Source : Antioxidants 2020, 9, 645

Objective : The study was designed to determine whether co-administration of ferrous sulphate and a bioavailable formulated curcumin supplement (commercially available as HydroCurc) would amplify serum levels of BDNF.

Methods : This 6-week, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study examined the effects
of oral iron supplementation at low (18 mg) and high (65 mg) ferrous (FS) iron dosages, compared to
a combination of these iron doses with a bioavailable formulated form of curcumin (HydroCurc;
500 mg) on BDNF levels in a healthy adult cohort of 155 male (26.42 years  0.55) and female
(25.82 years  0.54) participants.

Conclusion : In summary, the current study demonstrates for the first time that the co-administration of a
bioavailable formulated curcumin supplement with ferrous sulphate containing 18 mg elemental iron
for 42 days results in increased serum BDNF levels. The addition of curcumin may therefore provide a
novel approach to iron supplementation and possibly enhance the iron-associated cognitive benefits
linked to increased serum BDNF levels.