A combined effect of Cavacurcumin, Eicosapentaenoic acid (Omega-3s), Astaxanthin and Gamma –linoleic acid (Omega-6) (CEAG) in healthy volunteers- a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Divya Birudaraju, Clinical Nutrition ESPEN: February 2020 (Volume 35)
Background
Inflammation plays a key role and is one of the early steps in the pathogenesis of endothelial function, thereby increasing the risk of hypertension (HTN), coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke and several other risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We assessed the efficacy for improving cardiovascular health (blood pressure, inflammation and endothelial reactivity) over a 4-week intervention period in healthy individuals.
Methods
We performed a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial to investigate Curcumin, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Astaxanthin and Gamma –linoleic acid (GLA) (CEAG) supplements with 80 individuals (30 men and 50 women). The mean age of participants was 48.8 ± 16.0 years. Participants were enrolled and randomized to active or placebo and followed for 4 weeks. Paired and Independent T-tests were used to analyze the mean differences between and within groups.
Results
The primary endpoints of the study were the effect on inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP), endothelial function and blood pressure at 4 weeks. There was a significant reduction in mean SBP at 4 weeks in the CEAG group compared to placebo [mean ± SD 4.7 ± 6.8 (p = 0.002)]. Relative to placebo, active group showed a significant decrease in High sensitivity C Reactive Protein (hsCRP) (−0.49 ± 1.9 vs + 0.51 ± 2.5, p = 0.059) and blunted increase in IL-6 (+0.2 vs + 0.4 in placebo, p = 0.60).
Conclusion
Inflammatory markers were reduced or blunted by CEAG, with a robust increase in both EPA levels and the fatty acid index. Furthermore, systolic bicarbonate de potassium was reduced over 4 weeks with concurrent improvement in endothelial function.