Is Turmeric terrible for your kidneys? This question has been asked several times over the past few weeks. I don't know if it's coming from TikTok or some other social media outlet, but here is what I can tell you from the scientific literature.
Firstly, let's understand what Turmeric is. It is a spice derived from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, a member of the ginger family. Some holistic practitioners claim ginger is a better choice than Turmeric, but that is for another discussion. Curcumin, a yellow-coloured phenolic pigment, is obtained from the rhizome of Curcuma longa Linn, found in turmeric (Family – Zingiberaceae) (Sharifi-Rad et al., 2020).
Curcumin has been extensively studied for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has been shown to potentially benefit conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, and even cancer, offering a ray of hope for those concerned about their health (Kou et al., 2023) (LoTempio et al., 2005) (Kunnumakkara et al., 2009).
But what about its effect on the kidneys? There isn't any conclusive evidence indicating that Turmeric negatively affects the kidneys. Particular studies on animals have suggested that curcumin, a component of Turmeric, has a beneficial impact on kidney health (Ghosh et al., 2014). Turmeric is known for its potential health benefits, but it's essential to approach its use cautiously. Like any other supplement or medication, it is crucial to use Turmeric in moderation and seek guidance from a healthcare professional before adding it to your daily regimen. This step helps ensure you make informed decisions about your health and well-being. Some initial research has raised concerns about the potential of Turmeric to contribute to the formation of kidney stones, especially in individuals with a history of kidney stones or kidney disease. However, it's important to note that these findings are based on animal studies, and further research is required to establish whether the same effect occurs in humans. If you have a history of kidney stones or are concerned about developing them, it's essential to inform your healthcare provider. You may explore alternative natural remedies and dietary changes to help prevent the formation of kidney stones. Another concern is the interaction between Turmeric and certain medications used to treat kidney disease.
Please remember the following points about using turmeric and curcumin with medication:
Combining curcumin and Piperine, the bioactive compound of black pepper, with certain medications can pose potential risks to your health. Turmeric can strengthen the effects of certain drugs and increase the risk of bleeding, especially for blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and aspirin (Zayed et al., 2020).
While whole-root turmeric has high bioavailability, it's important to note that curcumin requires another ingredient to enhance the body's absorption of it. Due to curcumin's poor bioavailability, some supplement brands often recommend black pepper (Lopresti, 2018). Taking black pepper along with medications that also slow blood clotting might further increase the risk of bruising and bleeding (Son et al., 2014). Therefore, it's essential to be mindful of these potential interactions and consult a healthcare professional before combining these substances with any medications.
Furthermore, turmeric may also impact the absorption of some medications used to treat kidney disease. Therefore, it is crucial to consult with a doctor before taking turmeric if you are on any medication for kidney disease.
Lastly, it is essential to consider the quality and purity of the turmeric you are consuming. Some turmeric supplements may contain additives or contaminants that can harm the kidneys. Research the source and brand of the turmeric you are purchasing and opt for high-quality, organic options whenever possible to ensure you make safe and informed health choices.
Turmeric has many potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (Hewlings & Kalman, 2017). However, its effect on kidney health is still unclear, and more research is needed. It is crucial to use turmeric in moderation, consult a healthcare professional before taking it, and choose high-quality sources to minimize potential risks. Turmeric can be valuable to a healthy lifestyle with proper caution and moderation.
Dr. Michael Newman, DNM., Ph.D., HHP., FAIS
Holistic Doctor & Researcher
References
Ghosh, S., Gehr, T., & Ghosh, S. (2014). Curcumin and chronic kidney disease (ckd): Major mode of action through stimulating endogenous intestinal alkaline phosphatase. Molecules, 19(12), 20139–20156. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules191220139
Hewlings, S., & Kalman, D. (2017). Curcumin: A review of its effects on human health. Foods, 6(10), 92. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods6100092
Kou, H., Huang, L., Jin, M., He, Q., Zhang, R., & Ma, J. (2023). Effect of curcumin on rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Immunology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1121655
Kunnumakkara, A. B., Diagaradjane, P., Anand, P., Kuzhuvelil, H. B., Deorukhkar, A., Gelovani, J., Guha, S., Krishnan, S., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2009). Curcumin sensitizes human colorectal cancer to capecitabine by modulation of cyclin d1, cox‐2, mmp‐9, vegf and cxcr4 expression in an orthotopic mouse model. International Journal of Cancer, 125(9), 2187–2197. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.24593
Lopresti, A. L. (2018). The problem of curcumin and its bioavailability: Could its gastrointestinal influence contribute to its overall health-enhancing effects? Advances in Nutrition, 9(1), 41–50. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmx011
LoTempio, M. M., Veena, M. S., Steele, H. L., Ramamurthy, B., Ramalingam, T. S., Cohen, A. N., Chakrabarti, R., Srivatsan, E. S., & Wang, M. B. (2005). Curcumin suppresses growth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Clinical Cancer Research, 11(19), 6994–7002. https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-0301
Sharifi-Rad, J., Rayess, Y., Rizk, A., Sadaka, C., Zgheib, R., Zam, W., Sestito, S., Rapposelli, S., Neffe-
Skocińska, K., Zielińska, D., Salehi, B., Setzer, W. N., Dosoky, N. S., Taheri, Y., El Beyrouthy, M., Martorell, M., Ostrander, E., Suleria, H., Cho, W. C.,...Martins, N. (2020). Turmeric and its major compound curcumin on health: Bioactive effects and safety profiles for food, pharmaceutical, biotechnological and medicinal applications. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.01021
Son, D., Akiba, S., Hong, J., Yun, Y., Hwang, S., Park, Y., & Lee, S. (2014). Piperine inhibits the activities of platelet cytosolic phospholipase a2 and thromboxane a2 synthase without affecting cyclooxygenase-1 activity: Different mechanisms of action are involved in the inhibition of platelet aggregation and macrophage inflammatory response. Nutrients, 6(8), 3336–3352. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu6083336
Zayed, A., Babaresh, W. M., Darweesh, R. S., El-Elimat, T., & Hawamdeh, S. S. (2020). <p>piperine alters the pharmacokinetics and anticoagulation of warfarin in rats</p>. Journal of Experimental Pharmacology, Volume 12, 169–179. https://doi.org/10.2147/jep.s257919
Comments