Turmeric: When to Take It & How to Track It
Also called: Curcumin, Curcuma longa
By MagdaLast updated
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family, and its root is used as a spice and in traditional medicine. Curcumin is the main compound that gives it its yellow colour. Turmeric and curcumin supplements are promoted for joint pain and many other conditions, but NCCIH says there is not enough evidence to conclude they help with any health purpose, although early results for knee osteoarthritis are positive. Curcumin is poorly absorbed on its own, so many products add piperine from black pepper, and some high-absorption products have been linked to liver injury. Tracking matters here mostly for safety: knowing what you took and when.
When to take Turmeric: general timing information
Curcumin is poorly absorbed on its own. Combining it with piperine, from black pepper, is one way products improve absorption. [1]
Highly bioavailable curcumin products have been linked to liver injury. Stop and contact a clinician if you notice tiredness, dark urine or yellow skin. [1]
Oral turmeric can cause nausea, acid reflux, stomach upset, diarrhea or constipation. [1]
Turmeric supplements may be unsafe during pregnancy, and some herbs interact with medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use. [1]
How to set a Turmeric reminder in Pillzy
Tap + in Pillzy and add your turmeric or curcumin product, noting whether it contains piperine.
Set Meal Timing to During meal if it upsets your stomach.
Choose the frequency on the label and a time that fits a meal.
Use dose notes to log any stomach or liver-related symptoms such as dark urine.
Share your history with your doctor if you take other medicines.
Frequently asked questions
Does turmeric help with joint pain?
NCCIH says early evidence for knee osteoarthritis is positive, but higher-quality studies are needed. For most other uses, there is not enough evidence to say turmeric helps.
Is cooking with turmeric the same as taking a supplement?
No. Supplements contain far more curcumin than food amounts, and high-absorption products have been linked to liver injury. Using turmeric as a spice in food is a different situation from taking concentrated capsules.