Dietary intake and blood biomarker changes with a one-week pesco-vegetarian diet intervention supplemented with varying dose of ginger and curcumin: A single-blinded randomized clinical trial

BackgroundThe pesco-vegetarian diet has been associated with favorable health outcomes. Ginger and curcumin are herbs with antioxidative properties and therapeutic effects.AimThe aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary investigation to study the health benefits of the short-term pesco-vegetarian diet intervention supplemented with ginger and curcumin.MethodsHealthy human volunteers were recruited to participate in a 1-week intervention with the pesco-vegetarian diet. Participants were divided into three subgroups to partake of 0, 1, or 2 doses of ginger and curcumin supplements (500 mg) per day. The adherence to the diet and its efficacy on changing macro- and micro-nutrient intake were investigated. Health benefits were assessed via blood analysis, diagnostic tests, and interviews.ResultsIntake of fiber increased while that of cholesterol was reduced in all three groups. Most notably, a significant decrease in blood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels was observed in the 0 dose group but not in 1 or 2 dose groups. In addition, specific micro- and macro-nutrients whose levels were associated with changes in blood lipid levels, weight changes, and blood pressures were identified. For example, the level of omega-3 fatty acid intake was correlated to the reduction of blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol.ConclusionsUptake of herbal supplements in conjunction with the pesco-vegetarian diet appears to exert positive health impacts, such as lowering some blood lipid levels, even within a 1-week period. Additionally, our study suggests that ginger and curcumin supplements may have blunted the decrease in HDL-C levels associated with vegetarian diets.