Researchers in Taiwan used lipidomics to analyze fat and cholesterol metabolism in the animals. They observed reduced cholesterol and triglycerides, increased lipid excretion, and modulation of lipid metabolism, thereby reversing obesity-related metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
“Curcumin–flaxseed oil supplementation leads to rapid metabolic improvements through alterations in lipid profiles and selected hormonal adaptations,” they wrote in Nutrients
adding that the combination “sustains and amplifies these improvements by promoting metabolic flexibility and reducing hepatic lipid overload, and attenuating inflammation.”
Potential benefits of curcumin and flaxseed oil
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, may have beneficial effects on lipid metabolism and inflammation. Previous research has suggested that curcumin can inhibit key pathways in cholesterol production and fat synthesis.
Flaxseed oil is rich in the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). It may improve cholesterol profiles by balancing lipids, supporting lipid metabolism in the liver, and reducing oxidative stress.
Although these plant compounds have shown favorable results individually in previous research, combining them may yield additional benefits.
“Given that curcumin is fat-soluble and its absorption may be enhanced when consumed with a fatty matrix, combining curcumin with flaxseed oil may provide a practical dietary strategy for evaluating their complementary effects on lipid metabolic regulation,” the researchers wrote.
Study details
Researchers randomly divided 32 male Golden Syrian hamsters into four groups: high-fat/high-cholesterol diet (HFD), HFD with low-dose curcumin–flaxseed oil mixture, HFD with high-dose curcumin–flaxseed oil mixture, and a control group. After eight weeks, the researchers analyzed markers of cholesterol and lipid metabolism in the hamsters’ blood serum and livers using mass spectrometry-based lipidomics.
The results showed that, compared with the HFD group, curcumin–flaxseed oil supplementation significantly reduced serum and hepatic levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels remained unchanged. They also observed increased fecal excretion of TG and TC, particularly in the high-dose group.
Expression of genes that regulate lipid metabolism and lipidomic profiles also differed between the groups, suggesting that curcumin–flaxseed oil supplementation modulated these profiles.
“Lipidomic analysis showed notable remodeling of diacylglycerol species in both liver and serum,2 the researchers wrote, adding that a similar trend was observed in serum TG profiles.
“These results suggest that curcumin–flaxseed oil supplementation modulates hepatic and circulating lipid metabolism in a dose-related manner,” they wrote.
The researchers acknowledged the limitations of the study, including the inability to distinguish the effects of each supplement. Further clinical trials are needed to validate the results of this animal study.
Source: Nutrients; doi: 10.3390/nu18111747; “Curcumin Combined with Flaxseed Oil Modulates Lipid Metabolism in Hamsters Fed a High-Fat, High-Cholesterol Diet: Insights from Lipidomics.” Authors: P-H Wei et al.
