Prostate: Curcumin Linked to Fewer Urinary Symptoms
Graded Moderate — an analysis of six studies with 697 men, three of them with random assignment; results differed widely between studies.
- Design
- Meta-analysis
- Participants
- 697
- Duration
- —
- Funding
- CAPES (Brazil) paid the article processing charge
Men with an enlarged prostate who added curcumin had fewer urinary symptoms across six studies.
Many older men live with an enlarged prostate that makes urinating a struggle. The usual drugs often fall short or are dropped because of side effects. An analysis that pooled six studies with 697 men found that those who added curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, had fewer symptoms than men on a dummy pill.
Three of the studies assigned men by chance, three did not. They lasted 3 to 12 months. Symptoms were scored with a questionnaire, and the curcumin groups improved by just over 4 points more on average. Their urine flow was also about 2 milliliters per second stronger. The gap was largest in men taking only one type of prostate drug, called alpha-blockers. Men combining two drugs showed no clear difference.
Results varied a lot from study to study, however. Doses ranged from 75 to over 2,000 milligrams a day, and side effects were patchily recorded. So this analysis cannot settle whether curcumin reliably helps. The authors call for large trials in which chance decides who gets what.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.
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