Turmeric is one of the most used spices in Asian cuisine. This yellow spice has been hailed for its healing properties for centuries. A turmeric latte is touted for its myriad health benefits. Turmeric contains several anti-inflammatory compounds collectively called curcuminoids. It is used as a natural remedy for several conditions, including
- aches and pains,
- fever,
- arthritis,
- itching, and
- managing high cholesterol.
Turmeric, however, may do more harm than good if a person has certain health conditions or is taking certain medications. This is specifically true if turmeric is taken as a supplement in a tablet or lozenge form (which has a higher concentration of curcuminoids). Hence, consult a doctor before trying any herbal or natural products including turmeric.
If taking any blood pressure medicines, ask the doctor to know if turmeric can be taken as well. Turmeric may cause the levels of some blood pressure medications to spike. This is because turmeric lowers the activity of an enzyme system called P450 3A4 or CYP3A4 in the liver. This, in turn, increases the effects and side effects of blood pressure medications, such as
- Calcium channel blockers (including diltiazem, nicardipine, and verapamil)
- Angiotensin II receptor antagonists (such as losartan)
Furthermore, cells have certain pumps (called P glycoprotein pumps) that transport some blood pressure medications (such as diltiazem and verapamil). Turmeric retards this movement of the drug inside the cell, which leads to an increased blood concentration of the drug. This may increase the side effects of the medication.
Can any other health supplements interact with the blood pressure medications?
Several medications with varying mechanisms of action are available to manage blood pressure. While on any of these medications, a doctor’s approval is a must before taking any natural remedies or supplements along with them. Some of the other herbal supplements that may have a drug interaction with high blood pressure medications are:
- Ginseng: This ancient herb is popular for its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Certain studies have suggested that ginseng may cause changes in blood pressure as well (raise or lower it). Hence, avoid the herb if there are blood pressure concerns or if taking medications for high blood pressure.
- Bitter orange: It is native to Asia and is popular for its alleged role in promoting weight loss and improving athletic performance although no evidence exists to support either. This supplement has been banned by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) due to its role in increasing the heart rate and blood pressure and the potential to cause cardiovascular side effects, such as heart attack and stroke.
- Ephedra: This is another alleged weight-loss supplement that has been banned in the United States. It has several safety concerns, such as raising the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, seizures, and heart attack.
- Ma-huang: It is a Chinese supplement that contains ephedra and has similar safety concerns, such as a higher risk of high blood pressure, stroke, seizures, and heart attack.
- St. John's wort: It is a flowering plant that has been used for centuries for managing mental health conditions, including depression. It increases metabolism. This may cause a faster metabolism of blood pressure medications, thereby decreasing their therapeutic effect. This may increase blood pressure.
- Yohimbine: It is a supplement derived from an African evergreen tree. It has been used in the past for treating erectile dysfunction. It has several safety concerns, including the ability to raise blood pressure. Thus, it may counter the effect of blood pressure medications.
SLIDESHOW
How to Lower Blood Pressure: Exercise and Tips See SlideshowRxList. Turmeric. https://www.rxlist.com/turmeric/supplements.htm#HowDoesItWork
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artichoke
Artichoke is available over the counter (OTC) as an herbal supplement and is used for medicinal purposes to treat indigestion, lower cholesterol, and to protect the liver. Other uses include appetite loss, and gallbladder problems, high blood fat levels (hyperlipidemia), high blood pressure, hepatitis C, and irritable bowel syndrome. Common side effects of artichoke include gas (flatulence), upset stomach, diarrhea, and allergic reactions. Consult with your doctor before taking artichoke supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Can You Take Turmeric with Blood Pressure Medication?
Turmeric may not react well with some medications, including blood pressure medication.garlic
Garlic is an edible bulb from the plant Allium sativum. Its medicinal properties may inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and slow down the blood clotting process. Garlic may be used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood fat levels (hyperlipidemia), preventing coronary artery disease, enhancing circulation, preventing cancer, menstrual disorders, and other infections. Common side effects of garlic include bad breath, body odor, nausea, vomiting, gas (flatulence), heartburn, diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, gastrointestinal irritation and burning, bleeding, nasal inflammation (rhinitis), and others.
Benefits of Turmeric
The yellow-orange spice turmeric may be trendy with the wellness crowd. But is it truly a super food? Here's what it can -- and can't -- do for your health.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms.
Systolic and diastolic are the two readings in which blood pressure is measured. The American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for high blood pressure in 2017. The guidelines now state that blood normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If either one of those numbers is higher, you have high blood pressure.
The American Academy of Cardiology defines high blood pressure slightly differently. The AAC considers 130/80 mm Hg. or greater (either number) stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is considered 140/90 mm Hg. or greater.
If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.
REFERENCE: CDC. High Blood Pressure. Updated: Nov 13, 2017.
Is Turmeric Good for Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory joint condition. There is no evidence of effectiveness of turmeric in people with ankylosing spondylitis. However, it seems to work to reduce the pain and severity of signs and symptoms in people with arthritis.Is Turmeric OK to Take With High Blood Pressure?
Turmeric is an ancient remedy, a perennial plant in the ginger family. Turmeric may help lower blood pressure, but talk to your doctor if you take medication to make sure it doesn't interact with it.labetalol
Labetalol is a medication prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure. The most common side effects of labetalol are fatigue, dizziness, nausea, headache, diarrhea, edema (fluid accumulation), and shortness of breath. Other important side effects include sexual dysfunction, abnormal heart rhythm, slow heart rate, liver failure, and allergic reactions. Consult your doctor before taking if pregnant or breastfeeding.metoprolol
Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent drug, which blocks the action of the sympathetic nervous system (a portion of the involuntary nervous system). Metoprolol is prescribed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), heart pain (angina), heart rhythm disorders, and some neurological conditions. Side effects include fever, impotence, sore throat, nausea, depression, insomnia, constipation, memory loss, and high blood pressure.
midodrine
Midodrine is a medication used to treat orthostatic hypotension, also known as postural hypotension, a condition that causes a drop in blood pressure when standing up from sitting or lying down. Common side effects of midodrine include abnormal skin sensations (paresthesia) including in the scalp, goosebumps (piloerection), painful urination (dysuria), increased urinary frequency and urgency, impaired urination, urinary retention, itching (pruritus) including in the scalp, supine hypertension, increase in systolic blood pressure, chills, abdominal or other pain, and skin rash. Use with caution in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide
Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Maxzide, Dyazide) is a diuretic medication prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure and edema. Review side effects, drug interactions, and safety during pregnancy information prior to taking this medication.vasopressin
Synthetically produced vasopressin is used to increase the blood pressure in adults who are in a state of severely low blood pressure (hypotension) from vasodilatory shock. Common side effects of vasopressin include hemorrhagic shock, decrease in platelets, intractable bleeding, right heart failure, rapid irregular rhythm of atria (atrial fibrillation), slow heart rate (bradycardia), reduced blood flow to the heart muscle (myocardial ischemia), lower limb ischemia, abdominal (mesenteric) ischemia, ischemic lesions in the skin, increased bilirubin levels, acute kidney insufficiency, low sodium levels (hyponatremia), abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, bronchial constriction, and others. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
What Are the Health Benefits of Turmeric?
Turmeric is a root closely related to ginger, sometimes referred to as Indian saffron. Health benefits of turmeric may include improvements in type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, certain cancers, digestive disorders, respiratory infections, allergies, liver disease and depression.
What Time of Day Is Blood Pressure Highest?
Your blood pressure follows a pattern, rising a while before you wake up. It is the highest at midday and tends to drop in the evening or late afternoon.
Which Medications Should Not Be Taken With Turmeric?
Turmeric is a blood thinner. So if you are on other blood-thinning medications, you shouldn’t take turmeric or turmeric supplements as doing so may increase your risk of bleeding and bruising or even make the other medications less effective.Who Should Not Use Turmeric?
Turmeric is a spice mainly used in Asian cuisine. It has antiseptic and antioxidant benefits. People who should not take turmeric include those with gallbladder problems, bleeding disorders, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infertility, iron deficiency, liver disease, hormone-sensitive conditions and arrhythmia. Pregnant women and those who are going to undergo surgery should not use turmeric.