Katie Mohan, a New Jersey resident, recently realized that her health struggles might be linked to the turmeric supplements she had been taking since March. The 34-year-old began consuming 2,250 mg of turmeric daily after her doctor promoted its anti-inflammatory properties on Instagram, claiming it could relieve joint pain.
Within a few weeks of daily consumption, Mohan started feeling extreme abdominal pain, nausea and fatigue. These symptoms progressed to the extent that she needed to go to the hospital. She was first brought to an adult care center nearby. Subsequently, she was flown to NYU Langone in New York City where she underwent treatment with IV medication for a period of six days.
Mohan’s blood tests revealed alarming results: her liver enzyme levels were approximately 60 times the normal limit. Nevertheless, after treatment, her liver was able to regenerate.
That’s how Mohan came to connect the dots between her symptoms and the turmeric supplements. This awakening came to him as he was watching an NBC News story about the very real dangers posed by these products.
“A light bulb went off in my head and I said, Oh, my gosh! I wonder if this is what’s wrong with me,” – Katie Mohan
Dr. Dina Halegoua-De Marzio, a physician who treated Mohan, emphasized the importance of understanding the risks associated with natural supplements. She remarked, “Natural does not mean safe.” Turmeric is another hot holistic remedy for inflammation and osteoarthritis. Taking it in high doses poses a real health danger. Some turmeric supplements have over 2,000 mg per serving – doses that many health experts agree is too much.
Research indicates that turmeric is among the most frequently cited herbal ingredients linked to toxic hepatitis in the United States. A recent look back published in the journal Hepatology found a truly disturbing statistic. Of all liver toxicity cases, it identified that 20% are related to herbal and dietary supplements. There are no official guidelines in the U.S. for what constitutes a safe level of turmeric to consume.
Virginia Mohan’s story should be a lesson for anyone thinking about using herbal supplements. Though frequently touted as natural substitutes for pharmaceutical treatment, their health impacts are anything but benign and sometimes cause drastic outcomes.
Dr. Halegoua-De Marzio noted, “When you cook with turmeric, that could be really safe. Some of the supplements now are 2,000 mg-plus, which is a very high dose of turmeric.” This further highlights the imperative for consumers to approach herbal supplements with a critical eye and possibly an awareness of their side effects.
