Modulation of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage, Inflammation, and Oxidative Markers by Curcumin Supplementation in a Physically Active Population: A Systematic Review.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 32075287 · doi:10.3390/nu12020501
What was done
A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines searched SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Medline (PubMed) from inception to October 2019. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (crossover or parallel design) comparing curcumin supplementation before and/or after exercise against an identical placebo in physically active individuals, without restrictions on age, sex, or exercise modality. Study quality was evaluated using the McMaster Critical Review Form. From 301 identified records, 11 studies met inclusion criteria.
What was found
The abstract reports qualitative findings across the 11 included trials without pooled quantitative effect sizes or confidence intervals. Doses evaluated ranged between 150 and 1500 mg/day administered before, during, and up to 72 hours post-exercise. Curcumin administration was reported to reduce subjective muscle pain intensity, decrease creatine kinase (CK) levels, increase muscle performance, modulate pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8), and exert a slight antioxidant effect, with good tolerability and no significant side effects.
Why it matters
This review synthesizes clinical trial evidence showing that peri-exercise curcumin supplementation can attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage, blunt acute systemic inflammation, and speed functional recovery in active populations.
Limits
The abstract provides no pooled effect estimates or statistical variance (no meta-analysis presented). Total participant count across the 11 studies is not reported. Study protocols varied substantially in exercise modalities, curcumin formulations, timing, and dosing regimens (150 to 1500 mg/day), which limits precision regarding optimal dosing strategies. Long-term training adaptations were not evaluated.
Cited by
- supports Curcumin supplementation improves exercise performance by reducing inflammation.