Curcumin and Vitamin D for People with Lupus: Combo Better Than Either Alone
In this small study, people with SLE (N=45) were randomized in double-blind fashion to one of 3 groups for 3 months:
- Group 1: Vitamin D (1200 IU cholecalciferol) + placebo
- Group 2: Curcumin (600 mg curcumin + 15,800 mg piperine) + placebo
- Group 3: Vitamin D (1200IU) + Curcumin (600 mg curcumin + 15,800 mg piperine)
All patients had low vitamin D levels (serum vitamin D3 levels <30 ng/ml) at the outset of the trial.
SLEDAI disease scores, fatigue severity scale (FSS), and IL-6 decreased significantly for all 3 groups, while serum TGF-β significantly increased in all 3 groups (p <0.05). However, shanges in SLEDAI, FSS, IL-6, and TGF-β serum levels were similar for groups 1 and 2, while people in group 3 saw the greatest improvements. Changes in SLEDAI score (p = 0.003 and p = 0.008), FSS (p = 0.001 and p <0.001), and TGF-β (p = 0.003 and p = 0.004) serum levels were significantly higher for group 3 versus group 1 or group 2. This is encouraging considering the somewhat modest doses of vitamin D and curcumin provided to participants.
Citation:
Wahono CS, Susianti H, Hakim AL, Rosita F, Pratama MZ, Rahman PA, Anshory M. Randomised Clinical Trial Study: The Combination of Vitamin D and Curcumin Piperine Attenuates Disease Activity and Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Levels Insystemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients. Curr Rheumatol Rev. 2024 Jan 31. doi: 10.2174/0115733971276106231226071002. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38299416.
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