Warning issued on excessive turmeric consumption: One patient required liver transplant at Kaunas Clinics

Doctors at Kaunas Clinics are issuing a stark warning about the dangers of consuming high doses of turmeric, a popular dietary supplement. In the last month alone, four patients have been admitted to the clinic suffering from liver failure, directly linked to their intake of turmeric-based supplements.

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Turmeric, through certain bodily mechanisms, affects liver cells and can cause liver failure. The liver simply cannot metabolize a large amount of turmeric. Then liver failure develops. This is a life-threatening condition when the liver can no longer perform its functions, clean the blood, and produce important substances.

Dr. S. Stankevičiūtė explained that a typical supplement capsule contains 500 milligrams of turmeric powder. However, patients have been found to be consuming doses three to five times higher than recommended. This excessive intake overwhelms the liver's metabolic capacity, leading to liver failure, a life-threatening condition where the liver can no longer perform its essential functions.

"Turmeric, through certain bodily mechanisms, affects liver cells and can cause liver failure," Dr. Stankevičiūtė stated. "The liver simply cannot metabolize a large amount of turmeric. Then liver failure develops. This is a life-threatening condition when the liver can no longer perform its functions, clean the blood, and produce important substances."

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It happens that people increase the daily dose five times. Generally speaking, turmeric affects liver cells through certain bodily mechanisms and can cause liver failure.

She further cautioned that the risk can be amplified by the concurrent use of other supplements or medications. Some preparations can enhance turmeric's effects, potentially causing harm even from a single capsule. The perception of "natural" supplements as entirely safe is a dangerous misconception, as high doses of even natural products can be detrimental.

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It is also very important what other supplements or medications a person takes concurrently. Some preparations can enhance the effect of turmeric, then even one capsule will cause harm.