Curcumin supplementation appeared to be just as effective as taking the recommended dose of a PPI acid blocker (Prilosec) at reducing dyspepsia in groups that were treated over a two-month period, according to a study published in BMJ Evidence-based Medicine.
 
Functional dyspepsia, also known as indigestion or heartburn, is considered one of the most common functional disorders, and is estimated by the Cleveland Clinic to effect between 10% and 20% of the population.  Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) have a number of downsides, such as the fact that they are physiologically addictive and come with several long-term usage risks including kidney disease, osteoporosis-related bone fractures, dementia, malabsorption of nutrients, and diminished immune function.
 
In the multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 151 participants were randomized to receive either curcumin alone (two large 250 mg capsules four times daily), omeprazole (Prilosec, 29 mg), or a combination of curcumin and omeprazole. The participants were then evaluated for functional dyspepsia symptoms after 28 days of treatment, and then again after 56 days of treatment.
 
All three treatment groups had similar results in the Severity of Dyspepsia Assessment (SODA) score, in pain, non-pain, and satisfaction categories. The authors noted that the combination treatment didn’t have any apparent synergistic effect. No serious side effects occurred during the study.