Turmeric extract may improve irritable bowel syndrome symptomology in otherwise healthy adults: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptomology in otherwise healthy adults. DESIGN Partially blinded, randomized, two-dose, pilot study. SUBJECTS Five hundred (500) volunteers were screened for IBS using the Rome II criteria. Two hundred and seven (207) suitable volunteers were randomized. INTERVENTIONS One or two tablets of a standardized turmeric extract taken daily for 8 weeks. OUTCOMES MEASURES IBS prevalence, symptom-related quality of life (IBSQOL) and self-reported effectiveness. RESULTS IBS prevalence decreased significantly in both groups between screening and baseline (41% and 57%), with a further significant drop of 53% and 60% between baseline and after treatment, in the one- and two-tablet groups respectively (p < 0.001). A post-study analysis revealed abdominal pain/discomfort score reduced significantly by 22% and 25% in the one- and two-tablet group respectively, the difference tending toward significance (p = 0.071). There were significant improvements in all bar one of the IBSQOL scales of between 5% and 36% in both groups, approximately two thirds of all subjects reported an improvement in symptoms after treatment, and there was a favorable shift in self-reported bowel pattern. There were no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS Turmeric may help reduce IBS symptomology. Placebo controlled trials are now warranted to confirm these findings.