Even though we all know the amazing benefits of turmeric, there are side effects which not too many people are aware of. For that reason you have to be aware of those side effects before you incorporate it into your diets. Try to avoid it as a supplement if in case you have one of the following medical conditions.
A statement from a team from the University Of Maryland Medical Center said that turmeric and curcumin supplement are considered safe when taken at recommended doses. However, the National Institutes of health classified it as “likely safe”.
The anti-inflammatory properties connected to a lot of positive health benefits and relieve inflammation-related disorders like stomach, psoriasis, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, sciatica, and osteoarthritis. Some researchers try to find a connection of turmeric’s capabilities to protect brain cells after stroke. Moreover, it protects the brain against Alzheimer’s dementia as well.
However, there are potential negative effects of this root. There are some situations where you should stop taking it. These are the most common side effects of turmeric: Blood thinning – according to the NIH, turmeric may slow blood clotting, thus you have to avoid combining it with any coagulant or antiplatelet. In case you take blood thinning medications, consult with a health provider before you take any turmeric supplements. Blood thinner medications are aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.), warfarin (Coumadin), and naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, etc.). Thus do not take turmeric if you take these medications. If in case you take herbal supplements (angelica, clove, danshen, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, red clover, and willow) for blood clotting then you should also avoid turmeric as it can slow blood clotting. Also, do not consume turmeric prior a surgical procedure.
Diabetes – turmeric lowers blood sugar, thus if you take diabetes medications, avoid it as it may cause the blood sugar fall even further, resulting in hypoglycemia.
Gallbladder – if you have gallbladder, gallstones, or a bile duct obstruction, avoid turmeric as it may worsen the condition.
Pregnancy – turmeric stimulates the uterus or promotes menstrual period.
Stomach complications – the interference with antacid medications is a side effect of turmeric as it may cause increased stomach acid is taken with antacid drugs like Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac, Prevacid, or Nexium. You have to be cautious on how turmeric affects you if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease. It may worsen the reflux.
Kidney stones – the risk of this condition can be increased if you consume turmeric due to the soluble oxalates. There are great amounts of soluble oxalates that create insoluble calcium oxalate by attaching to calcium. That is responsible for most cases of all kidney stones. Even moderate amounts of it is not recommended for people who have tendency to form kidney stones. 1 tsp daily or 40-50 mg daily would be OK.
Recommended turmeric dosage
The maximum amount of standardized turmeric is 2,000 mg daily. The University of Maryland recommends 1-3 grams daily when cooking with ground turmeric (1 gr is ½ tsp, 3 gr are 1½ tsp of ground turmeric powder).
According to the University of Maryland, there is no recommended dosage for children, but for adults it is 400-600 mg of standardized curcumin powder 1-3 times daily. 500 mg of it can be taken up to 4 times a day.
NIH has a specific dosage recommendations which include:
Osteoarthritis – 500 mg 2 times per day of the supplement that contains Meriva, or 500 mg of it 4 times per day of a non-commercial product.
Rheumatoid arthritis – 500 mg 2 times a day of Curcumin BCM-95 extract.
THIS HAPPENED WHEN I STARTED DRINKING TURMERIC GOLDEN MILK BEFORE BED BY GILLIAN B
The Golden paste is a turmeric-based paste that taken orally provides health benefits to humans as well as animals (dogs and horses). Turmeric, known for is anti-inflammatory properties and used medicinally for over 4,000 years, is excellent for arthritis, skin health, digestion, immune system, and even cancer. Recent studies have confirmed that it may be as effective as 14 different prescription drugs – without the adverse side effects.
Taking it daily in this paste is designed to improve absorption, an easy way to tap into its incredible healing benefits.
How to make Golden Paste:
½ cup turmeric powder
1 cup spring water (+ ½ extra if necessary)
1.5 tsp ground black pepper
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil Directions:
Mix water (1 cup) with turmeric powder in a pan and slowly heat it up and stir for 6-10 minutes until you get a thick paste (add the additional ½ cup water if it is too thick).
Add black pepper and oil and continue stirring until all the ingredients are fully mixed in together.
Allow the paste to cool. Store in the refrigerator in a jar for up to 1-2 weeks.
This recipe was developed by Doug English, a veterinarian who has utilized the ancient healing spice in all manner of animals ranging from dogs to cats to the most exotic types like alpacas and even crocodiles. Why add Black Pepper? It is beneficial to take black pepper with turmeric because it helps the body absorb turmeric.
A 1992 report in Clinical Pharmacokinetics on black pepper explained why some studies did not show the same benefits of turmeric as the others did. The human body has a tough time utilizing curcumin effectively. However just a small amount of black pepper boosted bioavailability of curcumin by up to 2000%, the study shows.
How to Use Golden Paste: A lot of people incorporate the golden paste into their diet or daily routine, instead of taking it once in a while like a “medication.” The paste can be taken as is in small amount (1/4 tsp) 2 to 3 times a day, or mixed with honey for a better taste.
It also can be added to different dishes: salads, smoothies, curries, rice or soup. Experiment with what tastes better for you.
Recommended Turmeric Dosage:
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends the following daily dosages for adults:
Raw root: 1.5-3 grams
Powdered turmeric: 1-3 grams
Curcumin standardized powder: 400-600 mg, three times a day
Liquid extract (1:1): 30-90 drops
Tincture (1:2): 15-30 drops, four times a day
Note: many studies have shown that higher doses of turmeric are needed for greater medicinal benefits. Standard dosage may be better for preventative, every day use.
Golden Milk
Another way to consume turmeric for its many health benefits is in golden milk form.
How to Make Golden Milk:
1 teaspoon of organic coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon of turmeric paste
1 cup of almond milk
Organic, raw, unfiltered honey for taste
Directions:
Mix all the ingredients together over medium heat except the honey. Do not allow it to boil. Add a bit of honey for taste and drink as soon as it is cool enough. So I bet you want to know what happened when I started drinking turmeric milk before bed….
I did it for a two week period as a gentle detox for my digestive system. Turmeric calms and soothes inflammation and also is very detoxifying for the liver and gallbladder. I found that after my little experiment, my digestion was much smoother, no more gas or bloating after eating. As a side bonus, the whites of my eyes are much whiter!
Health Benefits of Turmeric:
What is curcumin? Curcumin is the principle curcuminoid, a compound in turmeric that gives it its yellow color and is also responsible for the amazing health benefits. The percentage of curcumin in turmeric varies depending on type – medicinal or aromatic, as well as where it was grown, and how it was processed. Some percentage of curcumin is lost during the heating process when making turmeric powder, which is why raw turmeric is very healthy.
A 2010 peer-reviewed a research article published in The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology concluded that “the various effects of curcumin has been widely studied in Western systems of medicine for decades, and has been found to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Considering that inflammation plays a major role in most chronic illnesses, anti-inflammatory agents are needed for prevention purposes. Because curcumin inhibits multiple pro-inflammatory pathways and is affordable, this phytochemical should be further explored for prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases.”
Other uses of Turmeric:
Turmeric and Arthritis: In traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurveda medicine, turmeric is used to treat arthritis. A 2006 study found the turmeric helps reduce join inflammation. A different study from the same year found turmeric to have anti-arthritic effect. And a 2012 study provided evidence that curcumin might even be more effective for rheumatoid arthritis than anti-inflammatory drugs.
Turmeric for Digestive Issues: Curcumin stimulates the gallbladder to produce more bile, which may aid digestion. The German Commission E, a scientific advisory board equivalent to the FDA, approved turmeric for digestive problems.
A 2006 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found curcumin helpful for keeping ulcerative colitis in remission. And a 2013 paper concluded that curcumin is “a very promising new therapeutic option for the treatment of gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases for which present therapies are largely unsatisfactory.”
Turmeric as First Aid: Turmeric can be used to treat wounds, cuts, rashes, bruises, insect bites, and swelling. A 2014 article from Life Sciences concluded that topical application of curcumin has a great therapeutic effect on skin wounds. Also, a 2006 study concluded that it accelerated wound healing.
For a turmeric paste to use topically all you need is 1 part turmeric powder and 8 parts of water (the paste keeps in the freezer). Warning: Do NOT use on open wounds that can get infected.
