Aerobic exercise can improve the beneficial effects of curcumin on PCOS patients

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests lifestyle modification, including increased physical activity, should be the first line of therapy for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Combining exercise with herbal medicine can improve health and performance. Exercise and curcumin supplementation can independently improve metabolic and hormonal status in PCOS patients. No data regarding the combined effect of curcumin supplementation and exercise on woman with PCOS.

Objectives: In this study, we examined the combined effect of curcumin supplementation and aerobic exercise on lipid profile, glycemic variables and hormonal parameters in women with PCOS.

Method: In this randomized, 125 woman with PCOS were randomly assigned to four groups: curcumin (CUR, N=31), aerobic training + curcumin (Tr+CUR, N=31), aerobic training + placebo (CUR+PL, N=32), and placebo (PL, N=31). Curcumin or placebo capsules (500 mg/twice/day) were administered for 12 weeks. Anthropometry, glycemic variables, and lipid profiles and hormonal, selected hormones, and were measured pre and post-intervention.

Results: Following the 12 week intervention, Curcumin and aerobic training showed significant reductions in weight, BMI, blood glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR, TG, TC and LDL; and increased HDL-c and DEHA. Curcumin supplementation alone did not have significant effect on WHR, WC, FSH, LH, testosterone and SHBG. Aerobic training, with CUR or PL, had a more significant positive effect on anthropometric parameters, blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, LDL, HDL-c, DEHA, FSH, LH, testosterone and SHBG compare to curcumin and aerobic training alone.

Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, it seems that the combination of aerobic exercise and curcumin supplementation might be more effective on anthropometric, metabolic and hormonal parameters than either intervention alone in woman with PCOS.