Why Your Turmeric Supplement Isn’t Working | The Turmeric Co. (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take for turmeric supplements to work? ›

It may take a month or two for you to notice any effects from taking turmeric supplements. In addition to taking turmeric in pill or capsule form, you can also use turmeric in cooking or apply it as a paste.

Fatty foods, such as eggs and vegetable oils (like coconut oil or olive oil), are the best to combine with turmeric. This is because they contain a compound called lecithin. Lecithin helps the body absorb turmeric. Another ingredient that helps the body absorb turmeric is black pepper.

Be aware that the biggest problem with turmeric is making sure that its compounds are absorbed from the gut. You will absorb little if turmeric is taken without fats or oils. For this reason, it's best to take turmeric and curcumin with a meal containing fats or oils (typically 15 grams or more).

Unfortunately, turmeric doesn't offer a quick fix, so you'll need to take it daily to notice results. If you were wondering how long it takes turmeric to work, this can vary from person to person. However, you should usually expect to start noticing improvements in around 4-8 weeks when taken daily.

In other words, it doesn't matter what time of day turmeric is taken. Although the trial revealed no measurable difference in the time turmeric was taken, mealtimes are sometimes better for curcumin absorption. According to Dr. Khoshaba, turmeric can be consumed at any time of the day.

It helps to consume it with black pepper, which contains piperine. Piperine is a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2,000% . In fact, the best curcumin supplements contain piperine, and this makes them substantially more effective.

So, in order to get the anti-inflammatory effect, one needs to get 500 to 1,000 milligrams of curcumin per day. One fresh teaspoon of ground turmeric has around 200 milligrams of curcumin. The quantity varies a bit depending on the origin and source.

Cooking turmeric for just a few minutes does not reduce its nutritional value, but boiling turmeric over high heat or pressure cooking it reduces the effectiveness of Curcumin.

Turmeric can make it harder for your body to absorb iron. Tell your doctor if you are taking an iron supplement. Avoid using turmeric together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting.

What organ does turmeric affect? ›

Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with TURMERIC. Turmeric might harm the liver. Some medications can also harm the liver. Taking turmeric along with a medication that can harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage.

Yes, yes, indeed! Turmeric and vitamin D are safe to take together and may even have synergistic effects. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. It's important to choose high-quality supplements that are free from contaminants.

Dairy products, such as yoghurt or cream, can mellow out the intense flavour of turmeric. If you've added too much turmeric to a sauce or curry, consider incorporating yoghurt or cream to tone down the spice.

So, by eating the turmeric with good fats, like avocado, olive oil or coconut oil, you're more likely to absorb more of it into your bloodstream. This is also why turmeric is commonly mixed with warm milk—any kind of milk including coconut, cow, almond.

The best turmeric supplements combine curcumin and black pepper. Adding black pepper can increase absorption of curcumin by 2,000%! The liver actively tries to get rid of the curcumin. By adding even just a pinch of pepper, this helps to suppress this process, allowing curcumin levels in the bloodstream to rise.

Taking turmeric by mouth seems to reduce hay fever symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion. Indigestion (dyspepsia). Taking turmeric may improve indigestion in some patients. Taking curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric, by mouth may work as well as another drug, called omeprazole.

High doses of turmeric and curcumin are not recommended long-term since research confirming their safety is lacking. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has determined 1.4 mg per pound (0–3 mg per kilogram) of body weight an acceptable daily intake ( 14 ).

Similarly, a review of 9 studies showed that taking 1–3 grams of ginger per day for 6–12 weeks decreased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory marker ( 7 ).

Studies have shown that turmeric can reduce dark spots on the skin, also known as hyperpigmentation. In fact, one study showed a 14% reduction in hyperpigmentation after 4 weeks of using a turmeric extract cream.