Curcumin
Curcumin is an organic compound found in spice turmeric, which is often used in Indian cuisine.
The polyphenolic component, which gives the spice its distinctive color and has been associated with many health benefits, is to blame.
Curcumin is a member of the curcuminoid family of chemicals, which possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Numerous biological benefits have been identified, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective properties [1].
Among the many molecular targets, it may interact with within the body are enzymes, transcription factors, and cell signaling molecules.
Due to its adaptability and ability to have a variety of biological effects, curcumin is a very alluring pharmaceutical prospect. The second is the favorable health effects of curcumin. Among the conditions that curcumin may treat include inflammation, brain function, and heart health.
Diabetes, cancer, and heart disease are just a few of the chronic diseases that are significantly impacted by chronic inflammation.
Curcumin has been shown to have neuroprotective properties that may help slow down or prevent cognitive decline. • It has been shown that BDNF, a protein crucial for the growth and survival of neurons, may be produced more abundantly. • Curcumin reduces inflammation throughout the body by blocking the activity of many pro-inflammatory chemicals.
Given that low levels of BDNF have been linked to a variety of neurological conditions, this discovery is incredibly significant.
Studies have demonstrated that curcumin benefits cardiovascular health.
A particularly promising natural substance that may provide numerous health advantages is curcumin. Due to its distinctive chemical structure, it can interact with a variety of biological targets and have a wide range of advantageous effects [2].
Blood Pressure
As blood is pumped by the heart, it pushes against the walls of arteries with a force known as blood pressure, which is an important physiological metric.
It is a crucial component of cardiovascular health and is frequently employed as a significant marker of general well-being.
Anomalies in blood pressure can have a serious impact on health and are impacted by a variety of factors, including heredity, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
The control of BP is a multi-step process involving numerous physiological systems.
Adrenaline and noradrenaline are released when the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated by stress or danger [3].
The parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, helps lower the BP by causing relaxation of the vessels and reducing the heart rate.
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is another vital component in controlling blood pressure.
Aldosterone increases sodium and water retention and raises blood volume and blood pressure, is likewise stimulated by angiotensin II.
Risk Factors
Age: High blood pressure is more likely to occur as people get older. Blood vessel elasticity alterations and artery hardening are to blame for this.
Genetics: Having a history of high blood pressure in the family can raise the risk of acquiring the condition. Blood pressure regulation pathways may be impacted by specific genetic mutations or variants.
Unhealthy lifestyle: High blood pressure can be brought on by bad eating habits, inactivity, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking.
Obesity: Carrying extra body weight or being obese puts additional strain on the heart and blood arteries, raising blood pressure [4].
Medical diseases: High blood pressure is more likely to develop in people with certain medical diseases, including diabetes, kidney illness, and hormone imbalances.
On the other side, hypotension, or low blood pressure, can be brought on by things like:
Dehydration: Low blood pressure can result from insufficient fluid intake or excessive fluid loss.
Curcumin and its Role in Maintaining Blood Pressure
Millions of individuals throughout the world suffer from hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure.
To manage hypertension, it is often advised to amend one's lifestyle, including frequent exercise, a good diet, and medication.
Turmeric is frequently used in food and traditional medicine. Its main bioactive component is curcumin, a polyphenol.
It is well known for its inflammatory-reducing, cancer-preventive, and antioxidant qualities. Numerous research conducted recently has raised the possibility that curcumin may also lower blood pressure.
Through its anti-inflammatory effects, curcumin may reduce blood pressure in some cases. Hypertension develops in large part because of inflammation.
Elevated blood pressure can result from chronic low-grade inflammation that harms blood vessels and impairs normal vascular function.
Curcumin may aid in reestablishing typical vascular function and subsequently lower blood pressure by lowering inflammation [5].
Due to its antioxidant effects, curcumin may also reduce blood pressure in other ways.
Blood vessels may become damaged by ROS, which results in endothelial dysfunction, which affects blood vessel dilation and constriction.
Strong antioxidant activity and the ability to scavenge ROS have both been demonstrated in curcumin, which lowers oxidative stress and shields blood vessels from harm.
Curcumin's antioxidant properties may aid in enhancing endothelial function and lowering blood pressure.
Curcumin has also been demonstrated to have diuretic characteristics, which means it can increase urine production and thus decrease blood volume, which can aid in lowering blood pressure.
It has been demonstrated that curcumin causes the kidneys to excrete more salt and water, increasing the amount of urine produced.
Curcumin may help lower blood pressure by decreasing blood volume since there is less fluid in the blood vessels to press against the vessel walls.
Curcumin has also been discovered to possess vasodilatory characteristics, which means it can dilate blood vessels and enhance blood flow.
It has been demonstrated to boost nitric oxide (NO) production, which is important for controlling blood vessel tone [6].
By encouraging blood vessel relaxation, NO causes vasodilation, which decreases blood pressure.
Nitric oxide (NO) is produced in the endothelium, the inner lining of blood arteries, by the enzyme endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), which is activated by curcumin.
Curcumin's vasodilator properties may contribute to reduced blood flow resistance and lowered blood pressure.
Curcumin lower blood pressure in many ways, including:
Effects on inflammation: The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin aid to lessen inflammation throughout the body. Reducing inflammation may aid in blood pressure reduction because inflammation has been associated with high blood pressure.
Effects of antioxidants: The antioxidant properties of curcumin shield cells from oxidative damage brought on by free radicals. Reducing this damage may also aid in lowering blood pressure because it can lead to high blood pressure.
Vasodilation: It has been demonstrated that curcumin encourages vasodilation or the widening of blood vessels. This aids in boosting blood flow and lowering blood artery resistance, which can lower blood pressure.
Nitric oxide synthesis: It has been demonstrated that curcumin increases the generation of nitric oxide, a chemical that aids in blood vessel relaxation and improves blood flow that lowers blood pressure [7].
Overall, curcumin's capacity to lower inflammation, encourages vasodilation, boosts the generation of nitric oxide, and function as an antioxidant may all work together to lower blood pressure.
Pre-Clinical and Clinical Trial Data
Due to its potential health advantages as a potent antioxidant and anti-cancer agent, curcumin has garnered more scientific research recently.
Lowering blood pressure is one of curcumin's most promising health advantages.
Numerous clinical investigations have assessed how curcumin affects human blood pressure [8].
In a clinical trial study curcumin was given 1500 mg for 12 weeks twice a day to the participants. The results were very promising as it caused lowering of blood pressure in the participants.
Another randomized, controlled study with 70 participants who had stage 1 hypertension discovered that a supplement containing curcumin twice daily (500 mg) for 8 weeks significantly lowered systolic blood pressure compared to a placebo.
The size and caliber of the included research varied, the authors pointed out, and additional substantial, carefully planned trials are required to support these conclusions.
Numerous observational studies have examined the connection between human blood pressure and curcumin intake in addition to clinical trials. 547 senior participants in cross-sectional research who drank more curcumin had lower blood pressure [9].
In addition, those who drank more turmeric—the primary source of curcumin in the Indian diet—had reduced incidences of hypertension, according to research including 1,579 Indian adults.
In 103 people with T2D, a different study discovered that taking a supplement of significantly (curcumin) lowered blood pressure compared to taking a placebo.
Additionally, the study discovered that curcumin enhanced endothelial function markers, which are critical for strong blood vessels.
In conclusion, research from clinical and human trials shows that curcumin can lower blood pressure in both healthy people and those who have diseases like metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes [10].
However, before taking curcumin, like with any natural supplement or drug, it is crucial to speak with your doctor.
The validity of these results and the ideal curcumin supplementation dosage and duration for blood pressure control require additional high-quality clinical research.
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