2026. Accessed September 30, 2026. Harvard Health Publishing