A woman in the US was hospitalised due to severe liver damage, after she started taking turmeric supplements regularly, once again highlighting the dangers of unverified health advice. The case quickly made headlines and sent ripples through the fitness and health communities across the US, particularly those who are consumers of herbal drinks and products.

According to reports by NBC, Katie Mohan, a 57-year-old New Jersey resident, began taking turmeric supplements daily in March after being influenced by an Instagram doctor touting the anti-inflammatory and joint pain relief benefits of the spice. She soon started experiencing troubling symptoms—stomach pain, nausea, fatigue, and darker urine despite ample water intake. At first, she did not connect these symptoms to the supplements she was consuming. However, after watching an NBC News report in May about rising liver injuries linked to herbal supplements, Mohan began to doubt whether this was the case with her too.

Mohan’s blood work revealed liver enzyme levels approximately 60 to 70 times above normal, a dangerous sign indicating severe liver damage. Experts at New York’s NYU Langone hospital warned that she was on the brink of full liver failure, which might have required a transplant if left untreated. The culprit was identified as a high dose of turmeric supplements—specifically pills containing 2,250 milligrams daily—far exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended intake of roughly 200 milligrams per day for someone of her weight. The pills she took also contained black pepper extract, which increases the spice’s absorption but simultaneously places additional stress on the liver.

This case is symptomatic of a wider trend: supplement-induced liver injuries in the United States have surged, with herbal products like turmeric being among the most frequent culprits. According to studies, there’s been an eightfold increase in supplement-related liver failure cases requiring transplantation over the past few decades. The adulteration and unregulated nature of dietary supplements exacerbate this problem, highlighting the risks of self-medication without medical supervision.

In India too, a simple scroll through Indian social media and one will find countless videos promoting various turmeric-based concoctions and kadhas. From turmeric lattes to powdered supplements, for Indians the spice has become a go-to remedy for ailments ranging from a simple cold to claims of even curing cancer. These widespread claims have been repeatedly debunked and fact-checked by experts, including previously on First Check.

An additional challenge in the country complicates safe turmeric consumption: contamination. Turmeric in India might often be adulterated with harmful substances like lead chromate to enhance its bright yellow color, posing serious health hazards including lead poisoning.

A highly experienced Indian Neurologist, practicing at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM, referred to this case on his X Handle stressing that “Small amounts of turmeric, as used in cooking, is generally safe, however, daily use of high dose turmeric pills can cause liver damage in some. Bioavailability enhancers like piperine (black pepper) may increase curcumin absorption by 2,000%. This may raise plasma levels to hepatotoxic levels in susceptible people.”

He urges the public to rely on the yellow spice for culinary reasons, rather than a cure-all saying, “turmeric (taken as part of diet) has several health-related benefits (evidence is not strong though), including its anti-inflammatory & anti-oxidant effects, beneficial effects on bone, brain, heart and joints.”

He ends his tweet with the statement – “Take home message. Avoid daily use of high dose turmeric pills”