Untitled Document
In healthy human subjects, dosages of 6 grams daily have been associated with minor flatulence and a yellowing of the stool, both of which stopped after supplement cessation. However, it is generally recognized that curcumin does not cause significant short-term toxicity at doses up to 8 grams/day. This dose of curcumin is not completely harmless in non-healthy populations; one clinical trial showed that in cancer patients who ingested curcumin at doses ranging from 0.45 to 3.6 grams/day for 1–4 months, some adverse effects included nausea and diarrhea and an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase. Doses of curcumin ranging from 500 mg/day to 12 grams/day may also produce additional mild side effects, including headache and skin rash. When given 4 grams/day of curcumin, side effects included diarrhea, abdominal distension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Curcumin has been used at doses higher than 8 grams/day in situations in which no effective therapies exist (e.g. advanced pancreatic cancer and other conditions seen in the above-mentioned studies), as toxicity is acceptable in these situations, but no human studies have been conducted to date to test the dose levels which cause long-term toxicity.
There have also been many cases reported of contact dermatitis with curcumin. However, these are usually in occupational setting where other airborne exposures could have contributed or there are other exposures in general that could have contributed to the dermatitis. *
Some people are prone to allergic reactions when taking turmeric, especially after skin exposure. They are likely to experience an itchy rash.
High dosage of turmeric have been associated with:
- • Liver complications
- • Diarrhea
- • Skin burn
- • Nausea
- • Indigestion
- • Increased risk for bleeding
- • Increased liver function tests
Also, avoid taking some medications when you use turmeric. It may be harmful to your health if you are using it with aspirin, clopidogrel or warfarin. *
