Turmeric, an ingredient in most curries and mustards, has a nearly 4,000-year history of use as more than just a spice. Turmeric's deep orange pigment has been used as a coloring agent, and both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine traditions use turmeric for healing. Turmeric is safe for most people when consumed in amounts found in food. But turmeric can have side effects when taken in large doses. Some supplements contain up to 500 milligrams of turmeric extract, and their labels recommend taking four capsules a day. Turmeric usually does not cause significant side effects; however, some people may experience stomach upset, nausea, dizziness or diarrhea. Kur However, the effects of turmeric can increase or interfere with the effects of some medications you are taking. For example, turmeric has anticoagulant effects, meaning it can interfere with blood clotting. People can experience bleeding or bruising when combining large doses of turmeric with aspirin, warfarin, antiplatelet drugs and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen. Turmeric also increases the blood-thinning effects of herbal medicines, including angelica, clove, Danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, red clover and willow, Ulbricht said. Other medications, such as those for reducing stomach acid and diabetes, can also have their effects affected by turmeric supplements. Taking large amounts of turmeric can prevent the absorption of iron. Turmeric should be used with caution in people with iron deficiency. High doses of turmeric can lower blood sugar or reduce high blood pressure naturally, which means that people taking diabetes or blood pressure medications should be cautious when taking turmeric supplements. People preparing for surgery should avoid turmeric supplements because turmeric can increase the risk of bleeding. Turmeric can also interfere with the way the liver processes certain medications, so it is best to consult a doctor before taking large doses of turmeric along with medications. Excessive doses of turmeric can also cause delusions, slight fever, upset stomach or kidney stones. Turmeric can aggravate gallbladder problems or worsen symptoms of acid reflux or heartburn. Large doses of turmeric can also worsen arthritis symptoms and cause skin rashes. What amount of turmeric is safe to consume? Studies that show the health benefits of turmeric use turmeric extracts, which mainly contain curcumin in doses exceeding 1 gram per day. Since it is difficult to consume this amount naturally in a regular diet, turmeric is often taken as a supplement, where the curcumin content is much higher. In general, an acceptable amount of curcumin supplement to take on a daily basis is about 1.4 milligrams per pound of body weight, up to 12 grams. Anything more than that could cause you to have adverse reactions. Turmeric powders can sometimes be adulterated with cheap fillers such as wheat starch and questionable food coloring, which will cause adverse symptoms in people with gluten intolerance. They may even contain lead. The best choice is turmeric that is certified from a trustworthy supplier. If you are considering taking a new supplement, always talk to your doctor first to make sure he or she is aware and can point out to you any possible interactions with medications you are already taking