The United States Drug Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN) just published their series on turmeric related severe liver injury.
A 🧵 on why this paper is useful, in the context of turmeric as a dietary supplement and
why considering food as medicine is a stupid thing to do 1/
A 🧵 on why this paper is useful, in the context of turmeric as a dietary supplement and
why considering food as medicine is a stupid thing to do 1/
Turmeric is a widely used herbal product derived from the roots of Curcuma longa, plant belonging to the ginger family
Advertised as dietary supplement for variety of conditions, arthritis, respiratory infections, liver disease, aging, and prevention of #COVID19
2/
Advertised as dietary supplement for variety of conditions, arthritis, respiratory infections, liver disease, aging, and prevention of #COVID19
2/
Trials of turmeric in humans have not shown toxic effects..
..curcumin is reported to be safe orally at the dose of 6 grams per day for 4 to 7 weeks
BUT one reason for its safety is that its POORLY absorbed orally
Marketed turmeric supplements include black pepper which..3/
..curcumin is reported to be safe orally at the dose of 6 grams per day for 4 to 7 weeks
BUT one reason for its safety is that its POORLY absorbed orally
Marketed turmeric supplements include black pepper which..3/
..highly increases its absorption
20 mg of piperine can ncrease turmeric absorption by 20-fold
This enhanced absorption leads to severe liver injury
In this study by the US DILIN group, authors found
Ten cases of turmeric-associated liver injury and of them were women
4/
20 mg of piperine can ncrease turmeric absorption by 20-fold
This enhanced absorption leads to severe liver injury
In this study by the US DILIN group, authors found
Ten cases of turmeric-associated liver injury and of them were women
4/
Five patients were hospitalized
1 patient died of acute liver failure
Imagine
Killed by turmeric
Chemical analysis confirmed the presence of turmeric in all 7 products tested; 3 also contained black pepper.
Authors did something cool
They also looked at patient genetics
5/
1 patient died of acute liver failure
Imagine
Killed by turmeric
Chemical analysis confirmed the presence of turmeric in all 7 products tested; 3 also contained black pepper.
Authors did something cool
They also looked at patient genetics
5/
..and found that a specific genetic risk known as HLA-B*35:01 in humans could increase risk of liver injury due to turmeric use!
All of you, happily gulping down turmeric, are you SURE YOU DONT HAVE this genetic RISK?
If you have, at what time point will you get sick? 6/
All of you, happily gulping down turmeric, are you SURE YOU DONT HAVE this genetic RISK?
If you have, at what time point will you get sick? 6/
The study also says that the time to developing turmeric liver injury was from 1 month to 4 months are start of using the supplement.
sciencedirect.com/science/articl… 7/
sciencedirect.com/science/articl… 7/
The Italian Government recently identified and warned against turmeric supplements and issued a warning ⚠️
They also asked sellers NOT to advertise benefits of turmeric as a therapy agent because there are none
8/
They also asked sellers NOT to advertise benefits of turmeric as a therapy agent because there are none
https://twitter.com/theliverdr/status/1560285158032347137?t=x-B4Zx67mTKjKNGOblRyXA&s=19
8/
Not just the liver, but turmeric can scre up with your blood system and cause severe bleeding episodes, some life threatening
9/
https://twitter.com/theliverdr/status/1547611826648539140?t=EH75grqta9J3k7jZwU7DSw&s=19
9/
There is no good clinical data to support use of turmeric in any disease condition
10/
https://twitter.com/theliverdr/status/1493597430793007109?t=1ULl_xtCtKuoe8BTIm4pEw&s=19
10/
Turmeric lovers and Ayurveda sympathizers would come with the argument, it's just 10 cases, so what? Modern medicine kills more!
If a supplement has no benefits and if it causes even one bad side effect event, then it's far worse
That was an avoidable death or disease! 11/
If a supplement has no benefits and if it causes even one bad side effect event, then it's far worse
That was an avoidable death or disease! 11/
..modern medicines have more benefits and known risks. For eg anti TB drugs save hundreds or 1000s of lives but also are associated with liver injury and liver failure
But the risk is miniscule compared to the immense benefits these drugs against TB have!
But turmeric.. 12/
But the risk is miniscule compared to the immense benefits these drugs against TB have!
But turmeric.. 12/
..it has no known benefits, has no known clinical use, has no known or well established clinical recommendation, but has emerging reports of severe side effects, some leading to death.
That is called avoidable liver disease burden. One life lost to misinformation is..13/
That is called avoidable liver disease burden. One life lost to misinformation is..13/
..a lifetime worth of grief and bereavement for the family at loss.
Why use herbal drugs and supplements that DO NOT help you get better, but makes you sicker?
Isn't that plain stupid?
14/End
Why use herbal drugs and supplements that DO NOT help you get better, but makes you sicker?
Isn't that plain stupid?
https://twitter.com/theliverdr/status/1560299632898453504?t=JHLCD_g9MjCUzKzw_dw_Tg&s=19
14/End
Oh and by the way, waiting for such responses on this thread from Nationalists, anti Western Medicine proud whatever Indians 🙄
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
