Each Vcap contains: Turmeric root 16:1 extract (equivalent to 4000 mg whole root), providing 50% Curcumin. Other Ingredient: Capsule (vegetable cellulose).
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Below is general information about the effectiveness of the known ingredients contained in the product Essential Turmeric. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
Below is general information about the safety of the known ingredients contained in the product Essential Turmeric. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately, short-term. Turmeric products providing up to 8 grams of curcumin have been safely used for up to 2 months (10453,11144,11150,17953,79085,89720,89721,89724,89728,101347)(81036,101349,107110,107116,107117,107118,107121,109278,109283). Turmeric in doses up to 3 grams daily has been used with apparent safety for up to 3 months (102350,104146,104148). ...when used topically and appropriately (11148).
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used as an enema, short-term. Turmeric extract in water has been used as a daily enema for up to 8 weeks (89729). ...when used topically as a mouthwash, short-term. A mouthwash containing 0.05% turmeric extract and 0.05% eugenol has been used safely twice daily for up to 21 days (89723).
PREGNANCY: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally in amounts commonly found in food.
PREGNANCY: LIKELY UNSAFE
when used orally in medicinal amounts; turmeric might stimulate the uterus and increase menstrual flow (12).
LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally in amounts commonly found in food.
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of using turmeric in medicinal amounts during lactation.
Below is general information about the interactions of the known ingredients contained in the product Essential Turmeric. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
Turmeric has antioxidant effects. Theoretically, this may reduce the activity of chemotherapy drugs that generate free radicals. However, research is conflicting.
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In vitro research suggests that curcumin, a constituent of turmeric, inhibits mechlorethamine-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells by up to 70%. Also, animal research shows that curcumin inhibits cyclophosphamide-induced tumor regression (96126). However, some in vitro research shows that curcumin does not affect the apoptosis capacity of etoposide. Also, other laboratory research suggests that curcumin might augment the cytotoxic effects of alkylating agents. Reasons for the discrepancies may relate to the dose of curcumin and the specific chemotherapeutic agent. Lower doses of curcumin might have antioxidant effects while higher doses might have pro-oxidant effects (96125). More evidence is needed to determine what effect, if any, turmeric might have on alkylating agents.
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Taking turmeric with amlodipine may increase levels of amlodipine.
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Animal research shows that giving amlodipine 1 mg/kg as a single dose following the use of turmeric extract 200 mg/kg daily for 2 weeks increases the maximum concentration and area under the curve by 53% and 56%, respectively, when compared with amlodipine alone (107113). Additional animal research shows that taking amlodipine 1 mg/kg with a curcumin 2 mg/kg pretreatment for 10 days increases the maximum concentration and area under the curve by about 2-fold when compared with amlodipine alone (103099).
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Turmeric may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. However, research is conflicting.
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Curcumin, a constituent of turmeric, has demonstrated antiplatelet effects in vitro (11143,81204,81271). Furthermore, two case reports have found that taking turmeric along with warfarin or fluindione was associated with an increased international normalized ratio (INR) (89718,100906). However, one clinical study in healthy volunteers shows that taking curcumin 500 mg daily for 3 weeks, alone or with aspirin 100 mg, does not increase antiplatelet effects or bleeding risk (96137). It is possible that the dose of turmeric used in this study was too low to produce a notable effect.
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Theoretically, taking turmeric with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
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Animal research and case reports suggest that curcumin, a turmeric constituent, can reduce blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes (79692,79984,80155,80313,80315,80476,80553,81048,81219). Furthermore, clinical research in adults with type 2 diabetes shows that taking curcumin 475 mg daily for 10 days prior to taking glyburide 5 mg decreased postprandial glucose levels for up to 24 hours when compared with glyburide alone, despite the lack of a significant pharmacokinetic interaction (96133). Another clinical study in patients with diabetes on hemodialysis shows that taking curcumin 80 mg daily for 12 weeks can reduce blood glucose levels when compared with placebo (104149).
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Turmeric has antioxidant effects. Theoretically, this may reduce the activity of chemotherapy drugs that generate free radicals. However, research is conflicting.
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In vitro and animal research shows that curcumin, a constituent of turmeric, inhibits doxorubicin-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells by up to 65% (96126). However, curcumin does not seem to affect the apoptosis capacity of daunorubicin. In fact, some research shows that curcumin might augment the cytotoxic effects of antitumor antibiotics, increasing their effectiveness. Reasons for the discrepancies may relate to the dose of curcumin and the chemotherapeutic agent. Lower doses of curcumin might have antioxidant effects while higher doses might have pro-oxidant effects (96125). More evidence is needed to determine what effects, if any, antioxidants such as turmeric have on antitumor antibiotics.
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Theoretically, turmeric might increase or decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A1. However, research is conflicting.
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Theoretically, turmeric might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2. However, research is conflicting.
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Theoretically, turmeric might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
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In vitro and animal research show that turmeric and its constituent curcumin inhibit CYP3A4 (21497,21498,21499). In one case report, a transplant patient presented with acute nephrotoxicity and elevated tacrolimus levels of 29 ng/mL. The patient previously had tacrolimus levels within the therapeutic range at 9.7 ng/mL. Ten days prior to presenting to the emergency room the patient started consumption of turmeric powder at a dose of 15 or more spoonfuls daily. It was thought that turmeric increased levels of tacrolimus due to CYP3A4 inhibition (93544).
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Theoretically, turmeric might increase blood levels of oral docetaxel.
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Animal research suggests that the turmeric constituent, curcumin, enhances the oral bioavailability of docetaxel (80999). However, the significance of this interaction is unclear, as this drug is typically administered intravenously in clinical settings.
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Theoretically, large amounts of turmeric might interfere with hormone replacement therapy through competition for estrogen receptors.
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In vitro research shows that curcumin, a constituent of turmeric, displaces the binding of estrogen to its receptors (21486).
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Theoretically, taking turmeric and glyburide in combination might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
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Clinical research shows that taking curcumin 475 mg daily for 10 days prior to taking glyburide 5 mg increases blood levels of glyburide by 12% at 2 hours after the dose in patients with type 2 diabetes. While maximal blood concentrations of glyburide were not affected, turmeric modestly decreased postprandial glucose levels for up to 24 hours when compared to glyburide alone, possibly due to the hypoglycemic effect of turmeric demonstrated in animal research (96133).
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Theoretically, turmeric might increase the risk of liver damage when taken with hepatotoxic drugs.
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Theoretically, turmeric might increase the effects of losartan.
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Research in hypertensive rats shows that taking turmeric can increase the hypotensive effects of losartan (110897).
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Theoretically, turmeric might increase the effects and adverse effects of norfloxacin.
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Animal research shows that taking curcumin, a turmeric constituent, can increase blood levels of orally administered norfloxacin (80863).
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Theoretically, turmeric might increase the absorption of P-glycoprotein substrates.
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Theoretically, turmeric might alter blood levels of paclitaxel, although any effect may not be clinically relevant.
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Clinical research in adults with breast cancer receiving intravenous paclitaxel suggests that taking turmeric may modestly alter paclitaxel pharmacokinetics. Patients received paclitaxel on day 1, followed by either no treatment or turmeric 2 grams daily from days 2-22. Pharmacokinetic modeling suggests that turmeric reduces the maximum concentration and area under the curve of paclitaxel by 12.1% and 7.7%, respectively. However, these changes are not likely to be considered clinically relevant (108876). Conversely, animal research suggests that curcumin, a constituent of turmeric, enhances the oral bioavailability of paclitaxel (22005). However, the significance of this interaction is unclear, as this drug is typically administered intravenously in clinical settings.
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Turmeric might increase the effects and adverse effects of sulfasalazine.
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Clinical research shows that taking the turmeric constituent, curcumin, can increase blood levels of sulfasalazine by 3.2-fold (81131).
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Turmeric might increase the effects and adverse effects of tacrolimus.
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In one case report, a transplant patient presented with acute nephrotoxicity and elevated tacrolimus levels of 29 ng/mL. The patient previously had tacrolimus levels within the therapeutic range at 9.7 ng/mL. Ten days prior to presenting at the emergency room the patient started consumption of turmeric powder at a dose of 15 or more spoonfuls daily. It was thought that turmeric increased levels of tacrolimus due to cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibition (93544). In vitro and animal research show that turmeric and its constituent curcumin inhibit CYP3A4 (21497,21498,21499).
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Turmeric may reduce the absorption of talinolol in some situations.
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Clinical research shows that taking curcumin for 6 days decreases the bioavailability of talinolol when taken together on the seventh day (80079). The clinical significance of this effect is unclear.
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Theoretically, turmeric might reduce the levels and clinical effects of tamoxifen.
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In a small clinical trial in patients with breast cancer taking tamoxifen 20-30 mg daily, adding curcumin 1200 mg plus piperine 10 mg three times daily reduces the 24-hour area under the curve of tamoxifen and the active metabolite endoxifen by 12.8% and 12.4%, respectively, as well as the maximum concentrations of tamoxifen, when compared with tamoxifen alone. However, in the absence of piperine, the area under the curve for endoxifen and the maximum concentration of tamoxifen were not significantly reduced. Effects were most pronounced in patients who were extensive cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 metabolizers (107123).
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Turmeric has antioxidant effects. There is some concern that this may reduce the activity of chemotherapy drugs that generate free radicals. However, research is conflicting.
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In vitro research shows that curcumin, a constituent of turmeric, inhibits camptothecin-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells by up to 71% (96126). However, other in vitro research shows that curcumin augments the cytotoxic effects of camptothecin. Reasons for the discrepancies may relate to the dose of curcumin and the chemotherapeutic agents. Lower doses of curcumin might have antioxidant effects while higher doses might have pro-oxidant effects (96125). More evidence is needed to determine what effect, if any, turmeric might have.
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Turmeric might increase the risk of bleeding with warfarin.
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One case of increased international normalized ratio (INR) has been reported for a patient taking warfarin who began taking turmeric. Prior to taking turmeric, the patient had stable INR measurements. Within a few weeks of starting turmeric supplementation, the patient's INR increased to 10 (100906). Additionally, curcumin, the active constituent in turmeric, has demonstrated antiplatelet effects in vitro (11143,81204,81271), which may produce additive effects when taken with warfarin.
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Below is general information about the adverse effects of the known ingredients contained in the product Essential Turmeric. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
General
...Orally and topically, turmeric is generally well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Constipation, dyspepsia, diarrhea, distension, gastroesophageal reflux, nausea, and vomiting.
Topically: Curcumin, a constituent of turmeric, can cause contact urticaria and pruritus.
Cardiovascular ...Orally, a higher dose of turmeric in combination with other ingredients has been linked to atrioventricular heart block in one case report. It is unclear if turmeric caused this adverse event or if other ingredients or a contaminant were the cause. The patient had taken a combination supplement containing turmeric 1500-2250 mg, black soybean 600-900 mg, mulberry leaves, garlic, and arrowroot each about 300-450 mg, twice daily for one month before experiencing atrioventricular heart block. Heart rhythm normalized three days after discontinuation of the product. Re-administration of the product resulted in the same adverse effect (17720).
Dermatologic ...Following occupational and/or topical exposure, turmeric or its constituents curcumin, tetrahydrocurcumin, or turmeric oil, can cause allergic contact dermatitis (11146,79270,79470,79934,81410,81195). Topically, curcumin can also cause rash or contact urticaria (79985,97432,112117). In one case, a 60-year-old female, with no prior reactivity to regular oral consumption of turmeric products, developed urticaria after topical application of turmeric massage oil (97432). A case of pruritus has been reported following topical application of curcumin ointment to the scalp for the treatment of melanoma (11148). Orally, curcumin may cause pruritus, but this appears to be relatively uncommon (81163,97427,104148). Pitting edema may also occur following oral intake of turmeric extract, but the frequency of this adverse event is less common with turmeric than with ibuprofen (89720). A combination of curcumin plus fluoxetine may cause photosensitivity (89728).
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, turmeric can cause gastrointestinal adverse effects (107110,107112,112118), including constipation (81149,81163,96135), flatulence and yellow, hard stools (81106,96135), nausea and vomiting (10453,17952,89720,89728,96127,96131,96135,97430,112117,112118), diarrhea or loose stool (10453,17952,18204,89720,96135,110223,112117,112118), dyspepsia (17952,89720,89721,96161,112118), gastritis (89728), distension and gastroesophageal reflux disease (18204,89720), abdominal fullness and pain (81036,89720,96161,97430), epigastric burning (81444), and tongue staining (89723).
Hepatic
...Orally, turmeric has been associated with liver damage, including non-infectious hepatitis, cholestasis, and hepatocellular liver injury.
There have been at least 70 reports of liver damage associated with taking turmeric supplements for at least 2 weeks and for up to 14 months. Most cases of liver damage resolved upon discontinuation of the turmeric supplement. Sometimes, turmeric was used concomitantly with other supplements and medications (99304,102346,103094,103631,103633,103634,107122,109288,110221). The Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN) has identified 10 cases of liver injury which were considered to be either definitely, highly likely, or probably associated with turmeric; none of these cases were associated with the use of turmeric in combination with other potentially hepatotoxic supplements. Most patients (90%) presented with hepatocellular pattern of liver injury. The median age of these case reports was 56 years and 90% identified as White. In these case reports, the carrier frequency on HLAB*35:01 was 70%, which is higher than the carrier frequency found in the general population. Of the ten patients, 5 were hospitalized and 1 died from liver injury (109288).
It is not clear if concomitant use with other supplements or medications contributes to the risk for liver damage. Many case reports did not report turmeric formulation, dosing, or duration of use (99304,103094,103631,103634,109288). However, at least 10 cases involved high doses of curcumin (250-1812.5 mg daily) and the use of highly bioavailable formulations such as phytosomal curcumin and formulations containing piperine (102346,103633,107122,109288,110221).
Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, the turmeric constituent curcumin can cause vertigo, but this effect seems to be uncommon (81163).
Psychiatric ...Orally, the turmeric constituent curcumin or a combination of curcumin and fluoxetine can cause giddiness, although this event seems to be uncommon (81206,89728).
Other ...There is a single case report of death associated with intravenous use of turmeric. However, analysis of the treatment vial suggests that the vial contained only 0.023% of the amount of curcumin listed on the label. Also, the vial had been diluted in a solution of ungraded polyethylene glycol (PEG) 40 castor oil that was contaminated with 1.25% diethylene glycol. Therefore the cause of death is unknown but is unlikely to be related to the turmeric (96136).
