Metabolism

Rutin for blood pressure, curcumin for NAFLD

Rutin improved BP in type 2 diabetes

In this study, 50 participants with type 2 diabetes took a placebo or a 500 mg tablet of rutin per day, after meals, and continued their prescribed medications. Doctors measured blood pressure (BP) and heart rate at the start of the study and again after three months.

For rutin, systolic BP decreased to 120.84 from 129.44 mmHg, and for placebo, increased to 132.36 from 131.20 mmHg. Diastolic BP decreased to 82.28 from 86.48 mmHg for rutin, and increased to 86.40 from 85.92 mmHg for placebo. Heart rate declined to 83.04 from 88.40 for rutin, while increasing to 84.88 from 84.40 for placebo. Levels of the antioxidant superoxide dismutase increased for rutin, but declined for placebo. Physical and emotional limitations improved for rutin, but worsened for placebo.

Reference: Frontiers in Nutrition; 2023, Vol. 10, No. 1214420

Curcumin improved NAFLD factors

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver ailment. In this study, 56 men and women, aged 18 to 65, with mild to moderate NAFLD—stages 1 through 3—took a placebo or 250 mg of curcumin per day.

After 12 weeks, waist circumference decreased 1.05 inches for curcumin while increasing slightly for placebo. Liver fat scores decreased to 44.53 from 62.17 for curcumin vs. increasing to 64.32 from 62.75 for placebo. The stage of NAFLD declined to 1 from 2 for curcumin while remaining stage 2 for placebo. Liver fibrosis also improved for curcumin while deteriorating for placebo, and BP decreased for curcumin while increasing for placebo. Doctors concluded curcumin decreased liver fibrosis and fat levels, and reduced BP and waist circumference.

Reference: Frontiers in Nutrition; 2023, Vol. 10, No. 1163950