From the Guidelines
Turmeric may be beneficial for liver diseases due to its active compound curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but its effectiveness is not directly addressed in the provided evidence. For liver health support, a typical recommendation is 500-1500 mg of curcumin extract daily, divided into 2-3 doses, taken with meals containing fat to improve absorption. Black pepper extract (piperine) enhances curcumin absorption by up to 2000%, so supplements combining both are more effective 1.
Key Considerations
- The provided evidence focuses on the management of bone disease in patients with chronic liver disease and the treatment of hepatitis C, but does not directly discuss the use of turmeric or curcumin for liver diseases.
- However, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of curcumin may be beneficial for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, and alcoholic liver disease.
- People with gallstones, bile duct obstructions, or those taking blood thinners should consult their doctor before using turmeric supplements, as curcumin may interact with certain medications including anticoagulants and some diabetes drugs.
Liver Disease Management
- The management of liver diseases, such as hepatitis C, involves antiviral therapy, and the goal of therapy is to cure HCV infection to prevent hepatic cirrhosis, decompensation of cirrhosis, HCC, severe extrahepatic manifestations, and death 1.
- Assessment of liver disease severity is recommended prior to therapy, and non-invasive methods, such as liver stiffness measurement and biomarkers, can be used to assess liver fibrosis and the presence of portal hypertension.
Turmeric and Liver Health
- While turmeric shows promise for liver health, its use should complement rather than replace conventional medical treatments.
- Turmeric is generally well-tolerated, though high doses may cause digestive discomfort.
- The liver-protective effects of turmeric stem from curcumin's ability to activate antioxidant pathways, reduce inflammatory cytokines, and inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation that contributes to liver fibrosis.
From the Research
Turmeric and Liver Diseases
- Turmeric and its curcumin extract have been evaluated for their potential therapeutic effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) 2.
- Studies have shown that curcumin extract can reduce alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and NAFLD severity grade 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The effects of turmeric on liver function are less clear, with one study finding no significant differences in ALT, AST, or NAFLD severity between turmeric and placebo groups 2.
- Curcumin supplementation has been shown to improve liver function, decrease serum triglyceride levels, ameliorate insulin resistance, and reduce general and central obesity in patients with NAFLD 3, 4, 5.
Mechanisms of Action
- Curcumin has been found to exert protective and therapeutic effects on oxidative-associated liver diseases through various cellular and molecular mechanisms, including suppressing proinflammatory cytokines and lipid peroxidation products, and ameliorating cellular responses to oxidative stress 6.
- Curcumin acts as a free radical scavenger, reducing the activity of different kinds of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via its phenolic, β-diketone, and methoxy group 6.
Clinical Evidence
- Clinical trials have demonstrated the potential benefits of curcumin supplementation in patients with NAFLD, including improved liver function and reduced cardiovascular risk factors 2, 3, 4, 5.
- However, the quality of the evidence across studies is generally low, and further high-quality research is needed to confirm the effects of curcumin on liver diseases 2, 3, 5.