For the last 2 to 3 years, I had been taking high doses of turmeric supplements. Yes, 1,500 to 2,000 mg every day, and, at times, even exceeding that because everyone was raving about its amazing anti-inflammatory properties. At the time, I believed that what I was doing was really good for my arthritis condition and, in general, my well-being. However, the moment I began to experience some weird symptoms, such as lower-back pains, changes in the pattern in which I would urinate, and overall exhaustion, was when, finally, I was subjected to the agony of blood testing, and my Doc noticed some alarming signs in my kidney health parameters.
The fact is that turmeric by itself is not a problem for your kidneys, but excessive consumption of turmeric can be problematic for some individuals. To speak more plainly, aside from taking excessive amounts of turmeric as I did, turmeric contains a high quantity of oxalates that can trigger kidney stones and can also affect kidneys for some people with other conditions and medications. It's thanks to an article that my nephrologist recommended that I learned about different ways that one can take turmeric safely while actually protecting their kidneys. This article has literally changed the way that I approach using turmeric now, bringing my kidney levels back into normal ranges within the first 8 months of following its advice. I can honestly say that now that I know more about the importance of balance and moderation in using supplements like turmeric safely. I no longer take the approach that all natural supplements are safe to consume in any amount that one wants. It's now important for me to take turmeric safely—and that means using the spice rather than supplements, staying well-hydrated to help eliminate the oxalates out of my body, taking turmeric along with black pepper which will allow the turmeric to be more easily absorbed even at a safe low dose. Furthermore, taking turmeric supplements is something that a person should avoid altogether depending on whether they are a sufferer of kidney stones.