Turmeric Dosage Guidelines for Improving Health

Turmeric dosage guidelines typically recommend taking between 400 – 1800 mg per day of standardized curcumin powder or capsules.

This dosage is generally split into 2 – 3 administrations per day, depending on the reason for using this supplement.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is an Asian tropical plant which is widely used as a spice for cooking. In turmeric, the rhizomes (root) contain concentrated levels of the bioactive molecule called curcumin.

Curcumin and its metabolites are known to induce a number of therapeutic effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. As a dietary supplement, it is commonly used for arthritis, heart health, to support digestive function and as a prophylactic.

Turmeric dosages are generally regarded as safe with low risk of adverse effects in healthy individuals. However, its use may be contraindicated for some individuals and higher dosages may increase the risk of side effects including stomach discomfort.

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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Should You Use Turmeric?

For more than two millennia, turmeric has been used as a dietary staple, and as a medicine. Traditionally, it was used to treat depression, stress and various types of infections.

Today, more than 6500 clinical studies have been conducted examining the medicinal effects of turmeric and curcumin. Data from the trials also demonstrates the general safety of turmeric supplementation. No serious or lasting adverse effects have been reported when using this supplement in isolation.

Serious adverse side effects have resulted from improper use or contraindications with pre-existing health conditions and/or drug interactions.

In a small percentage of cases, turmeric dosages are linked to gastrointestinal upset and may cause either constipation or diarrhea. Nausea and abdominal pain is also possible. These effects, when experienced, are almost always mild and temporary.

Turmeric Dosage Recommendations

Based on data from clinical experimentation, the following turmeric dosage recommendations have been established. Note that as a dietary supplement, there are no dosages recommendations set by the US FDA.

Suggested dosages can vary depending on the form of the supplement used and the manufacturer of the product being ingested. Some turmeric extracts may contain a higher concentration of active curcuminoids. For this reason, you should speak to your doctor to determine the appropriate dosage for you depending on the product you are using.

Rurmeric and curcumin are known to have low oral bioavailability. Because of this, curcumin supplements are often reformulated to enhance absorption. This can be accomplished by adding bromelain, or by increasing dietary intake of fish oils, lecithin and healthy fatty acids.

According to the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority Panel), the recommended turmeric dosage for general health improvements is 3 milligrams per kilogram of bodyweight.

Various studies have used doses between 1.5 mg/kg and 7.5 mg/kg, divided into 3 or 4 daily doses, for purposes of general health enhancement. 1.5 grams of turmeric rhizome may be steeped into a tea and used twice daily for overall health improvements over time.

Dosages for Specific Uses:

The following is a summary of dosages used, according to the Natural Medicines database.

Before using turmeric to address a specific health concern, speak to your doctor to find out whether this is the right treatment option for you.

• For duodenal ulcers, 8 grams of turmeric daily has been used.
• As an antioxidant booster, two 500 mg turmeric tablets have been used daily for periods up to 3 months.
• For reducing risk factors related to cardiovascular disease, six daily 25 mg doses have been used over eight weeks.
• To ameliorate Crohn’s disease symptoms, 360 mg turmeric dosages have been administered 3 times daily over sixty days.
• To manage the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, 2 daily doses of 750 mg have been used for periods up to 9 months.
• To treat dyspepsia (indigestion), 250 mg turmeric capsules have been used up to 4 times daily for 7 days.
• For improving various eye disorders, turmeric dosages of 375 mg have been used 3 times daily for up to twenty-two months consecutively.
• To alleviate symptoms of H. pylori infections, 700 mg turmeric pills have been used 3 times daily for 4 weeks.
• To detoxify the blood and protect the liver, 3 grams of fermented turmeric powder have been taken 3 times daily for twelve weeks.
• 10 mg turmeric rhizome extract capsules have been taken twice daily for thirty days to treat hyperlipidemia.
• For IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), 1 gram of curcumin has been used 2 times daily over 6 months.
• To treat peptic ulcer disease, 250 mg turmeric capsules have been used 4 times daily for sixty days.

Turmeric is used as an adjunct therapy for a number of other conditions as well. These include cardiovascular disease, liver disease, autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and various other cognitive disorders, a number of psychiatric conditions, fever, headaches, the common cold, hepatitis, pruritus, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, surgical recovery and more.

Many of these uses have not been substantiated in clinical research trials. These uses may be based on historical use in traditional medicine practices. Turmeric and curcumin have not been approved by the FDA as drugs to prevent, cure, mitigate or treat any diseases or symptoms.

Turmeric Research for Cancer

There is significant interest among consumers and researchers regarding the anti-cancer and chemopreventative effects of turmeric and curcumin. Curcuminoids have been shown in different in vitro research studies to disrupt stages of cancer development.

Evidence from animal studies also shows that curcumin may aid in the treatment or prevention of prostate, breast, skin, and colon cancer. This Is attributed to the anti-oxidant effects of curcumin, which can help to prevent damage to cells.

Turmeric doses between 3 grams and 8 grams daily, divided into 3 or 4 equal servings have been used in research studies for this purpose. While initial results from laboratory studies are noteworthy, there is very little evidence from human research studies regarding turmeric’s anti-cancer effects.

More research is needed to determine clinical efficacy for this supplement. Turmeric and curcumin have not been approved by the FDA for the prevention or treatment of cancer.

Conclusions

Turmeric and curcumin are the subjects of much ongoing clinical study with initial results showing anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. To determine the best turmeric dosages for your symptoms of concern, speak with your doctor. Certain side effects and drug interactions are possible.

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