Curcumin for NAFLD / MASLD
Verdict: Published with Warning
Across 6 PubMed studies, the evidence for Curcumin in NAFLD / MASLD grades Tier B — preliminary evidence. Effective, but with safety or population caveats.
B 🟡 B Preliminary Evidence Published with Warning
Why this grade7-layer evidence engine
⚖️
Scoring transparency
All scores computed by a 7-layer evidence engine — fully auditableRaw score 0.60
D
C
B
A
S
← counter-evidence / ineffectiveeffective / strong evidence →
Final grade
B · Published with Warning
Confidence
77%
Broadly consistent
Evidence level
E2
Multiple high-quality MAs (≥2 independent, consistent)
▸View the full decision path (audit trail)
- compute_raw_score — 加權公式: L2×0.30 + L3×0.25 + L5×0.25 + L11×0.10 + L1×0.10 = 0.603
- tier_from_score — 依分數區間映射至 tier letter
- apply_hec_rules — 高品質 SR/MA 顯示 positive (3 篇 > 0 negative)
- tier_strict_requirement_check — Tier 條件達標，未降階
- detect_disputes — 偵測到 0 個 hard + 0 個 soft dispute
- decide_status — 依 tier + dispute 結果決定 status
PubMed studies (6)L2 · primary research & systematic reviews
Effect of phospholipid curcumin Meriva on liver histology and kidney disease in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Finding: NASH resolution was achieved in 62% (16/26) of the Meriva group vs 12% (3/25) placebo (RR 5.33, p=0.003), with fibrosis improvement >=1 stage in 50% vs 8% (RR 6.50, p=0.008) and regression of significant fibrosis in 42% vs 0% (p=0.02); primary endpoint met.
View on PubMed Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Curcumin: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial
Finding: Ultrasound liver-fat improvement occurred in 78.9% of the curcumin group vs 27.5% of placebo (OR ~16.0, 95% CI 1.9-139.8, p=0.005), with significant reductions in ALT, AST, total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, glucose and HbA1c versus placebo.
View on PubMed Effect of nano-curcumin supplementation on liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD-associated fibrosis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial
Finding: Nano-curcumin (80 mg/day) did NOT improve fibrosis or steatosis versus placebo (both arms improved, no significant between-group difference; FIB-4 between-group p=0.135); only surrogate liver enzymes (ALT p<0.001, AST p=0.004, GGT p=0.043) improved versus placebo, so the primary fibrosis endpoint was not met.
View on PubMed Curcumin supplementation effect on liver enzymes in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Finding: Curcumin significantly reduced ALT (WMD -4.10 U/L, 95% CI -7.16 to -1.04) and AST (WMD -3.27 U/L, 95% CI -5.16 to -1.39) but not ALP (WMD -0.49, 95% CI -1.79 to 0.82); curcumin-plus-piperine showed no significant enzyme effect.
View on PubMed Does curcumin improve liver enzymes levels in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease? A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression
Finding: Curcumin did NOT significantly change ALT and reduced AST only modestly, with high heterogeneity (p<0.01); meta-regression found longer trials and higher relative doses diminished any benefit, undercutting a robust enzyme effect.
View on PubMed An updated meta-analysis of effects of curcumin on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease based on available evidence from Iran and Thailand
Finding: Curcumin reduced AST (MD -3.90 U/L, 95% CI -5.97 to -1.82) and ALT (MD -5.61 U/L, 95% CI -9.37 to -1.85) and was associated with ultrasound steatosis resolution (RR 3.53, 95% CI 2.01-6.22), but liver histology/fibrosis was not assessed and trials were geographically narrow (Iran/Thailand).
View on PubMed Regulatory & authoritative positionsL4/L5 · FDA / EMA / NIH ODS / Cochrane / Mayo …
L4b EU EFSA
Cautious
the Panel established an ADI for curcumin of 3 mg/kg bw/day source↗
L4c UK NHS
Cautious
Avoid turmeric and curcumin in individuals with bile duct obstruction, cholangitis, liver disease, gallstones, or any biliary disease. source↗
L4d TW TFDA / 衛福部
Cautious
薑黃素每人每日攝取量為每公斤體重0~3毫克，每日不超過200毫克為宜 source↗
L4e WHO
Neutral
Rhizoma Curcumae Longae source↗
L5a NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Cautious
We don't know enough to definitively conclude if turmeric or curcumin is beneficial for any health purposes. source↗
L5b Mayo Clinic
Cautious
Curcumin is an antioxidant found in turmeric. Research suggests that curcumin may reduce liver inflammation, fat and scarring. However, more research is needed. Though it can be tempting to try a supplement that promises to clean or 'detox' the liver, using this type of supplement usually isn't a good idea, and some supplements that claim to help the liver can actually harm it. source↗
L5c Cleveland Clinic
Cautious
Curcumin is what gives turmeric that bright, yellow color and it delivers antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. More isn't always better, so be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before adding any supplements to your routine. source↗
L5d Harvard Health
Cautious
Make sure that none of your medications, herbs, and supplements are toxic to the liver; you can crosscheck your list with this LiverTox. source↗
L5e Specialty Society (condition-mapped)
Cautious
Data from 8 US centers in the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network revealed that between 2004 and 2013, 15.5% (130/839) of hepatotoxicity cases were attributed to dietary and herbal supplements, with turmeric associated with [a notable number of] single-ingredient products. AASLD provides updates on herbal and dietary supplements that may potentially cause liver injury, including curcumin/turmeric. source↗