Turmeric has long been known as a "golden" spice in cuisine and health care thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, digestion support and improving overall health. However, before including turmeric in their diet or using supplements, users need to pay attention to some important points.
Use turmeric properly for optimal absorption
Curcumin in turmeric is good for fat soluble, says Dr. Sohaib Imtiaz, a medical expert. Therefore, turmeric should be eaten with meals containing fat for the body to absorb more effectively". Turmeric can be taken in the morning, dinner or divided into doses throughout the day, but avoid it before going to bed because it can cause digestive discomfort.
Turmeric can interact with some medications. For example, aspirin and turmeric both have anti- thrombocytopenic effect, and combining them can increase the risk of bleeding. Turmeric also affects insulin and some blood pressure medications such as losartan, which can change drug levels in the body.
In addition, turmeric can cause nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or affect the gallbladder, especially for people with gallstones. People with aspirin allergies should also be cautious because curcumin contains salicylat.
Turmeric is not soluble with some foods and is not suitable for everyone
Turmeric can hinder the absorption of iron from eggs, red meat, green leafy vegetables, fish and whole grains. Pregnant women, mothers, or those who are taking blood thinners, antacids, or diabetes medications should consult a doctor before taking turmeric supplements. In addition, some turmeric products are at risk of contamination with heavy metals such as asen, lead, nickel, which are risky for children, pregnant women and liver and kidney patients.
According to experts, turmeric is still a safe food when used in regular amounts in cooking. However, supplementation in the form of tablets or thick powder needs to be carefully considered to both promote the benefits and avoid health risks.
