How much curcumin should I take? Studies suggest that an effective dose of curcumin is typically between 500-2,000 mg per day. This is generally consumed as a curcumin extract which contains a much higher concentration than is generally found in turmeric root powder, or that naturally occurs in foods.
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 ).
The Arthritis Foundation suggests taking turmeric capsules (400 to 600 mg) 3 times per day. Another option is to take a half to three grams of the root powder every day. Further studies revealed one gram of curcumin per day helped arthritis patients.
Turmeric — and especially its most active compound, curcumin — have many scientifically proven health benefits, such as the potential to improve heart health and prevent against Alzheimer's and cancer. It's a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It may also help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis.
The Allowable Daily Intake (ADI) value of curcumin has been determined by the European Food Safety Authority to be 0-3 mg per kilogram of body weight, or roughly 0-1.4 mg per pound.
Turmeric is generally safe, but consuming it in high doses or over long periods of time may upset your stomach. A small, past study of 24 people found that taking 500 to 12,000 mg of curcumin was associated with various mild side effects in only 7 out of the 24 participants.
There is no official consensus on whether it's best to take curcumin or turmeric supplements. Most studies use extracted turmeric with a high concentration of curcumin or curcumin alone. Both turmeric and curcumin can reduce joint inflammation, cholesterol, blood sugar, as well as tumor, fungal and bacterial growth.
Avoid using turmeric together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting. This includes angelica (dong quai), capsicum, clove, dandelion, danshen, evening primrose, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, saw palmetto, and willow.
Doses of 450 mg or higher may cause headache and nausea in a small number of people ( 12 , 30 ). Skin rash. People have reported a skin rash after taking a dose of 8,000 mg of curcumin or more, but this seems to be very rare ( 31 ).
People who are on blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), and aspirin are typically advised against taking a curcumin or turmeric supplement, because the supplements can enhance the drugs' blood-thinning effects, perhaps to dangerous levels.
When can you expect to see results? In one study, participants reported improvements in joint discomfort after supplementing with 2 grams of turmeric daily for 6 weeks. Another study reported results after 8-12 weeks of supplementation with 1 gram of turmeric daily.
Turmeric in food is considered safe. However, taking large amounts of turmeric and curcumin in supplement form for long periods of time may cause stomach upset and, in extreme cases, ulcers. People who have gallstones or obstruction of the bile passages should talk to their doctor before taking turmeric.
Most people find success taking turmeric either in the morning to start their day, or at night before bed to combat inflammation from the day's activities. We also recommend that you take turmeric with a meal since curcumin absorption increases when paired with healthy fats.
Dr. Weil recommends taking 400 to 600 milligrams of turmeric extracts (available in tablets or capsules) three times per day or as directed on the product label. Juli Johnson agrees. “3000 milligrams a day is a great dose. Most studies recommend between 2000 and 6000 milligrams a day,” she says.
“It's safe to take up to 8 grams per day, but my recommendation would be somewhere on the lighter side: 500 to 1,000 milligrams a day for the general population,” says Hopsecger. For optimal absorption, try taking with heart-healthy fats like oils, avocado, nuts and seeds, she adds.
It can cause nausea and diarrhea, especially in high doses or after long-term use. It might also pose a risk of ulcers in high doses. As a topical treatment, it can cause skin irritation. Caution is advised when turmeric is taken by people known to have gallstones; consult your health care provider first.
Curcumin and Inflammation
Taking turmeric before bed can lower the levels of inflammatory markers in your body so that you can get a better night's sleep. The anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric will also benefit you in a multitude of other ways.
So, how long does it take turmeric to work? Depending on your body mass and condition, it will usually take around 4-8 weeks for you to start noticing improvements to your body and mind.
"Since vitamin D and curcumin work differently with the immune system, we may find that a combination of the two or each used alone may be more effective — depending on the individual patient," he said.
Magnesium is ideal when you're stressed or anxious or have trouble sleeping or when your muscles are tight and tense. Turmeric can help to support joint health, comfort and mobility so you can keep doing the things you enjoy. Together these two powerful ingredients help support both muscles and joints.
The significant anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin has attracted a lot of researchers' interests and is considered to be one of the natural compounds with the greatest potential in the treatment of diseases.
In fact, there is not enough reliable evidence in humans to recommend turmeric or curcumin for any condition, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Turmeric became a nutritional golden child partly because of its promise in laboratory studies — cellular and animal.
Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential treatment for a number of health conditions, including reduced pain and increased ease of movement in people with osteoarthritis.
About 500 milligrams of curcuminoids a day is a good wellness dose for keeping inflammation away and promoting gut health, Scalzo says—but if you're experiencing chronic pain, you should consult with your doctor.
According to a study published in the Nutrition Journal, it is thought that turmeric has a half-life (the time it takes the body to eliminate half of a drug) of 6-7 hours.