Turmeric is often touted as a natural cure-all for most common ailments. It is also usually recommended as an alternative to pharmaceuticals and other medications as it is a natural substance and produces fewer side effects. Although these are all valid points, this leads many people to underestimate the effect that turmeric has on your body. Research has shown that turmeric can actually cause some serious side effects if taken in high doses or used in combination with other drugs.
What is Turmeric?
When people refer to “turmeric” they are usually referring to the ground-up root of the turmeric plant. The use of turmeric dates back to India almost four thousand years ago, where it was used as a culinary spice and also in medicinal and ceremonial situations. Although many of it’s claimed benefits go without scientific backing, turmeric has still been proven in many studies to provide a wide variety of health benefits.
Most of turmeric’s health benefits come from the active ingredient found inside it called curcumin. Throughout the extensive studies conducted on curcumin, researchers found that curcumin exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic and anti-thrombotic (reduces blood clots) effects.
As a result of all of these beneficial properties, people often use turmeric as an alternative to, or in combination with, other drugs that they use to treat their ailments. They often do this to avoid the complications and side effects that occur when one takes high doses of pharmaceutical drugs. However, the same properties that make turmeric so beneficial also make it dangerous to take in combination with other drugs, as it can produce a number of unpleasant and harmful side effects.
Turmeric Side Effects
Many of the components that make turmeric so beneficial are the same ones that make it harmful to take in combination with certain medicines. For example, turmeric’s anti-thrombotic property, the property that makes it able to reduce blood clots, makes it dangerous to take in combination with blood thinning medication. Taking turmeric in combination with these types of medication can strengthen their effects and increase your risk of bleeding. Blood thinning medications include: warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and aspirin.
Turmeric also interferes with drugs that reduce stomach acid. If taken in combination with these drugs, it will actually increase your body’s production of stomach acid. This can cause nausea, bloating and stomach pain and can also damage your esophagus. Drugs that reduce stomach acid include: Cimetidine (Tagamet), Famotidine (Pepcid), Ranitidine (Zantac) and Omeprazole.
Turmeric is possibly dangerous if taken in combination with drugs for diabetes (that lower blood sugar). Turmeric strengthens the effects of these drugs, increasing one’s risk of developing low blood sugar. This can lead to a variety of side effects including shakiness, anxiety, blurred vision, delirium and overall reduced cognitive function.
Turmeric may also cause allergic reactions in some people, including outbreaks such as hives or rashes, or even shortness of breath and anaphylaxis. If you are taking any drugs or medications, or are experiencing allergic symptoms when taking turmeric, it is advised to either reduce the amount of turmeric you are taking or find a different, natural alternative.
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