Turmeric, a spice related to ginger, can be really great for you, according to physician Dr. Cynthia Odogwu, MD."Research has shown that turmeric's active ingredient, curcumin, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which makes it beneficial for conditions like osteoarthritis, high blood pressure and diabetes," she tells Parade. Additionally, she notes, "Turmeric can help treat knee pain in people with osteoarthritis of the knee."However, turmeric supplements may do more harm than good, simply because, as Dr. Odogwu puts it, "You can have too much of a good thing. While turmeric is generally safe, high doses can be toxic to the liver. Rarely, turmeric supplements can cause liver injury."Related: This Is the #1 Most Important Habit for Liver Health, According to a Hepatologist
How Much Turmeric Is Too Much Turmeric?
Dr. Odogwu warns that sometimes there actually are none—at least not at first. And sometimes they're subtle, as is the case with a recent news report of one woman who didn't realize she was dealing with liver damage as a result of taking turmeric supplements."The damage to the liver cells can happen without any signs over one month to four months," she says. "When this happens, the liver injury may not be diagnosed until it is severe or even too late. Commonly, people may have their only symptom be general malaise which is a condition where a person just does not feeling well."Once other symptoms do appear, they may include:
Abdominal pain, especially in the right sideBlack, tarry stoolsBruising easilyConfusionDark urineFatigueItchy skinJaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)Loss of appetitePale stoolsSwellingVomiting bloodWeight lossAre Liver Toxicity and Liver Damage Curable or Reversible?
Whether or not you can make a full recovery from liver damage and liver toxicity depends on how far along your condition is. That's why it's important to talk to your doctor ASAP if you may be at risk."When the liver injury is mild to moderate, it can be reversed," Dr. Odogwu explains. "People with severe liver damage from a turmeric supplement may end up needing a liver transplant or even passing away."Related: It's Not Just Alcohol! How Soda, Lack of Sleep and Other Common Habits Harm Your Liver
Do not take turmeric if pregnant or breastfeeding.Choose a supplement that has been through third party testing to avoid taking one with any harmful contaminants.Consider getting a liver test before starting a turmeric supplement to make sure the liver is healthy. (This is where your doc comes in!)Consider cooking with turmeric rather than taking it in pill form—you're more in control of the amount, and, as a bonus, it's pretty delicious.
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Sources:
Dr. Cynthia Odogwu, MD"Evaluations of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)." World Health Organization."Rates of liver injuries rise in the U.S. as supplements grow in popularity." NBC News.Hence then, the article about this popular supplement could be toxic to your liver was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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