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Curcumin Side Effects- Liver Injury

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I’ve often wondered if curcumin side effects could hurt me. I ask this question first because I take many nutritional supplements daily but more to the point, I’ve been taking curcumin for more than ten years.

As a multiple myeloma survivor, there are many evidence-based reasons for supplementing with curcumin.

Be aware however, that there is also the risk of curcumin side effects.


Curcumon do’s and don’t’s-


Here are some documented side effects of curcumin/turmeric supplementation:

1. Gastrointestinal Issues

  • Nausea: Some individuals experience nausea, especially when taking curcumin on an empty stomach.
  • Diarrhea: High doses may lead to diarrhea or loose stools.
  • Indigestion and bloating: Curcumin can irritate the stomach lining in sensitive individuals, leading to bloating, gas, or stomach cramps.

2. Allergic Reactions

  • Some people may experience allergic reactions, particularly if they are allergic to turmeric or related plants like ginger. This could manifest as a rash, hives, or even more severe reactions such as difficulty breathing.

3. Increased Risk of Bleeding

  • Blood-thinning effects: Curcumin has anticoagulant properties, which may increase the risk of bleeding, especially when taken in combination with blood-thinning medications like warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel.
  • Post-surgery complications: Due to its effect on blood clotting, it is often recommended to discontinue turmeric supplementation before surgical procedures.

4. Gallbladder Issues

  • Gallstones or bile duct obstruction: Turmeric stimulates bile production, which can be problematic for individuals with gallbladder disease or a history of gallstones.

5. Liver Problems (in very high doses)

  • There have been rare reports of liver toxicity in cases of extremely high doses of curcumin supplements. While turmeric in food is safe, excessive supplement intake might stress the liver.

6. Lower Blood Sugar

  • Curcumin may reduce blood sugar levels, which could be beneficial for some, but it could also pose a risk for those with diabetes or hypoglycemia, especially when taken with medications that lower blood sugar.

7. Iron Absorption Inhibition

  • Curcumin may inhibit the absorption of iron from the digestive tract, potentially causing problems for those with iron-deficiency anemia.

8. Interactions with Medications

  • Curcumin can interact with several medications, including:
    • Blood thinners: Increases the risk of bleeding.
    • Diabetes medications: May enhance the effect of blood sugar-lowering drugs.
    • Chemotherapy drugs: May interfere with certain cancer treatments.
    • Acid reflux medications: Curcumin may increase stomach acid, worsening reflux symptoms in some people.

9. Hormonal Effects (Estrogen-like activity)

  • Some studies suggest that curcumin might act as a phytoestrogen, potentially affecting hormone levels, which may be of concern for individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions, such as breast cancer.

According to research, curcumin is “well-tolerated” when taken in recommended doses. I believe the recommended dose is between 500mg and 2000mg. In the world of multiple myeloma, I read about many people with active disease who take 4000mg to 8000mg.

On the one hand, I understand why people with an incurable blood cancer take large doses of an evidence-based therapy that kills myeloma yet may also cause side effects.

The only way that I can think of to reduce the risk of the side effects outlined below is to take a regular pause from supplementation. Meaning, when I empty a bottle of curcumin, I take a break while I order the next bottle.

If you have any questions about curcumin email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com

thanks,

David Emerson

  • MM Survivor
  • MM Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Turmeric supplement-associated hepatitis: a clinicopathological series of 11 cases highlighting pan-lobular and zone 3 injury

Aims: Although turmeric is commonly ingested and well tolerated, there is increasing evidence that over-the-counter turmeric supplements can cause drug-induced liver injury. We sought to thoroughly characterise clinicopathological features of patients for whom liver injury was attributed clinically to turmeric supplements.

Methods and results: We identified 11 patients via retrospective pathology archive review: 10 females (91%) and one male, with a median age of 58 years (range = 37-66 years).

  • Six patients (55%) were asymptomatic with abnormal liver function tests,
  • while five patients (45%) presented with malaise and/or jaundice.
  • Ten patients (91%) showed predominant transaminase abnormalities,
  • while one exhibited predominant alkaline phosphatase elevation.

Histologically, biopsies showed acute hepatitis (eight cases, 73%, including five pan-lobular and three zone 3-predominant inflammation), scattered lobular aggregates of histiocytes (two; 18%) and a chronic hepatitis pattern of injury (one; 9%). Mild bile duct injury was present in five biopsies (45%).

All patients stopped ingesting turmeric supplements after presenting with liver injury, and four patients additionally received steroid therapy; liver function tests normalised in all patients.

Roussel Uclaf causality assessment method (RUCAM) analysis estimated the likelihood of turmeric supplement-associated liver injury to be probable (eight cases) and possible (three).

Conclusions: Histological features in the ‘possible’ cases were consistent with drug-induced injury, highlighting the added benefit of histological analysis relative to RUCAM analysis isolation.

This study underscores the need to obtain a full history of over-the-counter medications and supplements when investigating aetiologies for liver injury, including supplements purportedly containing innocuous compounds such as turmeric.”

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