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What are the Most Common Turmeric Side Effects?

Ron Marr
Ron Marr

Turmeric side effects are common, especially when the spice is consumed in large doses. In scientific circles, however, researchers have yet to determine if positive benefits outweigh the negative side effects of turmeric. The key to avoiding bad turmeric reactions appears to lie mainly in common sense and moderate consumption.

Research findings are incomplete, but early tests seem to show that turmeric is an antioxidant possessing many of the indicators required to fight cancer. Herbs and spices should never be considered replacements for medical therapies, but they can be used in conjunction with a health regimen prescribed by a physician. Turmeric may help lower blood sugar, act as an anti-inflammatory, and play a role in reducing the effects of cardiovascular and Alzheimer’s disease.

Turmeric side effects may include a contraction of the gallbladder.
Turmeric side effects may include a contraction of the gallbladder.

Negative side effects from turmeric are numerous, but most seem to stem from consuming too much of the spice. The number one side effect is diarrhea, but the substance may also function as a blood thinner. Because of this latter suspicion, people suffering from hemophilia are advised to consult with a physician before taking turmeric. The same warning is given to those with gallstones, since side effects appear to include a contraction of the gallbladder.

Turmeric may lower a person's blood pressure.
Turmeric may lower a person's blood pressure.

According to animal studies conducted at the V.P. Chest Institute of the University of Delhi, India, turmeric displays a tendency to lower blood pressure. Even though reduced blood pressure is usually considered to be a good thing, physicians warn that taking turmeric could be dangerous for people who are already on medication for high blood pressure. Unwanted side effects from turmeric may also involve interference with a prescription drugs, particularly antacids and medications designed to reduce inflammation, thin the blood, and reduce blood sugar levels.

Turmeric powder.
Turmeric powder.

Turmeric side effects on otherwise healthy people frequently revolve around taking too much of the spice. The analogy could be made to the old adage of “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” While eating one or two apples a day is a good practice, eating an entire bag would almost certainly have gastrointestinal consequences. That same line of logic should be applied to turmeric.

Taking too much turmeric may result in gastrointestinal distress.
Taking too much turmeric may result in gastrointestinal distress.

Pregnant women, diabetics, people with high blood pressure, and those with ulcers should always consult with a doctor before taking turmeric. It may be a powerful spice with more than a few beneficial qualities. Turmeric side effects could, however, just as easily prove dangerous for anyone on specific medications for a pre-existing condition.

Discussion Comments

anon1004574

Your body will absorb it much better when taken with a pinch of black pepper. A lot of turmeric brands have a large amount of lead, so best to spend the extra money and get a good quality and safe product. The safest I have found is Liquid Gold through the Health Ranger store. Mike Adams is very health oriented. He also does his own testing on products from other companies in his own labs. If they don't pass his very high standards, he won't sell them through his store.

anon996887

I think high dose curcumin (the main part of tumeric) has really messed me up. Stomach issues, gas, burping, malaise, tiny fever, chills. Oh and a little diarrhea. Time will tell. I stopped taking it 2 days ago. Everyone is different. Curcumin is highly concentrated.

anon991624

The side effect is kidney stones if you take a lot of turmeric since it contains oxalates. Keep that in mind and make sure your not mass consuming other foods with oxalates as well if you are going to be taking a turmeric/turmeric based supplement. Like the author said, moderation is key.

anon969783

So the "side effects" and "dangers" of turmeric are that it interferes with chemical drugs. The answer: don't take chemical drugs.

anon948643

Turmeric is amazingly beneficial to people's well-being. Like many things in life, one has to learn what dosage is right for each individual. In my case, it has given me tremendous energy, to the point that if I take some late in the day, it will keep me awake during the night. My wife is diabetic, taking insulin shots every day, and we learned the hard way how turmeric can lower her blood sugar levels to a point of danger. Doctors and Big Pharma are not likely to be appreciative of turmeric's health benefits.

anon340066

Most doctors give you a pitying smile when you ask/tell them about natural remedies and are not in the least interested in their effects.

anon336051

I found this article to be biased towards pharmaceutical drugs. Turmeric has a very safe history, unlike all pharmaceuticals and since they couldn't name any side effects, nor could I find any on the internet, then I am not believing it. I have, however, noticed that since I have been taking turmeric in powder form, two teaspoons a day, I do not need to have anti inflammatory drugs for the arthritis I have. I recommend it.

anon320695

It is wonderful. It is antiseptic and relieves pain.

nk66

I chewed 10 gram of raw turmeric for few days. It did not have any side effects. But when I used a half tsp of turmeric powder in divided doses for two days, my leg skin, which had already an itching problem with a ring-like rash and small red eruptions was aggravated with a lot of itching and also my blood sugar increased. What dose of turmeric powder can I safely take for my benign enlarged prostate gland?

anon271769

I believe it is a miracle root. I will be using it for as long as I can because it has helped me tremendously. I don't have any illnesses, but was searching for someone dear to me when I came across it. I decided to try it myself and it increased my energy levels tremendously. It improved my mood and clarity of thought along with mental and physical stamina. I had just accepted low energy, stamina as part of getting older, but turmeric has helped me feel more vibrant. It has helped me sleep better and I could get out of bed easier without struggling to wake up. I have a low/moderate amount of IBS and it has reduced it to almost where I can drink milk again without running to the bathroom. It also reduced my moderate acid reflux, and now I don't take zantec anymore. The minor joint/muscle aches that I chronically had have almost disappeared. I've recommended turmeric/curcumin supplement to almost everyone I know, several have taken it and they've seem similar positive results.

If you have any of these symptoms, just try it one bottle and you will not be disappointed If you have low energy, low stamina, IBS, sensitive stomach, heartburn/acid reflex, joint or muscle pain, mental fog, mild depression or "blues," try it. And the wonderful thing is that it works very quickly. You will see results within days or at most one or two weeks. It is very safe; just drink lots of water because it can dehydrate you a bit. Otherwise it's been used as traditional medicine for thousands of years and there have been many studies with no recorded side effects! The main reason why turmeric helps with so many conditions is that it is a very powerful anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is the root cause of a lot of pain and disease. Joint, muscle, stomach and even brain inflammation when reduced provide a lot of relief.

Not everyone's system is the same, so all I can say is that it worked wonders for me. When I stop taking it, the symptoms start coming back within days, so I will need to continue taking it. I never thought much about natural remedies, but turmeric has made me a believer. Make sure you take it with food and preferably with fat or oil. Turmeric is not water soluble, so the only way it is absorbed is by fat or oil in your system. I take mine with fish oil. This brand is supposed to be more absorbable than other brands, but it's still best to take it with fat or oil. If you take it and don't see noticeable effects, increase the dosage. I take 1000mg, but larger individuals could take double that. Thorne is the best brand and can be found on amazon. Good luck!

anon107925

the problem is 90 percent of doctors don't know about Turmeric, let alone knowing about its benefits and side effects!

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    • Turmeric side effects may include a contraction of the gallbladder.
      By: snapgalleria
      Turmeric side effects may include a contraction of the gallbladder.
    • Turmeric may lower a person's blood pressure.
      By: Phase4Photography
      Turmeric may lower a person's blood pressure.
    • Turmeric powder.
      By: Elena Moiseeva
      Turmeric powder.
    • Taking too much turmeric may result in gastrointestinal distress.
      By: Sophie James
      Taking too much turmeric may result in gastrointestinal distress.
    • Diarrhea is one possible side effect of too much turmeric.
      By: JPagetRFphotos
      Diarrhea is one possible side effect of too much turmeric.