A recent retrospective cohort study explored a potential association between curcuma-based nutritional supplements and reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Conducted using the TriNetX Health Research Network, the study compared patients aged 50 and older with and without curcuma-based nutritional supplements (CBNS) use to evaluate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) development and progression.

Used as a remedy for a range of conditions in South Asia, curcumin is a biologically active chemical found in turmeric. It can be isolated from Curcuma longa rhizomes and added as a spice for curries, among other uses. In their recent JAMA Ophthalmology article, the researchers noted that curcumin provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it has been linked to downregulation of free radical production and inflammatory markers. However, prior to this study the association between curcumin and AMD progression has only been looked at in vitro and nonhuman exploratory studies.

The study included more than 66,000 CBNS users and matched with 1.8 million non-users based on demographics and AMD risk factors. The follow-up period for AMD development ranged from 1 to 5 years, allowing researchers to observe long-term associations. CBNS use was associated with a reduced risk of developing nonexudative AMD and a reduced risk of advanced AMD. In patients with early nonexudative AMD, CBNS was linked to a lower risk of advancing to severe stages. The study also found CBNS use was associated with a reduced risk of requiring intravitreal anti-VEGF injections.  

Though the study didn’t specify curcumin dosage, it highlighted the need for standardized supplement dosing to better understand its protective effects. Further studies are needed to validate the benefits of CBNS use, along with its safety and confounding factors that could contribute to the benefits observed in this study, the researchers noted.

A full list of author disclosures can be found in the published research