Turmeric’s health benefits are rooted in the impressive potential of its active ingredient, Curcumin. For this reason, turmeric has been venerated for generations in Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic tradition as a health aid and digestive cure-all. Modern medicine recognizes the powerful advantage curcumin confers in its role in assisting in anti-inflammatory digestive relief and supporting overall systemic health. That said, it is important to know how to take curcumin properly to avoid side effects.
Curcumin extract, when dosed properly and filtered through high-grade testing, has a few side effects; but turmeric supplements are a whole different story. Turmeric supplements are often contaminated with heavy metals and do not undergo the same scrutiny as curcumin supplements and extracts. Therefore, it is essential to receive all dietary supplements through a licensed, responsible provider such as Evinature, which tests all supplements through rigorous third-party testing and uses reliable sourcing to make sure none of its products are contaminated.
Read on to understand more about the use of curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, and how to avoid the side effects raw turmeric extract can cause.
How to Use Turmeric Safely–Use Curcumin Instead
Turmeric as a food-grade supplement, can’t do much to assist in digestive discomfort. While there is a lot of advice online trying to sell consumers on the idea of turmeric capsules and teas designed to reduce bloating, here’s the truth: turmeric on the food-grade level (i.e. in teas and powders) isn’t effective enough for long-lasting change. In order to reap the benefits of turmeric, you would need the active ingredient, curcumin, concentrated and dosed enough to impact your gut health in a meaningful manner. As a clinical-grade supplement, concentrated turmeric can be very dangerous, due to the risks of liver toxicity, heavy metal poisoning, and blood thinning effects. This is due to the other components of the turmeric plant, though concentrated curcumin, on its own, does not have that effect.
Therefore, to take turmeric safely–don’t. Take the active component of turmeric, curcumin, from a licensed provider with certified testing for heavy metals and quality, such as the extract found in Evinature’s CurQD® and Cura formulas.
Start with a low dose and monitor how your body responds. If you experience any unusual symptoms, reduce your dosage or pause use. Always consult with a healthcare professional if you are taking medications or managing a chronic condition.
Evinature provides personalized guidance and support to help customers track their response to supplements and use them safely.
Safe Use Tips:
- Begin with small amounts and increase gradually.
- Take with food to reduce the risk of stomach irritation.
- Stay hydrated and avoid combining with alcohol.
- Speak with a doctor if you’re taking medications or managing a health condition.
Common Side Effects
Many people experience side effects when taking turmeric supplements, although they often attribute them to their changing condition rather than the root issue, the unregulated turmeric itself. Here’s what to look out for:
- Upset Stomach – Mild gastrointestinal discomfort may occur, especially on an empty stomach; more common in women. This is due to the likelihood of heavy metal poisoning, malabsorption, and liver toxicity caused by the whole turmeric plant; however, this is much reduced when taking curcumin supplements sourced from a reliable producer like Evinature.
- Headache – Some users report headaches when taking large doses.
- Nausea – A common reaction of turmeric, especially when taken in high doses or without food.
- Dizziness –This can be due to a number of ways that the turmeric plant interacts with the body. Most commonly, components of turmeric interfere with iron absorption in the large intestine, leading to symptoms of anemia, including dizziness and fatigue. If you experience these symptoms, stop taking turmeric immediately and speak to your healthcare provider for guidance.
- Liver Issues –Concentrated doses of turmeric supplements have been associated with liver issues and potential toxicity, due to the lack of regulation of heavy metals, plus the many components of turmeric aside from isolated curcumin that can lead to the development of hepatitis. We strongly urge patients to avoid using turmeric supplements and instead use curcumin supplements for this reason.
- Bleeding Risks – Turmeric can affect blood clotting; caution is needed, especially for people on blood thinners. This, however, has not been observed in patients taking curcumin supplements and has even proven safe in pregnant individuals, where the risk for blood clotting events is higher.
- Gallbladder Problems – Can aggravate existing gallstones or bile duct blockages.
- Anemia – High turmeric intake interferes with iron absorption. This risk, however, has been less commonly observed in patients taking curcumin supplements such as Evinature’s CurQD® and Cura.
- Low Blood Sugar – Turmeric may enhance the effects of medications used for blood sugar control. Therefore, this poses a significant risk for patients with absorption issues that are common in gut disorders, as well as individuals at risk for diabetes.
- Kidney Problems (Oxalate) – Turmeric contains oxalates, which in large quantities could contribute to kidney stones in susceptible individuals. However, curcumin, when properly sourced, has not been associated with the same level of risk.
Who Shouldn’t Take Turmeric?
Taking turmeric as a supplement is not recommended, given the tremendous risk of heavy metal poisoning and lack of oversight in manufacturing. Certain populations should approach it with even more caution or avoid it entirely:
- Children and Elderly Populations – More sensitive to changes in dosage and effects.
- People with Low Blood Pressure – Turmeric may lower blood pressure further.
- People with Diabetes – Turmeric can enhance insulin sensitivity and blood sugar reduction.
- People with Gallbladder Disease – May exacerbate symptoms or interfere with bile flow.
- Pregnancy – High doses are not recommended during pregnancy, particularly in supplement form.
- Breastfeeding – The safety of turmeric supplements during breastfeeding has not been established.
- Medically Compromised – Those scheduled for surgery especially should avoid turmeric due to its potential impact on blood clotting and risk of complications.
- People with Gut Disorders – This should go without saying, but anything that does not support your gut health should not be there. Curcumin, on the other hand, supports gut motility, enhances absorption, and is formulated to enhance gut health with thorough testing.
Interactions and Special Conditions
Turmeric may interact with certain medications, supplements, or health conditions. Speak to your doctor if you are taking:
- Blood Thinners – Including Warfarin, Aspirin, or Ibuprofen.
- Diabetes Medications – Turmeric may enhance the glucose-lowering effects of certain medications.
- Chemotherapy Drugs – These may interfere with the metabolism or effectiveness of certain drugs. Most patients with gut disorders have been on two or more of these drugs–-therefore it is essential to avoid taking turmeric supplements. Curcumin supplements, in contrast, have been clinically proven to be safe, especially those tested and marketed by Evinature. Look for third-party and heavy metal testing.
- Tylenol (Acetaminophen) – Potential impact on liver function when combined.
- Iron Supplements – Turmeric may reduce iron absorption.
- Alcohol – Increases the risk of stomach or liver irritation.
To minimize risks, always disclose turmeric use to your healthcare provider, especially if you are managing a health condition or taking prescription medications.
Summer Pitocchelli-Schwartzman
