Is there a need to worry about turmeric side effects?
Moderate use of Turmeric powder (curcumin) as part of normal diet is safe, it is used in most dishes in India. Many people in India eat it in meals three times a day, 365 days a year. Recent studies have found that a dosage of 500 mg Turmeric capsules 3 times a day is safe. Prolonged consumption of large doses of Turmeric extract may cause stomach or liver distress, as well as dehydration and constipation. However it is said to aid liver function so take this with a pinch of salt (not literally). It should be avoided if you have gallstones or bile obstructions.
If you are currently taking blood thinners (including Aspirin), you should consult your doctor before taking Turmeric, since it is an anti-platelet (prevents blood clots). People under going cheomotherapy should also avoid turmeric, but it has been found to help prevent some forms of cancer and may even help to kill some cancer cells. It is rare that people suffer from side effects of turmeric but there are some cases as follows:
- Upset Stomach: with high prolonged doses some people have reported gastric upset.
- Heartburn: with treatments for stomach ulcers.
- Nausea and diarrhea: with large doses.
- Pregnant women should use caution as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant.
- Surgery: it can slow blood clotting so might cause extra bleeding.
So if you are pregnant do not take turmeric in medicinal doses. Stop taking large doses 2 weeks before any surgery. Lower your dosage if you experience nausea or diarrhea. It is also possible that turmeric may weaken the immune system, so be cautious if you have an immune system deficiency.
If you take turmeric orally it is best to boil it for 10 minutes or so first. This allows the body to absorb the goodness of the spice which comes from its curcumin content. Mixing tumeric with black pepper is thought to make the body absorb it easier too. Oil can also help with absortbtion. Turmeric supplements often contain pipperine to aid absorbtion into the blood stream.
Turmeric is known to thin the blood but there is no evidence to support it causing bleeding, but it should be avoided before any surgery. On the other hand it is ideal for anyone with swelling as it is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. In India it is regularly applies to cuts and minor injuries to help combat swelling and for it’s healing powers.
If you are planning on taking turmeric capsules (or curcumin capsules), make sure you choose a good brand. This will ensure a higher quality supplement and mazimize the chances of it doing good things for your body. Some people simply add a little water to the powder and roll it up into small tablets. However this is unlikely to help very much as the body will not absorb much curcumin in this form.
This yellow spice is very quick to stain dishes, cups, kitchen surfaces and the skin. After it is applies or used on any of these surfaces it is best to wash immediately. Kitchen utensils can be left to soak for a while in water if the stain does not come off immediately. Any really difficult stains can be helped with sunlight. The sun reacts with the coloring to break it down and thus makes it easier to remove.
It should be noted that the powder should not be stored in direct sunlight as that will effect it negatively. Turmeric is one of the most amazing natural foods in the world. It is generally considered safe, if you are unsure about turmeric’s side effect please consult your doctor before consuming it in large amounts. The general rule is that it is safe in the standard quantities found in Asian cuisine. More detailed information on turmeric side effects can be seen here-> side effects of turmeric. This spice is not used in mainstream medicine because there have not been many clinical trials. The few that have been carried out show excellent results for a variety of problems.
More info about this spice and its active ingredient curcumin can be found at Turmeric benefits
