The Combined Effects of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet and Curcumin Supplementation on Thyroid Function and Lipid Profile in Patients With Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: A Double Blind Randomised Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease and patients with HT may benefit from interventions that incorporate anti-inflammatory components. This study aimed to assess the combined effects of an anti-inflammatory diet and curcumin supplementation on thyroid hormones and lipid profile in patients with HT.

METHODS

This randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted on 57 patients with HT. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either an anti-inflammatory diet plus 1320 mg/day curcumin or an anti-inflammatory diet plus placebo for 12 weeks. Anthropometric indices, anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and lipid profile parameters were assessed at baseline and after the 12-week intervention. The trial was registered in the Clinical Trials Database (registration number NCT05975866).

RESULTS

After 12 weeks of intervention, both groups showed reductions in waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, with greater changes observed in the curcumin group. However, between-group differences were not statistically significant. A significant reduction in anti-TPO levels was observed in the curcumin group compared to placebo (p = 0.006). Although TSH and T3 levels significantly decreased within the curcumin group (p = 0.014 and p = 0.001, respectively), between-group differences were not statistically significant after adjustment. Additionally, HDL-C levels showed a non-significant trend toward improvement in the curcumin group (p = 0.053), whereas other lipid parameters remained unchanged.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin may have possible benefits for thyroid autoimmunity, but further studies are required before any clinical use.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in the Clinical Trials Database (Registration number: NCT05975866, 08 August 2023). National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute NCT0597586 https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS: gov/study/NCT05975866?term=NCT05975866&rank=1.