The effect of aerobic training and turmeric supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in overweight women

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality and disability in Iran and obesity is considered as one of the main causes. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of aerobic training and turmeric supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in overweight women. In this study, 40 healthy non-athlete women with an average age of 23.23±2.98 years were randomly divided into four groups of training- curcuma longa supplement (n=10), training-placebo (n=10), turmeric supplement (n=10) and placebo (n=10). Aerobic training program consists of three sessions of running per week with 45-55 percent of target heart rate for 8 weeks. Supplement group consumed 1 gr/day turmeric. Before and after the intervention, TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C were measured. All three groups (aerobic training, turmeric supplementation, and aerobic training + turmeric supplementation group) showed a significant reduction in weight, BMI, TC, TG and LDL and an increase in HDL (P<0.05). Also, the results show that aerobic training + turmeric supplementation group compared with aerobic training, turmeric supplementation significantly caused reduction in TC, TG and LDL and an increase in HDL (P<0.05). The results showed that 8 weeks of aerobic training with turmeric supplementation is more effective in the overweight women’s cardiovascular risk factors and body composition than either aerobic training or turmeric supplementation alone.