“Is turmeric good for kidney disease?” is another common question I get asked by many of my renal patients when they start their specific diet. I will answer this question in a nuanced manner so that the readers get more insight into turmeric and its effect on people suffering from kidney diseases.
Tumeric is a very popular spice found in virtually every household of India. Turmeric is largely grown in the tropics and is recognized by different names in different regions, for example in the northern part of India, turmeric is commonly called “Haldi” and in the southern part of India, it is also known as “Manjal’.
Turmeric does a lot more than simply giving the yellow color or adding a flavor to the food. Turmeric has various nutritional properties like fighting against inflammation, helping with digestive issues and the boosting immune system.
Coming back to the question, “Is turmeric good for kidney disease?”. When it comes to kidney diseases, inflammation is one of the biggest reasons for the progression of the disease which could lead to the complete failure of the kidneys.
How turmeric can be good for kidney disease?
There is a reasonable amount of evidence to suggest that curcumin in turmeric contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which have shown to slow down the progression of severe kidney diseases like CKD.
Another study done in 2016 suggests that due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory content, turmeric may also be helpful in reducing the inflammatory markers in people undergoing hemodialysis and in reducing the overall risk of developing kidney diseases.
What is the main medicinal ingredient in turmeric?
Curcumin is the main medicinal ingredient in turmeric. Curcumin is also responsible for giving turmeric its yellow color.
Because of the active compound curcumin, turmeric was used historically in traditional Chinese medicine as well as in India in the form of Ayurveda as a treatment for digestive issues, upper respiratory tract and for cuts and sores. Turmeric is also used as a paste for skin conditions.
Can curcumin damage your kidneys?
Curcumin/turmeric is generally safe to consume and would not cause any damage to the kidneys. However, for a person who is prone to develop kidney stones, eating a lot of turmeric may increase the chances of developing kidney stones.
The reason for this being the high amount of oxalate present in turmeric. The oxalates are soluble in nature which means that they bind with calcium which results in the development of an insoluble form of calcium oxalate which deposits to form stones in the kidney.
People who already have kidney stones or are susceptible to developing kidney stones are recommended to keep their turmeric intake to the utmost minimum.
Other than the risk of developing kidney stones for susceptible individuals, consuming large amounts of turmeric could also result in headache, diarrhea, bloating, and nausea
Is turmeric good for kidney stones?
As I mentioned above, turmeric powder is high in its oxalate content which might put people who are susceptible to developing kidney stones at risk if they have a dietary oxalate load that is already higher than it should be.
Hence, the turmeric in your diet is normally safe to eat for healthy individuals, however, if you are prone to developing kidney stones, it is important to keep an eye on the amount you consume throughout the day.
Limiting turmeric consumption to 1-2 tsp in a day would be ideal for people who are susceptible to kidney stone development.
Turmeric in kidney cancer
Some studies indicate that turmeric may promote anti-cancer effects in people suffering from kidney cancer.
A study done in 2019 demonstrated that curcumin stopped the growth of cancer cells in the bone and promoted the growth of healthy cells as well.
However, a lot more evidence is needed to say anything definitely about turmeric when it comes to kidney cancer.
Is turmeric tea good for kidney disease?
Turmeric tea can be helpful for kidney disease patients as it might help the kidneys in expelling out the toxic wastes from the body.
Turmeric tea may also be helpful for people suffering from polycystic kidney disease as the studies show that curcumin inhibits the growth of cyst formation in patients with PKD (Polycystic kidney disease).
Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited disorder that can lead to the development of numerous cysts in the kidneys. The cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can cause swelling in the abdomen.
Evidence suggests that curcumin was able to demonstrate significant inhibition of the development of these fluid-filled cysts, which means it slowed down the cyst formation.
Again, a lot more further research is needed on this topic but the initial studies have indicated a positive result when it comes to turmeric and kidney diseases like PKD.
Conclusion
Tumeric has a number of health benefits because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties.
Research has further indicated that turmeric and curcumin have protective properties that may prevent the kidneys from inflammatory diseases.
Thanks for very suggestion and advice
Thank you!
Thank you VERY much 😉
Thank you for all this good information! All this is brand new to me and well
Appreciated. Wish I had read your articles before, but I suppose it is better late than never.
Great article. Been using turmeric +ginger+pepper for a lung time and seems to help.Thanks
Thank you sir
Thank you!
Thank you will try for inflammation but only a small amount
Sure!
Thank you for a good explanation. I will decide what to do without worry.
I have acquired some turmeric tablets to try to improve my painful joints but, having read your very helpful article I am unsure what a safe dosage should be. I have only one kidney so need to be cautious. The manufacturer’s recommended daily dose is two tablets (each with 1000mg turmeric/500mg ginger/100mg black pepper). Perhaps I should begin with one tablet a day? Thank you doctor.
I wouldn’t consume more than one tablet a day.
Thank very much to give me some information about turemuric it damage your kidney
AS USUAL. A MIXED MESSAGE !
I TELL THE TRUTH.. TURMERIC IS GOOD BUT IT CAN BE BAD?!
Haha. Medical science is like that sir! What we know is less than the tip of an iceberg. I try to be helpful with whatever little I know. Humility leaves room for improvement while certainty makes us short sighted.
So is turmeric really good for Kidney Disease and Type to 2 diabetes ?
Some people say otherwise maybe not good in large dose ?
Thank You
Bryan
I would say that overall conclusive evidence for benefit is lacking. In moderate amounts it’s definitely not harmful. Large amounts of anything can cause problems. Moderation is the key.
Thank for this info it has helped me to understand a lot about oatmeal and Tumeric.
Glad that the articles helped.
Hi Dr. Prashant,
My GFR is stage 3A. My kidney doctor recommended me NOT to take 316mg of turmeric supplement daily. I would like to use
it for natural anti-inflammatory. Should I continue to take that supplement or not?
Thanks
Jim
While turmeric itself in small amounts shouldn’t be a problem, I don’t advise supplements as there isn’t enough evidence to prove their use.
Hi,
My GFR is 54 under the new staging system. I have tested positive for C-diff and am looking for safer alternative treatments other than strong antibiotics like vancomycin. I understand that turmeric is a good antimicrobial and is effective in treating C-diff. Is a turmeric suplament to treat C-diff safe for my CKD? And if so, what would be a safe recommended dose? Thanks S
Hi. Depends on the strength of the supplement. I would definitely avoid large doses of the supplement.
I can I take tumeric tea and avocado tea together I’m d morning
Difficult to answer without further info.
Good morning
I am a gout sufferer with regular attacks.
I only have one kidney as it was removed 3 years ago due to ureteric cancer.
I am also taking some medication for raised blood pressure.
Is it safe for me to take Turmeric to help with the pain caused by gout. Thanks.
Shouldn’t be a problem in small amounts.
I’ve been taking Turmeric complex 500 mg a day is this too much I am Frank to have kidney stones
I have had bad kidney stones in the past
People with kidney stones must avoid large amounts of turmeric as it contains oxalate which promotes stone formation.
I now have ckd after years of taking meds for RA. I have wanted to try turmeric but was concerned before your article. I plan to take/ use the 1-2 teaspoons a day. Any other advise?
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I still don’t know the right words to express my gratitude to this great man Dr Vincent After been diagnosed with herpes 2 months ago, I was given so many health prescriptions and advice with no improvement, I totally lost hope, until I found testimonies of Great Dr Vincent online research and on Facebook, Like anybody would, I was very skeptical about contacting him, but I later did and he opened up to me and told me what was involved and he started the remedies for my health. Thank God, I was cured from herpes by the herbal medication I received from him. I never thought that herpes could be cured from the bottom of my heart. I’m truly grateful, I pray you have a long life so you can help many more people on earth with your herbal medical support, You can reach him via Email dr.vincentherbalhome6@gmail.com Whatsapp Number +2349159559277 Website https://drvincentherbalistcure.weebly.com….