Curcumin and Fertility

At least 50% of infertile couple's problems are related to male factor infertility. One of the principal active ingredients of the Indian yellow spice Turmeric is Curcumin. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory substance that we use commonly for pain, auto-immunity and cancer.

Antioxidants such as Vitamins A, C, E, Carnitine and Glutathione augment semen parameters, and ameliorate semen issues in male factor infertility.

High levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) or “free radicals” have been reported in the seminal fluid from 25 to 40% of infertile men. Curcumin scavenges free radicals to exert its antioxidant role, and therefore improves the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

A 2018 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial looked at 60 infertile men with reduced sperm quantity and motility.

Patients were randomly assigned to either Curcumin (80mg) or placebo for 10 weeks.

Participants were taking a curcumin nanomicelle “Sinacurcumin” found in the Middle East. Similar western products are known under the trade name “Theracurmin.”

At the end of study, statistically significant differences were seen in the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and motility in the intervention group.

Curcumin increased the blood’s total antioxidant capacity

Curcumin supplementation also resulted in a improvements in plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity, as well as inflammatory markers C-reactive protein “CRP,” and tumor necrosis factor alpha “TNF-α “ in comparison to the placebo.

When comparing the Curcumin supplemented group to the placebo, the Curcumin group had an increase in testosterone at the 10‐week mark.

Curcumin is a low cost oral therapy we work with at TruMed. We can also deliver it intravenously in severe cases of male infertility. Larger effects are to be seen in concert with other studied anti-oxidants.