Increased Risk Of Bleeding
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, may increase the risk of bleeding. Curcumin should be used cautiously in patients with bleeding disorders or those taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosage adjustments may be necessary.
Turmeric has anticoagulant effects and hence can increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. You must stop using turmeric at least 2 weeks prior to surgery because it increases the risk of bleeding. This is one drawback of turmeric that cannot be ignored, and we need to remember this while taking it regularly.
Is It Safe To Take Turmeric Every Day
Turmeric is a yellow spice commonly used in Asian cuisine. People also consume it because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Taking turmeric in low amounts generally does not pose any health problems. According to the World Health Organization , it is safe to consume 1.4 mg of turmeric per pound of body weight each day. Higher doses of turmeric, however, when consumed for longer periods may harm the body. This means the use of turmeric in gel form and lozenges as supplements. According to a report, a person who consumed high amounts of turmeric experienced a dangerous heart rhythm problem. Although there is no concrete evidence that the abnormal heart rhythm was caused by turmeric, it is better to avoid taking turmeric in high doses, especially for longer periods.
If a person has any underlying health conditions or is taking any medications , they must take their doctors advice before consuming turmeric.
You May Consume Unwanted Additives
Turmeric powder is a great addition to many spicy dishes, as well as a fun way to make a golden latte when you’re trying to skip the coffee. Unfortunately, when we consume turmeric powder, we run the risk of also consuming some unexpected additives like lead or flours like rye, cassava, or wheat.
This is because of a common process known as adulteration, where powdered spices are mixed with other spices, cheaper flours, and sometimes ingredients like lead, to make the production process cheaper. Unfortunately, as consumers, this puts us at risk of ingesting unwanted ingredients.
Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant, which is why many people like to take it in supplement form or by eating turmeric. Even though curcumin is beneficial in many different ways for our health, a few different studies have revealed its possible mild side effects.
One study from BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies highlighted the fact that curcumin can potentially lead to headaches or nausea, although it’s still a decently rare side effect and only occurs in a small number of people. If you consume a lot of turmeric and experience headaches or nausea afterward, this could be something to pay attention to!6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
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Curcumin Dosage: Whats Safe
In supplement form, though, the concentration of curcumin and other curcuminoids is significantly higher than what you get in a typical serving of ground turmeric . This means a supplement with 0.5 grams of turmeric extract will give you about 400 milligrams of curcuminoids, whereas 0.5 g of the ground spice will only provide about 15 mg, according to estimates from ConsumerLab, a third-party supplement testing agency.
In general, up to 12 g curcumin per day has been shown to be safe, but there are instances when high levels of curcumin and other curcuminoids in turmeric supplements may cause negative reactions, especially if you have certain health conditions.
It Can Upset Your Stomach
The same agents in turmeric that support digestive health can cause irritation when taken in large amounts. Some participants in studies looking at the use of turmeric for cancer treatment had to because their digestion was so negatively affected. Turmeric stimulates the stomach to produce more gastric acid. While this helps some peoples digestion, it can really do a number on others.
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What The Research Says
Although many studies have explored the medicinal properties of turmeric and its extract curcumin, there isnt any research focused on acid reflux.
Overall, there isnt enough evidence to support the use of turmeric for any health condition. More research is needed to determine its effectiveness in people.
According to a , acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease may be caused by inflammation and oxidative stress. The study suggests GERD should be treated with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
A separate study in 2011 showed that the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin prevented esophageal inflammation.
Turmeric and its extract curcumin are both said to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this, turmeric may relieve GERD.
More research is currently underway. A 2019 article presented some insight on the anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity of curcumin in the treatment of issues in the digestive tract.
Curcumin protects the gut from damage from NSAIDs and other noxious agents. It has a role in keeping the bacteria associated with ulcers in check, helps ulcers heal, and it works actively on killing cancer cells in the gut.
Does Taking Turmeric For Inflammation Really Work
You may use turmeric to make curry, but other people use it to treat inflammation and pain.
The main active ingredient found in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin is an inflammation blocker. Its as effective as some anti-inflammatory drugs without the major side effects.
Thats a big deal because inflammation plays a role in every major disease.
Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient holistic approach, uses turmeric for internal and external inflammation. Practitioners treat fatigue, rheumatism, and serious pain with turmeric.
In the past, people outside of Ayurvedic practice considered turmeric a spice. It was also used to dye fabric and food. Now, its popular around the world for treating ailments.
It easy to find turmeric for medicinal use. Its available in teas, juices, and pills. But how do you know the proper dosage?
Keep reading to learn how to take turmeric for pain.
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It May Stimulate Contractions
You may have heard that eating foods seasoned with curry can stimulate labor. Although theres little clinical data to back up this claim, studies suggest turmeric can ease symptoms of PMS. So there may be something to the old wives tale.
Because of its blood-thinning effects alone, pregnant women should avoid taking turmeric supplements. Adding small amounts of turmeric as a spice to food shouldnt be a problem.
How To Take Turmeric For Pain
Turmeric in Indian and Asian cooking is a long-standing tradition.
A typical Indian diet supplies 2,000 to 2,5000 mg of turmeric per day. That equals 60 to 100 mg of curcumin. If you ingested the same quantity of turmeric as an extract it would be 1,900 to 2,375 mg of curcumin.
The spice has about 3% curcumin. Turmeric extract has 95% curcumin. Adding turmeric to your food provides some benefits, but not as much as a supplement.
Most studies use a turmeric extract. The typical study dose of 500 to 2,000 mg of turmeric per day had potential benefits. The exact dose depends on the medical condition.
The Arthritis Foundation suggests taking turmeric capsules 3 times per day. Another option is to take a half to three grams of the root powder every day.
Further studies revealed one gram of curcumin per day helped arthritis patients.
One issue with turmeric is its hard for the body to absorb the spice by itself. Nutritionists suggest mixing the spice with black pepper and olive oil to help your body absorb it.
The amount of turmeric used in normal cooking is safe. But dont assume more is better. High doses can cause nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness.
The World Health Organization found 1.4 mg of turmeric per pound of body weight is okay for daily intake. Its not advisable to take high doses of turmeric for long periods of time. There isnt enough research to guarantee safety.
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Side Effects Of Turmeric Capsules
Derived from the Curcuma longa plant’s root, turmeric is commercially available as fresh root nodes, a spice powder for use in cooking, or in the form of turmeric capsules for medical use. Turmeric’s active compound, curcumin, is responsible for the spice’s many health benefits.
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Although this golden colored spice has been used for centuries by Asian communities to treat inflammation and combat infections, it is only just starting to gain recognition in the West. While turmeric’s benefits include treating skin rashes and preventing skin cancer, more studies need to be conducted on a larger scale to establish the effectiveness of daily turmeric capsule consumption in individuals.
Pregnant And Breastfeeding Women
Turmeric is safe for pregnant women to eat as a spice in food, but turmeric supplements should be avoided during pregnancy.
There is not much research available at the moment on the possible effects of turmeric on pregnant and breastfeeding women, and its not known if the active compounds will pass through breast milk.
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Increased Risk Of Kidney Stones
As with gallstones, too much turmeric can increase the risk of developing kidney stones because of the oxalates in it. These oxalates can bind to calcium to form calcium oxalate, which is insoluble, and mainly responsible for kidney stones.
In one study, consuming turmeric led to a higher urinary oxalate excretion compared to cinnamon, so its wise to avoid turmeric if you have kidney problems.
Turmeric May Lower Blood Sugar Too Much
On the one hand, some research suggests that turmeric may help treat and prevent diabetes. That said, turmeric may magnify the effects of diabetes medications that lower blood sugar, increasing your risk of low blood sugar . More research in humans is needed. Dont take turmeric supplements for diabetes without first checking with your doctor.
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How Much Turmeric Is Safe To Take
There is no reference nutrient intake for turmeric tablets, but dont exceed the dosage stated on any label. However, there is an RNI for curcumin.
The World Health Organisation advises up to 3mg per kg of bodyweight of curcuminoids, which includes curcumin.
The average daily intake in an Indian diet is much higher, between 60 and 100mg per kg of bodyweight.11
For the best effect, you should have turmeric in combination with black pepper. A 2017 study by USAs Central Michigan University reported that an important compound in black pepper, piperine, can increase the bodys ability to absorb curcumin by 2000%.12
Children under 12 years old and women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not take turmeric, as its safety in these groups not been proven.13
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Final Thoughts On The Side Effects Of Turmeric Curcumin
The side effects of turmeric are moderate and extremely rare. For the vast majority of users, daily supplementation will be side effect free. While there are some drug interactions and safety precautions to be aware of, most users will find that turmerics benefits far outweigh any slight health risks that it may have.
It Might Affect Your Gallbladder
In larger quantities, turmeric has been known to potentially cause some gallbladder problems in a small number of people, especially those who already had preexisting gallbladder trouble. In a study from the Asia Pacific Journal of Nutrition, it was shown that large amounts of turmeric can possibly cause the gallbladder to contract, which can lead to blockages and improper function.
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Tests Show Impact Of Turmeric On Immune System
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Turmeric is also best avoided around surgery since it could cause extra bleeding – the spice has a blood thinning effect – and you should also not have it if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Additionally, research has found that it could also increase the risk of kidney stones.
A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that it significantly increased the levels of oxalate in the urine.
High levels of oxalate can lead to kidney stones forming in at risk people, such as being inactive, taking medications such as aspirin and having Crohns disease.
Before Taking This Medicine
Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have ever had:
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a stomach disorder called gastroesophageal reflux disease
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endometriosis or uterine fibroids or
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cancer of the breast, uterus, ovary .
Turmeric when taken in medicinal amounts is considered likely unsafe to use during pregnancy. Taking turmeric during pregnancy could cause uterine bleeding or contractions.
Turmeric is likely to be safe during pregnancy when used in the small amounts that are found in spices or foods.
Ask a doctor before using this product if you are breast-feeding.
Turmeric taken by mouth may lower testosterone levels and sperm motility in men. This could affect fertility .
Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.
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It Improves Liver Function
Turmeric has been getting attention recently because of its antioxidant abilities. The antioxidant effect of turmeric appears to be so powerful that it may your liver from being damaged by toxins. This could be good news for people who take strong drugs for diabetes or other health conditions that might hurt their liver with long-term use.
How To Make A Turmeric Latte:
A turmeric latte is a beverage made from milk and spices, including turmeric. Turmeric is a yellow-colored spice that has anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric lattes are a popular alternative to coffee beverages
Turmeric can be used in curry recipes, as well as marinades, rubs, and dips for meats, fish, and vegetables. It is also a good addition to rice dishes, soups, and juices.Some people add other ingredients to their turmeric lattes, including cinnamon, ginger, and honey. Here’s how to make a simple turmeric latte:
- In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it begins to bubble around the edges. Do not boil.
- Combine the turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger powder in a mixing bowl. Reduce the heat to low and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat and strain into a mug using a fine mesh strainer.
- Add the honey and stir until it’s well combined. Serve immediately, while the dish is still warm.
If you are looking for a new way to use turmeric, try this Turmeric Latte recipe.
Turmeric, a golden spice and the main ingredient of curry powder, packs in healthy antioxidants. As with any other herb or spices, too much of turmeric can be harmful. However, the positive effects are plentiful. These include cure for various diseases as well as remedy for minor ailments such as cold and cough. Here we focus on ten serious effects of turmeric so you can learn more about this popular spice.
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Defining Curcumin What Is Curcumin
Curcumin is a tricky biochemical. In 2017, a review of more than 120 studies led researchers to believe curcumin is an unstable, reactive, non-bio available compound and, therefore, a highly improbable lead when it comes to medical applications.
We believe that’s true when looking exclusively at curcumin and excluded turmeric. Because most research focused only on the single chemical, they missed many of the enzymes, co-factors, and buffers that support curcumin when used as natural turmeric.
That is why good supplements use the whole food turmeric and measure the amount of curcumin provided rather than isolating a single chemical.
In addition, recent data suggest that the bioavailability of the isolated Curcuminoids can be greatly enhanced when combining it with Black pepper extract.
Thousands of research studies done on turmeric as a whole plant show its effectiveness. Research in the United States is finally catching up with that in India, China, and Russia for the use of turmeric.
We love how this food is getting recognized for the health benefits it can give people.
Perhaps its most potent ability is as an antioxidant. Not only does curcumin work as an antioxidant itself, but it also has shown the ability to boost the bodys own antioxidant enzyme potential.
How Should I Take Turmeric
When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.
If you choose to use turmeric, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.
Turmeric is thought to be possibly safe when used short time as a mouth rinse or as an enema.
Do not use different forms of turmeric at the same time or you could have an overdose.
If you need surgery, dental work, or a medical procedure, stop taking turmeric at least 2 weeks ahead of time.
Store as directed, or at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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