A New Jersey woman’s daily turmeric supplement routine almost caused her liver to fail. Katie Mohan started feeling sick with symptoms including nausea and dark urine, despite drinking plenty of water. Realizing her supplements might be the cause, she went to urgent care.
Turmeric, a root related to ginger, is praised for reducing inflammation and joint pain, but excessive doses can harm the liver. Mohan was taking 2,250 mg daily, far above the World Health Organization’s recommended maximum of 200 mg for her body weight.
Tests revealed her liver enzymes were 60 times higher than normal, signaling severe liver injury. Dr. Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos, a hepatologist at NYU, said she was very close to liver failure and might have needed a transplant without medical intervention.
Thankfully, after nearly a week of hospital care, her liver began to regenerate. This case underscores the need for caution when using supplements and consulting doctors about safe dosages.
