A recent report by NBC News highlights a concerning case involving a 57-year-old woman, Katie Mohan, who experienced severe liver damage after consuming megadoses of turmeric for six days. This herbal supplement, widely promoted on social media, led to significant health complications for Mohan, who took it based on recommendations she encountered on Instagram.
Katie Mohan began her turmeric regimen after seeing a doctor on social media claim it was effective against inflammation and joint pain. She started taking turmeric capsules at a daily dose of 2,250 mg. This dosage is alarmingly high compared to the World Health Organization's recommendation of a maximum of 3 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. For a 150-pound (68 kg) adult, this equates to approximately 204 mg per day, meaning Mohan was consuming more than ten times the suggested amount.
Weeks into her supplement routine, Mohan began to experience troubling symptoms, including stomach pain, nausea, fatigue, and dark urine. "I just did not feel well generally," she recounted. After watching a news segment discussing the potential toxicity of turmeric, she connected her symptoms to the capsules and sought urgent medical care. Blood tests revealed her liver enzyme levels were 60 times above the normal threshold, indicating significant liver damage.
Following her alarming diagnosis, Mohan was initially admitted to a local hospital and subsequently transferred to NYU Langone in New York City for specialized treatment. Her hepatologist, Dr. Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos, stated that she was on the brink of full liver failure, which could have necessitated a liver transplant. Fortunately, after ceasing the use of turmeric supplements, her liver showed signs of recovery.
While turmeric is generally safe when consumed as part of a diet, its concentrated form in supplements can lead to serious health issues. Reports indicate a rising incidence of liver injuries linked to turmeric in the United States, making it the most common herbal cause of such injuries. The acute mechanism by which turmeric affects the liver remains unclear, but the addition of black pepper (piperine) in many supplements significantly enhances the bioavailability of curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric. Studies have shown that adding just 20 mg of piperine can increase curcumin's bioavailability by up to 20 times.
Some research suggests that the rare toxicity associated with turmeric may result from abnormal immune responses to curcumin, leading immune cells to attack the liver. Symptoms of turmeric-induced liver damage often align with those experienced by Mohan—fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, dark urine, and jaundice. Fortunately, most cases resolve upon discontinuation of the supplement, and Mohan's doctor noted that her liver is gradually rebounding. "The liver is a forgiving organ," he remarked.
Despite her recovery, Mohan has made a firm decision: "I’ll never put another supplement in my body again." The case underscores the need for increased awareness regarding the supplement industry, which operates largely unregulated in the United States. Many health benefits attributed to supplements like turmeric are often based on limited or low-quality research, which can mislead consumers. Taking high doses of certain supplements can lead to harmful consequences, as seen in Mohan's case.
As the popularity of herbal supplements continues to grow, it is crucial for consumers to approach them with caution and to consult healthcare professionals before making significant changes to their health routines.
