Turmeric: It can kill youTurmeric is from the root of a flowering plant (Curcuma longa of the ginger family Zingiberaceae), known for being anti-inflammatory. Because of its anti-inflammatory nature, turmeric is one of the most common supplements I am asked about during my TikTok live sessions. This is because people like a "natural" anti-inflammatory supplement rather than over-the-counter medications.SupplementsSupplements are excluded from "black box warnings." Those warnings you see in the package inserts in pharmaceuticals.  This article is meant to provide references for those interested in doing more research about Tumeric to realize it is not benign.Turmeric has many potential applications for cancer, brain injury, and many other diseases. The key is knowing what dose of turmeric is toxic, what dose is effective, and what dose is ineffective. We also need to know how to mitigate potential dangers.Contrast with AspirinAspirin is a known anti-inflammatory agent with many uses. Since aspirin is regulated, we know the dose effect of aspirin. If you have a headache, the 81 mg dose of aspirin will not relieve your headache. But the 325 mg dose will decrease headache. And you know that taking two hundred tablets of aspirin is a toxic dose.A single aspirin can cause a bleeding ulcer, which may lead to death. Some people are allergic to aspirin, and an allergic reaction can lead to death.What we don't know is the effective dose of Turmeric or the lethal dose of it in that supplement bottle. But we know that turmeric, curcumin can lead to liver injury and death.Turmeric and Liver InjuryToxicity is always in the dose. High curcumin levels, the active ingredient in turmeric, have caused liver damage (Ref 1-13). To quote from one of the references:Liver injury due to turmeric appears to be increasing in the United States, perhaps reflecting usage patterns or increased combination with black pepper. (2)Turmeric and CookingThere is no danger in using turmeric as a spice in cooking. First, because your intestines do not absorb turmeric well. Unlike a supplement, which has high doses of curcumin. In addition, supplements also have black pepper, which increases absorption. Since turmeric has a mild anti-inflammatory component, this might have limited benefits as part of a healthy diet. Tumeric belongs in the cabinet, not in a capsule.TEXT FROM THE PODCASTYou probably have some turmeric in your herb and spice drawer.You’ve probably heard that Turmeric’s active ingredient Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for centuries as an “ancient” medicine.That yellow powder comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, a member of the ginger family.Turmeric has a warm, bitter taste, and I use it in Paella, curry, and add it to salads, rice, or other starches like pearl barley.But what you haven’t heard is that too much Turmeric can kill you.Today we will make sense of the madness surrounding Turmeric. From its promise as an anti-cancer agent to its toxicity, and who should avoid it for daily use.FORK UI’m Dr. Terry Simpson, and THIS is FORK UFork UniversityWhere we make sense of the madnessBust a few myths!And teach you a little bit about food as medicine.InflammationInflammation is a complex biochemical, physiological, and even pathological process. Inflammation is the basis of our immune system, and acute inflammation allows us to rid our bodies of cancer, viruses, bacteria, yeasts, mold, and parasites. Without the inflammatory process, we would end up being a pile of goo in twenty-four hours – dead as dead can be. Inflammation allows us