Is Turmeric Safe? Risk of Dangers and Interactions

Turmeric is a dietary supplement and culinary ingredient that is used widely today. It is generally well tolerated and does not cause side effects in the majority of users.

Turmeric is safe to take orally at appropriate dosages and has been used in clinical trials lasting up to 8 months.

Turmeric, and its bioactive constituent curcumin, have been extensively studies with more than 6,000 published research articles documenting the effects of this herb.

Turmeric is a plant that grows natively in southwestern Asian tropical zones. Its rhizomes have been used as medicines for thousands of years.

Traditional uses of turmeric extract centered on purifying the blood, reducing inflammation, treating dermatological disorders and alleviating depression.

According to research data, turmeric has a low reported incidence of side effects, but may not be safe for all individuals to take. There is a possibility of adverse effects in people with certain pre-existing health conditions as well as drug interactions.

In some cases, gastrointestinal upset, heartburn, diarrhea and other effects have been noted. This supplement is considered Likely Safe when used orally by pregnant or nursing women at dosages commonly found in foods. However, it is not recommended for pregnant women at higher dosages as it may stimulate menstrual blood flow.

Turmeric

Herbal Supplement

Joints

Heart Health

Anti- Aging

How It Works:

• Contains anti-inflammatory curcuminoids
• Promotes brain & cardiovascular health
• Supports the immune system & anti-oxidant enzymes

Dosage:

Between 400 - 1800 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Uses for Turmeric

Turmeric use has been documented for thousands of years as a medical agent and spice.

Research shows that turmeric, and its primary bioactive compound, curcumin demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and antidiabetic mechanisms.

In addition to its benefits for supporting general health and wellness, this supplement may be used as an adjunct therapy for certain diseases and medical conditions.

Some of the purported medical uses for turmeric supplements include the following:

• Breast, colorectal, prostate, liver, lung, skin, bone, blood and other cancers;
• Hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia;
• Atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and heart disease;
• Metabolic syndrome (prediabetes) and type 2 diabetes mellitus;
• Hepatitis, jaundice, hepatotoxicity and liver disease;
• Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight level;
• Lupus nephritis, irritable bowel syndrome and fibrosis;
• Depression, neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric conditions;
• Proinflammatory and autoimmune diseases;
• Bronchitis, allergies, asthma and other respiratory disorders;
• Parasitic infections, bacterial infections and fungal infections;
• Fibromyalgia, analgesia and acne

Turmeric is not approved by the FDA as a drug in the prevention or treatment of any specific conditions or diseases. While it may be utilized by some natural health practitioners or doctors, it cannot be sold or promoted as a curative agent for any of these conditions.

Many of these uses are based on historical or traditional medicine practices. Some of these uses have not yet been validated by clinical research trials.

According to the Natural Medicines Database, turmeric is Possibly Effective for Osteoarthritis. All other medicinal uses for turmeric are considered to have insufficient reliable evidence available to rate effectiveness. More research is needed to substantiate many of the traditional uses of this herb.

Is Turmeric Safe?

Turmeric supplementation is rated as likely safe in doses of up to 3 grams daily for up to 8 consecutive months. There are some side effects reported in a small percentage of users.

These include diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, intestinal pains, mild hepatotoxicity, heartburn, nausea, increased risk of bleeding, itching, weight loss and elevated liver enzymes. Side effects are usually temporary and pass shortly after discontinuing use.

Turmeric may affect the metabolism of pharmaceutical drugs in the liver and may interact with their effects. Be cautious about using turmeric extract supplements if you are taking any of the following medications:

• Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs (Plavix, Fragmin, Lovenox, etc.); turmeric is known to decrease platelet aggregation and may increase the chances of bleeding;
• Antidiabetic drugs (insulin, Avandia, Glucotrol, etc.); turmeric is known to reduce blood glucose levels in animals and may induce hypoglycemia;
• Cytochrome P450 1A1 (theophylline, bufuralol, etc.), 1A2 (clozapine, imipramine, fluvoxamine, etc.) and 3A4 (diltiazem, verapamil, etc.) substrate medications; turmeric may affect their metabolism;
• Chemotherapy agents including etoposide, vinblastine, vindesine and vincristine; turmeric may affect their metabolism, effects and/or side effects;
• Antifungal pharmaceuticals like ketoconazole, and glucocorticoids like alfentanil and cisapride; turmeric may affect their metabolism, effects and/or side effects;
• Docetaxel, paciltaxel and norfloxacin; turmeric may increase its oral bioavailability;
• Estrogen; turmeric may bind to estrogen receptors;
• P-glycoprotein substrates; turmeric may inhibit their effects;
• Sulfasalazine; turmeric may increase blood levels of this drug by more than 300% and may increase likelihood for its side effects;
• Talinolol; turmeric may decrease its bioavailability

There are other possible drug interactions associated with turmeric and curcumin as well. To ensure that Turmeric is safe for you to use alongside any prescription medications, please consult your prescribing doctor.

Additional Turmeric Interactions

Turmeric is safe when used on its own, but it may interact negatively with certain other herbal supplements.This includes ginger, clove, angelica, garlic, ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, willow, red clover, danshen, guar gum, horse chestnut, devil’s claw, fenugreek and Siberian ginseng.

Speak with a naturopath or other qualified healthcare professional to make sure turmeric is safe to add to any supplements you are currently taking. Also, turmeric is known to bind to iron and may inhibit its absorption.

You should consult with your doctor before using a turmeric extract or curcumin supplement if you have any of the following conditions or diseases: bile duct obstruction, gallstones, bleeding disorders, diabetes, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), hormone-sensitive cancer(s), infertility and/or iron deficiency. Also, do not use turmeric within three weeks of any scheduled surgical procedure.

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