Is Turmeric safe?

Introduction

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and its major constituent, curcumin, have been widely used for their medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Despite its extensive use, questions about the safety of turmeric and curcumin remain, especially concerning their potential toxic effects and adverse reactions.

Key Insights

General Safety and Non-Toxicity:
- Turmeric and curcumin are generally recognized as safe, nonmutagenic, and nongenotoxic. They are safe for oral use in humans and animals, with no reproductive toxicity observed in animal studies .
- Human trials have shown that curcumin is safe at doses up to 8,000 mg per day for three months, with no significant toxicity reported .
Mild Adverse Effects:
- Some mild adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal upsets, have been reported with the use of turmeric and curcumin .
Hepatotoxicity Concerns:
- There have been isolated reports of turmeric-induced liver injury, including cases of severe hepatitis, which highlight the need for caution and further investigation into the hepatotoxic potential of turmeric supplements .
Safety in Specific Formulations:
- Turmeric formulations with high bioavailability, such as those combined with piperine, may pose additional risks and require more extensive study to fully understand their safety profiles .
Animal Studies:
- Turmeric and its extracts have been found safe for use in animal feed at specified doses, with no significant adverse effects observed in various species .
Clinical Trials and Meta-Analyses:
- Meta-analyses and clinical trials have confirmed the safety of turmeric and curcumin, with no serious adverse events reported. These studies support their use as a dietary adjunct in managing conditions like cardiovascular diseases .

Conclusion

Turmeric and curcumin are generally safe for human and animal consumption, with extensive studies supporting their non-toxic nature. However, mild gastrointestinal issues and rare cases of severe liver injury have been reported, necessitating cautious use, especially with high-bioavailability formulations. Further research is needed to fully understand the safety profiles of these formulations and to confirm the absence of long-term adverse effects.

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and its major constituent (curcumin) as nontoxic and safe substances: Review

Turmeric and its major constituent curcumin are nontoxic and safe for human use, with potential benefits for anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, and antimicrobial properties.

Safety and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin: a component of tumeric (Curcuma longa).

Curcumin, a component of tumeric, is safe and has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in six human trials, potentially due to its inhibition of various inflammation-related molecules.

Efficacy and safety of turmeric and curcumin in lowering blood lipid levels in patients with cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Turmeric and curcumin may improve serum lipid levels in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease, potentially acting as a well-tolerated dietary adjunct to conventional drugs.

Potential therapeutic effects of curcumin, the anti-inflammatory agent, against neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases.

Curcumin, a component of turmeric, shows potential in preventing and treating various chronic diseases due to its anti-inflammatory properties and pharmacological safety.

Safety of NR-INF-02, an Extract of Curcuma Longa Containing Turmerosaccharides, in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized, Open-label Clinical Trial.

NR-INF-02, an extract of Curcuma longa containing turmerosaccharides, is safe and tolerable at both tested doses for healthy adult volunteers.

Considerations about turmeric-associated hepatotoxicity following a series of cases occurred in Italy: is turmeric really a new hepatotoxic substance?

Turmeric and curcumin in standardized powder form are considered safe in humans, but high bioavailability formulations with piperine may have different safety profiles.

Safety and efficacy of turmeric extract, turmeric oil, turmeric oleoresin and turmeric tincture from Curcuma longa L. rhizome when used as sensory additives in feed for all animal species

Turmeric extract, oil, oleoresin, and tincture are safe and effective as sensory additives in feed for all animal species, with no concerns for consumers or the environment.

Safety Evaluation of Turmeric Polysaccharide Extract: Assessment of Mutagenicity and Acute Oral Toxicity

Turmeric polysaccharide extract (NR-INF-02) is genotoxically safe and has a maximum tolerable dose of more than 5 g/kg rat body weight, making it a safe and effective oral supplement.

Is the use of turmeric in the diet safe for fish

Turmeric is not hepatotoxic for Astyanax aff. bimaculatus fish, but its use is safe at concentrations up to 30.23 g kg1 diet due to its gill toxic effect at higher doses.

Turmeric Induced Liver Injury: A Report of Two Cases

Turmeric supplementation may cause severe hepatitis, highlighting the need for physicians to be aware of potential risks and be aware of patients taking this common supplement.

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