Who Should Not Use Turmeric? Interactions & Side Effects (2024)

  • What Should I Avoid?
    • What should I avoid while taking turmeric?
  • Side Effects
    • What are the side effects of turmeric?
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Who Should Not Use Turmeric? Interactions & Side Effects (1)

People who should not take turmeric include those with gallbladder problems, bleeding disorders, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infertility, iron deficiency, liver disease, hormone-sensitive conditions, and arrhythmia. Pregnant women and those who are going to undergo surgery should not use turmeric.

Turmeric is a spice mainly used in Asian cuisine. It has become famous in the west for the golden or turmeric latte. Apart from its antiseptic and antioxidant benefits, turmeric is also beneficial in food and manufacturing essential oil, perfumes, or resins.

A small amount of turmeric used in culinary dishes poses no harm. However, people who take turmeric as a supplement in gel or tablet form must exercise caution.

Turmeric contains several active alkaloids. Hence, people with the following conditions should avoid it or use it with caution.

  • Gallbladder problems: Turmeric can worsen gallbladder problems because of its ability to increase bile secretion. People should avoid using turmeric supplements if they have gallstones or bile duct obstruction.
  • Bleeding disorders: Turmeric slows blood clotting leading to an increased risk of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders. This is especially important in those who take injectable blood thinners.
  • Diabetes: Curcumin, a chemical present in turmeric, might reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Hence, doctors advise people with diabetes to be cautious because curcumin might drastically reduce their blood sugar levels.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD): Turmeric can worsen stomach problems such as GERD. People with GERD should monitor for exacerbation of symptoms while having turmeric.
  • Infertility: Turmeric may cause infertility in men by
    • Lowering their testosterone levels.
    • Decreasing sperm movement.
    • Hence, men trying to have a baby should use turmeric cautiously.
  • Iron deficiency: High amounts of turmeric may interfere with iron absorption in the body. Therefore, people with iron deficiency should use turmeric cautiously.
  • Liver disease: There is some concern that turmeric might damage the liver, especially in people with liver disease. Do not use turmeric supplements if you have liver problems.
  • Surgery: Turmeric should be stopped two weeks before a scheduled surgery because of the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Turmeric results in delaying the formation of blood clots.
  • Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Curcumin in turmeric may act like the hormone estrogen. Although some studies support using turmeric in hormone-sensitive conditions, other studies oppose it. Until there is solid evidence, it is better to use turmeric cautiously if you have any hormone-sensitive issues.
  • Pregnancy: Turmeric is a uterine stimulant and may induce the menstrual cycle in pregnant women. Thus, pregnant women should avoid taking turmeric supplements.
  • Heart arrhythmia: There is a report of a man who consumed 1,500 grams of turmeric in a day and succumbed to an abnormal heart rhythm.

What should I avoid while taking turmeric?

Avoid taking turmeric together with other herbal supplements with turmeric gels or lozenges. This is because of the risk of dangerous drug interactions that may cause more harm than good to the body. These reactions include

These herbal supplements also affect blood clotting and when taken with turmeric can cause dangerous bleeding tendencies.

Moreover, avoid turmeric together with herbal supplements that may lower your blood sugar levels.

  • Alpha-lipoic acid
  • Chromium
  • Damiana
  • Devil's claw
  • Fenugreek
  • Garlic
  • Guar gum
  • Horse chestnut
  • Panax ginseng
  • Psyllium
  • Siberian ginseng

What are the side effects of turmeric?

Turmeric is usually safe when taken orally. Some people may experience mild side effects such as

Stop using turmeric immediately if you have the following symptoms:

  • Unusual bruising or bleeding
  • Bleeding that would not stop
  • High blood sugars
Who Should Not Use Turmeric? Interactions & Side Effects (2)

QUESTION

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Medically Reviewed on 1/20/2023

References

Medscape Medical Reference

Who Should Not Use Turmeric? Interactions & Side Effects (2024)

FAQs

Who Should Not Use Turmeric? Interactions & Side Effects? ›

Do not use turmeric if you have gallstones or a bile duct obstruction. Bleeding problems: Taking turmeric might slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Who cannot use turmeric? ›

People who should not take turmeric include those with gallbladder problems, bleeding disorders, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infertility, iron deficiency, liver disease, hormone-sensitive conditions, and arrhythmia.

What medications cannot be taken with turmeric? ›

Turmeric may interfere with the action of these drugs, increasing the production of stomach acid:
  • Cimetidine (Tagamet)
  • Famotidine (Pepcid)
  • Ranitidine (Zantac)
  • Esomeprazole (Nexium)
  • Omeprazole (Prilosec)
  • Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

What vitamins should you not take with turmeric? ›

Turmeric can make it harder for your body to absorb iron. Tell your doctor if you are taking an iron supplement. Avoid using turmeric together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting.

What organ does turmeric affect? ›

The antioxidant effect of turmeric appears to be so powerful that it may stop 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.

What are the negatives of turmeric? ›

Mild side effects include upset stomach, acid reflux, diarrhea, dizziness, and headaches. Consuming large doses of turmeric supplements can significantly increase urinary oxalate levels, increasing the risk of kidney stone formation.

Can you take turmeric with high blood pressure medication? ›

As with many other medications, though, it is important to consult your doctor about taking blood pressure medicine alongside plant extracts. This includes turmeric extract. Turmeric may not react well with some medications, including blood pressure medication.

When should you not take turmeric? ›

High doses of turmeric could have a blood-thinning effect; if taken on top of prescribed anticoagulants, this could increase the risk of dangerous bleeding. People with liver or bile duct problems should not take turmeric supplements, as they can increase bile production.

What happens to your body when you take turmeric every day? ›

Most research shows that taking curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric, by mouth reduces depression symptoms in people already using an antidepressant. High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Taking turmeric by mouth seems to lower levels of blood fats called triglycerides.

Is turmeric safe for the kidneys? ›

While it is generally a safe spice, consuming too much turmeric could lead to certain side effects, including the formation of kidney stones. If you are predisposed to kidney stones, you should avoid taking curcumin-based supplements before speaking to your doctor.

Can turmeric and vitamin D be taken together? ›

Yes, yes, indeed! Turmeric and vitamin D are safe to take together and may even have synergistic effects. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. It's important to choose high-quality supplements that are free from contaminants.

Is it OK to take turmeric and B12 together? ›

No interactions were found between turmeric and Vitamin B12.

Does turmeric burn belly fat? ›

Turmeric has many health advantages. Turmeric may reduce the fat deposit in the body. It could help reduce body fat and body weight as per animal studies. You can mix some turmeric in a glass of warm water and take it every morning to reduce belly fat.

How much turmeric per day is safe? ›

“It's safe to take up to 8 grams per day, but my recommendation would be somewhere on the lighter side: 500 to 1,000 milligrams a day for the general population,” says Hopsecger. For optimal absorption, try taking with heart-healthy fats like oils, avocado, nuts and seeds, she adds.

Is 1 teaspoon of turmeric a day enough? ›

Turmeric is also an excellent ally for those who want to lose weight: it stimulates the metabolism and reduces the assimilation of sugars. The recommended daily dose for turmeric powder is about 3 grams per day, which is equivalent to a teaspoon.

What does turmeric do to the skin? ›

Turmeric helps brighten skin and the appearance of uneven tone, leaving you with clearer skin. Your skin wounds may heal a lot quicker when you wash with turmeric soap. The anti-inflammatory properties decrease the skin's inflammation; and speed up the skin's ability to form new tissue.

Are some people sensitive to turmeric? ›

Similar to how Timothy Grass or Sheep Sorrel can trigger allergic reactions, turmeric can be a potent allergen for sensitized individuals. It's also important to note that turmeric can interact with certain medications, enhancing their effects or causing adverse reactions.

Is turmeric hard on kidneys? ›

Turmeric contains oxalates and this can increase the risk of kidneys stones. “The consumption of supplemental doses of turmeric can significantly increase urinary oxalate levels, thereby increasing risk of kidney stone formation in susceptible individuals.”

What is the problem with turmeric? ›

These may include: Digestive issues: People may experience mild digestive issues such diarrhea. Headache: Doses of 500 mg or higher may cause headache and nausea in a small number of people. Skin rash: Some people have reported a skin rash after taking curcumin, but this seems to be very rare.

Will turmeric affect blood work? ›

Turmeric is a spice that's a common ingredient in curry powder. As a supplement, its active ingredient, curcumin, has several medicinal uses, including the potential to increase blood platelet levels. Blood platelets help your body form clots and manage bleeding. Many health conditions can lead to a low platelet count.

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