Curcumin and chronic fatigue syndrome

Curcuma longa

Chronic fatigue syndrome affects millions of people in the United States, making it virtually impossible for many of them to hold a full-time or even part-time job, go to school, enjoy their families, or participate in routine or leisure activities. Estimates of the actual number of people who have the disease vary widely, from 500,000 to more than 4 million.

So far there is no cure, but experts are on the trail of several potential treatments. Recent research is turning up promising information about curcumin, an active component of the herb turmeric.

Study of curcumin and chronic fatigue
Oxidative stress is a significant factor in chronic fatigue syndrome, and so ways to reduce it theoretically should also improve symptoms of this complex condition. A study published in the January 2009 issue of Immunobiology reports on mice who were challenged with a stress test for 10 minutes daily for 19 days. Half of the mice were given curcumin and the other half acted as controls.

The control mice showed signs of significant fatigue and had hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain), another common symptom of the syndrome. The mice who were given curcumin showed a significant reduction in fatigue, oxidative stress, and hyperalgesia. The investigators suggest that curcumin may be a valuble option in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Curcumin in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome
Along with an increase in oxidative stress, research shows that chronic fatigue syndrome is accompanied by activation of the inflammatory response system, and that a natural agent called nuclear factor kappa beta (NFkappabeta) is the main intracellular mechanism that regulates inflammatory and oxidative stress mediators.

In a Belgian study, researchers studied the possible impact of inhibiting the production of NFkappabeta in patients who had chronic fatigue syndrome. They found that there were significant correlations between the production of NFkappabeta and symptoms typically associated with the syndrome, including muscular tension, fatigue, irritability, depression, a subjective feeling of infection, and aches and pain.

They also discovered that the increase in oxidative stress and inflammation reported in previous studies of chronic fatigue syndrome may be caused by increased production of NFkappabeta. Given these results, the study’s authors suggest that people with chronic fatigue syndrome should be treated with antioxidants that are known to inhibit the production of NFkappabeta, including curcumin, quercetin, lipoic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Curcumin for chronic fatigue syndrome
Curcumin is one of several curcuminoids, the natural pigments that give the spice turmeric its yellow color. It has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and as such it is also used to treat arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and to help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.

The suggested dose of curcumin for chronic fatigue syndrome is 100 mg daily of an enteric-coated supplement, or 900 to 1,800 mg of regular supplements. The reason for the enteric coating is that curcumin has low bioavailability—the body does not readily absorb and assimilate it, because much of it is changed in the stomach. Therefore, an enteric-coated supplement can help ensure an adequate amount is utilized by the body.

If you take uncoated curcumin, it is suggested that you also take piperine to enhance assimilation into the bloodstream. Some curcumin supplements have piperine (a black pepper derivative) added.

Although side effects associated with curcumin use are very rare, it should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. People who are taking anticoagulants should talk to their doctor before taking curcumin. Always talk to your health-care provider before starting any new supplement program.

You can find curcumin supplements at many Phoenix-area stores and pharmacies, including Sprouts Farmers Market, Healthy Habit Health Foods, and the Natural Medicinary.

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