Curcumin's magical effect of lowering blood pressure and lipids: scientific revelation and health guide
09/22/2025 11:06:33
In the journey of pursuing a healthy life, natural herbal ingredients are highly favored for their unique health effects. Among them, curcumin, a natural polyphenol compound derived from turmeric, has shown remarkable results in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer aspects due to its wide range of biological activities. In recent years, many studies have revealed the potential of curcumin in lowering blood pressure and regulating blood lipids, bringing new hope for cardiovascular health. This article will take you to a deeper understanding of the blood pressure and lipid-lowering mechanism of curcumin and provide a practical health guide.
Ⅰ.Antihypertensive effect of curcumin
1.Effect and mechanism Curcumin can significantly reduce the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of patients with hypertension, and the effect is more significant after continuous use. When used in combination with antihypertensive drugs, curcumin can further enhance the antihypertensive effect and reduce the side effects of drugs. Curcumin exerts its antihypertensive effect through multiple mechanisms: Regulate the function of vascular smooth muscle cells: reduce vascular resistance and relieve pressure on the vascular wall. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects: reduce the damage to blood vessels caused by oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and maintain normal vascular function. Regulate endothelial cell function: promote the release of nitric oxide, dilate blood vessels, and lower blood pressure. Inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity: reduce the production of angiotensin II to achieve a hypotensive effect.
2.Scientific basis Ahmed et al. (2019) showed that curcumin has strong antioxidant properties, which can reduce vascular wall damage and reduce inflammatory response by inhibiting inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-1β, thereby maintaining normal blood pressure levels. Priyanka Joshi et al. (2022) found that curcumin can significantly reduce the blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats, accompanied by a decrease in oxidative stress levels and a decrease in inflammatory factors. Pari L and Murugan P (2007) showed that curcumin activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), increases the bioavailability of NO, improves endothelial relaxation function, and thus lowers blood pressure. Nakmareong S and Kukongviriyapan U (2011) showed that curcumin can significantly improve endothelial function and lower blood pressure in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Bhullar KS et al. (2013) found that curcumin and its analogs have ACE inhibitory activity, which can reduce Ang II levels and thus lower blood pressure.
Ⅱ.Cardiovascular protective effects of curcumin
1.Effects and mechanisms Myocardial ischemia is one of the culprits that cause serious complications and even life threats, including acute myocardial infarction and atherosclerosis. Curcumin has a significant protective effect on myocardial ischemia by regulating multiple molecular mechanisms, such as inhibiting inflammatory response, reducing oxidative stress, and regulating cell apoptosis.
2.Scientific basis Swapnil Sharma et al. (2022) found that curcumin inhibits the NF-κB signaling pathway, reduces the release of inflammatory factors, protects vascular endothelial cells, prevents vascular damage and remodeling, and helps lower blood pressure. Ahmed et al. (2019) showed that curcumin can reduce the effects of myocardial ischemia through multiple mechanisms, including improving blood flow, reducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting inflammatory response. Rice et al. (2021) showed that curcumin has a positive effect on preventing or slowing down cardiac remodeling caused by hypertension. Shabbir et al. (2021) pointed out that there is a two-way interactive relationship between plant polyphenols such as curcumin and intestinal microorganisms, which helps to adjust the composition of intestinal flora, promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, and indirectly support cardiovascular health. A study on pulmonary hypertension showed that curcumin nanoparticles can significantly reduce cardiac remodeling and improve pulmonary hypertension symptoms, indicating that curcumin is also effective in the treatment of certain types of hypertension.
Ⅲ.Curcumin's lipid-lowering and fatty liver improvement effects
1.Effects and mechanisms Curcumin also performs well in regulating blood lipids. Clinical trials have shown that curcumin can significantly reduce triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) content, improving blood lipid profiles, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Curcumin lowers blood lipid levels through multiple mechanisms: Inhibit fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity: reduce fat synthesis. Increase fatty acid β-oxidation: promote fat decomposition. Activate PPAR-γ and Nrf2 signaling pathways: further regulate lipid metabolism.
2.Scientific Basis A double-blind clinical trial by Hosseini et al. (2024) showed that taking a tablet containing 500 mg of curcumin and 5 mg of piperine daily can significantly reduce triglyceride and fasting blood sugar levels, while reducing C-reactive protein levels. A randomized controlled trial by Sangouni et al. (2022) showed that curcumin supplementation can effectively improve the lipid profile of patients with metabolic syndrome, including significantly reducing total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride levels. A systematic review by Marton et al. (2021) pointed out that in addition to directly lowering blood lipids, curcumin can also help control blood sugar levels in diabetic patients by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. A study by Moradi Kelardeh B et al. (2020) found that curcumin can significantly improve insulin resistance and lower blood sugar and blood lipid levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. A randomized controlled trial by Saadati et al. (2019) showed that after 12 weeks of curcumin supplementation, the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) decreased and NF-κB activity weakened, indicating that curcumin helps alleviate liver inflammation. Nano-curcumin preparations can further reduce triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) levels and increase HDL-C levels. Curcumin reduces blood lipid levels by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, reducing the release of inflammatory factors, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and foam cell formation (Saadati S et al., 2019). Curcumin can also reduce blood lipids by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase activity to reduce cholesterol synthesis (Panahi Y et al., 2018) and by activating PPAR-γ to improve insulin resistance (Li Y et al., 2014).
4.Health Guide: How to effectively use curcumin to maintain cardiovascular health Appropriate supplementation: The recommended intake of curcumin is generally 500 mg to 1000 mg per day. It can be obtained by consuming turmeric powder, turmeric extract or curcumin supplements. Although curcumin has many health benefits, excessive intake may cause discomfort. It is recommended to supplement appropriately according to personal constitution and doctor's advice. Combined with a healthy diet: The effect of curcumin is more significant on the basis of a healthy diet. It is recommended to maintain a balanced diet, reduce the intake of high-fat, high-cholesterol foods, and increase the proportion of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Curcumin and sea buckthorn are both natural ingredients with multiple health benefits, and they each have unique biological activities. When these two ingredients are used in combination, a synergistic effect may occur, further enhancing their health benefits. Regular exercise: Moderate exercise can enhance cardiovascular function and complement curcumin supple mentation. It is recommended to perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling. Regular monitoring: During the period of curcumin supplementation, it is recommended to regularly monitor blood pressure and blood lipid levels so that the supplementation regimen can be adjusted in time. Professional guidance: Although curcumin is a natural ingredient, it is still recommended to use curcumin supplements under the guidance of professional medical personnel to ensure safety and effectiveness.
