Megadoses of Turmeric Lead to Severe Liver Damage: A Cautionary Tale
2025-07-11
A 57-year-old woman spent six days hospitalized due to severe liver damage after taking daily megadoses of turmeric, a popular herbal supplement promoted on social media. She consumed 2250mg daily, significantly exceeding the WHO's recommended dose. Symptoms included stomach pain, nausea, fatigue, and dark urine. Blood tests revealed liver enzyme levels 60 times higher than normal. Doctors intervened, preventing potential liver failure. While turmeric is generally safe in food, increased supplement use and higher doses have led to a rise in liver injuries, making it a leading herbal cause of such damage in the US.