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Can you overdo it with turmeric?

Turmeric and curcumin supplements do not seem to have any serious side effects. However, some people may be prone to mild discomfort, such as headaches or diarrhea, at high doses.

healthline.com - Does Too Much Turmeric Have Side Effects? - Healthline

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However, some people are concerned about the possible side effects of high dose turmeric and curcumin supplements. This review looks into the evidence. It’s also consumed for its health benefits. Supplements containing turmeric or curcumin — its main active ingredient — are becoming increasingly common. Turmeric is a yellow-orange spice originating in southern Asia. It’s a popular ingredient in many Indian and Middle Eastern dishes as well. Turmeric is a popular yellow-orange spice. It is also used as a food dye and dietary supplement. The compound curcumin is thought to be responsible for most of its health benefits. Some cheap turmeric powders may also contain illegal additives that are not listed on the labels. This is called turmeric adulteration, and it is discussed in more detail below. Commercial turmeric or curcumin powders also usually contain additives. These include silicon dioxide, an anti-caking agent that prevents clumping. The most widely studied curcuminoid is curcumin, which may account for around 4% of turmeric ( 3 ). The root stalks are also rich in plant compounds called curcuminoids. These curcuminoids are the main active compounds in turmeric. They are responsible for turmeric’s orange-yellow color and most of its health benefits ( 2 ). Turmeric mainly consists of carbs, mostly starch and fiber. However, like all spices, turmeric contains numerous plant compounds and nutrients ( 1 ). Turmeric’s root stalks, called rhizomes, are bright yellow or orange. They’re usually dried and ground into powder. It is an essential ingredient in Indian curries, with a taste that is often described as bitter and peppery. Nearly all of the world’s turmeric is grown and consumed in India. Turmeric, also known by the scientific name Curcuma longa, is an ancient Indian spice, medicinal herb, and food dye in the ginger family. In addition to using turmeric as a spice and food dye, people eat it for its health benefits, which have been extensively studied.

Curcumin supplements offer the following benefits, to name a few:

Turmeric is used as a spice and food dye, adding both flavor and color to food. It has also been consumed for its health benefits. Almost all of these have been attributed to curcumin, its main active ingredient. Both turmeric and its main active ingredient, curcumin, are generally considered safe and without any serious side effects ( 14 ). However, some people may experience side effects when they take them in large doses as supplements.

Turmeric

Turmeric contains around 2% oxalate. At high doses, this may contribute to kidney stones in predisposed individuals ( 15 ). Additionally, not all commercial turmeric powders are pure. Some are adulterated. This means that cheaper and potentially toxic ingredients have been added and are not listed on the label. Studies have revealed that commercial turmeric powders may contain fillers such as cassava starch or barley and wheat or rye flour ( 16 , 17 ).

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Eating turmeric that contains wheat, barley, or rye flour can cause adverse symptoms in people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Some turmeric powders may also contain questionable food colorants, which are added to improve color when the powder is diluted with flour. One food colorant frequently used in India is metanil yellow, also called acid yellow 36. Animal studies show that metanil yellow may cause cancer and neurological damage when consumed in high amounts ( 18 , 19 ). While the toxic effects of metanil yellow have not been investigated in humans, it’s unlawful to use it in the United States and Europe. (20, 21 ) Some turmeric powders may also be high in lead, a heavy metal that is especially toxic to the nervous system ( 22 , 23 ).

Drug interactions

Dietary turmeric does not significantly influence how your body processes medications ( 24 ). However, turmeric’s effects may increase or interfere with the actions of some of the medication you are taking. For example, turmeric has an anticoagulation effect, meaning it can interfere with blood clotting. Taking curcumin with anticoagulant drugs or blood thinners such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), or warfarin (Jantoven) can increase their effects and may lead to excessive bleeding ( 10 ). Turmeric can also lower blood sugar and may enhance the effects of antidiabetic drugs or insulin ( 10 ). Since turmeric can lower blood pressure, it may have additive effects with antihypertensive drugs ( 10 ). Turmeric can aid digestion by increasing stomach acid levels, which may inhibit the effectiveness of antacids ( 10 ). If you’re considering taking a new supplement, always talk with your doctor first to make sure they are aware and can point you toward any possible interactions with medications you’re already taking.

Curcumin

Curcumin supplements are considered safe and no adverse side effects have been reported at low doses ( 10 , 25 ). One older study in 10 adults found that taking 490 mg of curcumin daily for a week caused no side effects ( 26 ). A new review from 2021 also found that taking doses of around 1,000 mg of curcumin per day did not lead to any apparent adverse effects ( 27 ). Yet, a small proportion of people may experience some mild side effects at higher doses. These may include: Digestive issues. People may experience mild digestive issues such as bloating, acid reflux, flatulence, and diarrhea at daily doses exceeding 1,000 mg ( 12 , 28 , 29 ). People may experience mild digestive issues such as bloating, acid reflux, flatulence, and diarrhea at daily doses exceeding 1,000 mg ( , , ). Headache and nausea. Doses of 450 mg or higher may cause headache and nausea in a small number of people ( 12 , 30 ). Doses of 450 mg or higher may cause headache and nausea in a small number of people ( , ). Skin rash. People have reported a skin rash after taking a dose of 8,000 mg of curcumin or more, but this seems to be very rare ( 31 ).

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Extremely high doses of 1,170 mg per pound (2,600 mg/kg) of body weight daily for 13 weeks, or up to 2 years, may cause some serious side effects in rats. These include an increase in liver size, stained fur, stomach ulcers, inflammation, and an increased risk of intestinal or liver cancer ( 32 ). However, the dose makes the poison. There is currently no evidence that lower amounts of curcumin cause serious side effects in humans when taken over short periods, though human studies on the long-term effects are lacking.

Drug interactions

While curcumin has a very good safety profile, some research suggests it may affect how your body processes certain medications, including ( 24 , 33 , 34 ):

antibiotics

anticoagulants

antidepressants

antihistamines

cardiovascular drugs

chemotherapeutic agents

One study suggests that curcumin supplements may induce a gene that can cause decreased levels of certain antidepressant and antipsychotic medications ( 35 ). In one animal study, curcumin enhanced the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine ( 36 ). It may also increase sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) levels. Sulfasalazine is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), which may be prescribed to treat ulcerative colitis or rheumatoid arthritis ( 37 ). Curcumin may inhibit the anticancer activity of drugs used for chemotherapy, so those undergoing chemotherapy should consult their doctor before taking curcumin ( 10 ). Curcumin’s anticoagulation effect may lead to excessive bleeding if taken along with anticoagulant drugs or blood thinners such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), or warfarin ( Jantoven))( 10 ). Curcumin can also lower blood sugar, and may enhance the effects of anti-diabetic drugs or insulin ( 10 ). Since curcumin can lower blood pressure, it may have additive effects with antihypertensive drugs ( 10 ). Curcumin can increase stomach acid levels, which may inhibit the effectiveness of antacids ( 10 ). That said, research on possible drug interactions with curcumin is limited and doesn’t provide enough evidence to say with certainty whether taking curcumin supplements interacts with other medications you may be taking. If you are taking other medications, consult your physician or another qualified health professional before taking curcumin supplements.

healthline.com - Does Too Much Turmeric Have Side Effects? - Healthline

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