Study reveals the antidepressant effects of curcumin in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

In a recent study published in journal Nutrients, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic condition marked by elevated blood glucose levels due to pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction and reduced insulin action. T2DM and depression have a bidirectional relationship, with affected individuals facing challenges such as disability-related job loss, noncompliance with medical treatment, and heightened mortality risks.

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial (RCT), researchers assessed the depression-lowering effects of curcumin in 227 obese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The study emphasised the role of curcumin's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in elevating serotonin levels.Participants were individuals aged 35 and above who had received a T2DM diagnosis within the past year.

At one year, curcumin consumers showed significantly lowered depression severity, as indicated by a 20% improvement in PHQ-9 scores with elevated serotonin and lower IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels compared to placebo recipients. The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin extracts may elevate serum serotonin levels.

The study found curcumin effective and safe for lowering depression severity in obese individuals with T2DM. Curcumin may help alleviate depression by raising serotonin levels, reducing inflammation, and decreasing oxidative stress.