Curcumin (Tumeric) in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized-Controlled Trial (CuTIBS)

Evidence exists to support low-grade inflammation as the inciting factor leading to visceral hypersensitivity and alteration in motility in irritable bowel syndrome.In the medical literature,there is ample in vitro and in vivo evidence supporting turmeric and its derivative curcumin as an antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. We propose a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blinded, parallel treatment study evaluating the effects of turmeric on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

• Dietary Supplement: curcumin
  curcumin 900mg twice daily by mouth
  Other Name: Swanson vitamins-curcumin
• Dietary Supplement: placebo
  placebo capsule to simulate 900mg curcumin capsule
  Other Name: Swanson curcumin placebo

• Active Comparator: A
  Curcumin 900mg twice daily by mouth
  Intervention: Dietary Supplement: curcumin
• Placebo Comparator: B
  Placebo capsule to be made by Swanson Vitamins to simulate the capsule.
  Intervention: Dietary Supplement: placebo

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients from the hospitals and clinics of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group who conform to the Rome III criteria and

• Age 18 years and above,
• Male or female,
• Able to give consent and follow the treatment plan and be able to answer surveys.
• Negative serum pregnancy test (females of childbearing potential only) and are willing to use an adequate method of contraception throughout the duration of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any of the following: diabetes, HIV disease, use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet medication, abnormal coagulation or thrombocytopenia, biliary obstruction, inflammatory bowel, symptomatic gallstones, celiac disease, ongoing use of medications known to cause or exacerbate symptoms of IBS and chronic, daily users of IBS medications.
• Use of scheduled IBS medications for 4 weeks prior to and during the treatment period.