Curcumin Side Effects, Safety and Health Warnings

Curcumin side effects are rare, and mostly mild when this supplement is used appropriately. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is the active medicinal constituent in turmeric.

Curcumin is rated as Likely Safe by the Natural Medicine database. For the majority of users, turmeric and curcumin are not reported to cause adverse side effects. In a small percentage of users, temporary and mild side effects have been noted.

Adverse side effects may also occur when combined with other drugs or when used by individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. To avoid negative curcumin side effects, you should consult with your doctor before using this supplement to determine if it is appropriate for you.

Curcumin

Anti-Inflammatory

Joints

Health

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Effective anti-inflammatory supplement
• Shown to improve joint functionality
• Anti-oxidant to supper general health

Dosage:

Between 1 - 3 g per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Curcumin Uses

Healers from India, Indonesia, China and various other countries have used turmeric for thousands of years. It is also used as a dietary ingredient in different culinary traditions.

As dietary supplements, turmeric and curcumin are used to generally promote health and wellness and to reduce inflammation in the body. This supplement may also be used for:

• Certain forms of cancer;
• Cardiovascular disease and dysfunction;
• Pre-diabetes (metabolic syndrome) and type 2 diabetes mellitus;
• Certain forms of arthritis;
• Neurological dysfunction;
• Autoimmune diseases like RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and plaque psoriasis;
• Dermatological conditions like acne, eczema, dermatitis, rashes, hives and boils;
• Liver disorders like jaundice and hepatitis

Extensive in-vitro and animal research has been conducted on curcumin. Dozens of human trials have also been completed addressing curcumin side effects and benefits.

More clinical experimentation and study is required to fully understand its medicinal properties and effects. Preclinical results are encouraging in many areas and further testing is underway.

Curcumin Side Effects

The most common curcumin side effects experienced by users are minor and temporary. Adverse effects reported include gastrointestinal issues like heartburn, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation and/or elevated liver enzymes. Other possible side effects include dizziness, itching, vitiligo (skin pigment loss), vertigo (loss of balance) and weight loss.

These side effects were reported from trials involving high clinical doses of at least 6 grams daily. In one study, 2.2 grams of curcumin was administered daily for 8 consecutive months with no adverse side effects reported.

Research suggests an increased potential for bleeding when using turmeric or curcumin supplements. This has not been demonstrated in any human trials.

In canine tests, transient hypotension has resulted after curcumin administration. In a Phase I human trial, administration of turmeric oil, daily over a 12-week period, had no effect on either blood pressure or heart rate.

In some cases, sodium curcuminate injections were reported to cause bradycardia (abnormally slow heart action) and transient hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure) in both cats and dogs. Also, in feline subjects undergoing open-chest anesthesia, decreases in heart rate and blood pressure were noted, along with increased blood flow volume.

Murine (rodent) research suggests that curcumin lowers LDL-C (low density lipoprotein cholesterol) and raises HDL-C. Other tests have shown reductions in serum triglycerides. The formation of fatty acid deposits inside blood vessels (atherogenesis) was also decreased.

Participants in one clinical study experienced flatulence and hard, yellow stools while receiving 6-gram daily curcumin doses. Higher doses of 6 grams or more daily, and/or chronic use are associated with the majority of reported gastrointestinal side effects of curcumin.

Side Effects from Topical Curcumin Application

There have been cases of adverse dermatological side effects reported that stem from occupational exposure to turmeric and curcumin. Two subjects experienced contact urticaria (red, itchy welts).

Other topical curcumin side effects reported include induration (hardening of skin), vesicles (fluid/air-filled sacs), erythema (superficial reddening), papules (no-pus pimples) and contact dermatitis (red, swollen, sore skin). In rats, diets comprised of 10% turmeric caused alopecia (hair loss).

In one clinical study, one of sixty-two participants reported localized pruritus (severe itching) after receiving a curcumin-based topical ointment. This ointment was being tested for effectiveness against melanomas on the scalp.

Possible Curcumin Drug Interactions

Certain adverse drug interactions are possible with curcumin usage. It affects the function of numerous biological pathways, and can interact adversely with certain diseases, pharmaceuticals and/or herbal supplements.

Do not mix curcumin with antiplatelet, anticoagulant and/or antidiabetic medications, unless instructed to do so by your doctor. Negative interactions may also occur with cytochrome substrates, docetaxel, estrogen, norfloxacin, paclitaxel, sulfasalazine, talinolol and/or P-glycoprotein substrates.

Do not use curcumin in conjunction with other antiplatelet/anticoagulant herbal supplements. This may increase the risks of bleeding. These include cloves, dashen, angelica, Panax ginseng, willow, red clover, ginkgo, garlic and ginger.

Research shows that turmeric and curcumin may bind to iron and inhibit its absorption. Talk with your doctor about possible curcumin side effects if you are anemic, or take iron supplements for any reason.

Research shows that turmeric and curcumin can reduce glycosylated hemoglobin and blood-glucose levels in diabetics. Use curcumin cautiously with other herbal supplements with hypoglycemic potentials. These include devil’s claw, Siberian ginseng, guar gum, fenugreek, horse chestnut, psyllium, P. ginseng and garlic.

There may be greater risks for curcumin side effects if you have a bile duct disorder, gallbladder condition, liver disease, diabetes, heart disease or hormone-sensitive cancer. To be sure turmeric and curcumin supplements are safe for you to use, discuss it with your doctor first.

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