As we all know, turmeric or haldi is said to produce heat and warm the body. In case you have too much turmeric, you might end up with severe inflammation in your stomach which can cause diarhhoea. Some people also experience abdominal pain and cramps.
Long used in Ayurvedic medicine to control inflammation and pain and for upper respiratory infections, turmeric contains compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant affects.
Turmeric usually does not cause significant side effects; however, some people can experience stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea. In one report, a person who took very high amounts of turmeric, over 1500 mg twice daily, experienced a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used for 4,000 years to treat a variety of conditions. Studies show that turmeric may help fight infections and some cancers, reduce inflammation, and treat digestive problems.
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric can be especially helpful for those with arthritis. This includes both degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) and inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, or others).
“Like other colorful plant-based foods, turmeric is rich in phytonutrients that may protect the body by neutralizing free radicals (pollution, sunlight) and shielding the cells from damage.” Diets rich in plant-based foods are associated with prevention of medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease.
Recommended turmeric dosage
The recommended doses of many studies that used turmeric supplements vary from 500-2000 mg per day and higher doses above 10,000 mg per day are also not recommended for long-term use.
Taking a turmeric supplement for four to eight weeks could help to improve the effects of inflammation such as ease the pain of stiff joints or help to improve our general health.
And a recent analysis of research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food on turmeric extracts concluded that eight to 12 weeks of treatment with standardized turmeric extracts can reduce pain due to arthritis, compared with placebo.
High doses of turmeric could have a blood-thinning effect; if taken on top of prescribed anticoagulants, this could increase the risk of dangerous bleeding. People with liver or bile duct problems should not take turmeric supplements, as they can increase bile production.
According to a study published in the Nutrition Journal, it is thought that turmeric has a half-life (the time it takes the body to eliminate half of a drug) of 6-7 hours.
Taking turmeric supplements may put you at a higher risk of getting kidney stones. Don't take turmeric supplements if: You're taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil , Motrin ), or Acetaminophen (Tylenol ). Turmeric may lessen the effects of these medications.
Turmeric and curcumin have been associated with a low rate of transient serum enzyme elevations during therapy and while having a long history of safety, turmeric products have recently been implicated in over a dozen instances of clinically apparent acute liver injury.
While it is generally a safe spice, consuming too much turmeric could lead to certain side effects, including the formation of kidney stones. If you are predisposed to kidney stones, you should avoid taking curcumin-based supplements before speaking to your doctor.
Turmeric is a naturally occurring ingredient and is widely considered safe to take regularly, especially at doses around 500 mg, according to Ruhoy.
Generally speaking, a dose of 500 mg to 2,000 mg of turmeric is usually recommended. This is based on the dosages used in studies. Look for products that list the actual amount of curcumin in the supplement for best results. Doses of over 8 grams of curcumin per day are not recommended due to the risk of side effects.
Dr. Weil recommends taking 400 to 600 milligrams of turmeric extracts (available in tablets or capsules) three times per day or as directed on the product label. Juli Johnson agrees. “3000 milligrams a day is a great dose. Most studies recommend between 2000 and 6000 milligrams a day,” she says.
The Arthritis Foundation recommends 400 to 600 milligrams (mg) of turmeric capsules, three times per day, or half to three grams of the root powder per day for inflammation relief.
According to a study conducted at the Tufts University, curcumin can actually suppress fat tissue growth. Another way in which turmeric helps in losing weight by regulating sugar levels and further preventing insulin resistance. This results in excess fat that is not retained in the body.
Unfortunately, turmeric doesn't offer a quick fix, so you'll need to take it daily to notice results. If you were wondering how long it takes turmeric to work, this can vary from person to person. However, you should usually expect to start noticing improvements in around 4-8 weeks when taken daily.