Health
Excessive turmeric intake can cause kidney damage — Nephrologists
Idowu Abdullahi
The immediate past President of the Nigerian Association of Nephrology, Prof. Jacob Awobusuyi, has cautioned Nigerians against excessive consumption of turmeric, warning that high intake could increase the risk of kidney stones and, in severe cases, kidney damage.
Turmeric is a yellow-orange spice originating in southern Asia. It is a popular ingredient in many dishes, often consumed for its health benefits.
However, supplements containing turmeric or curcumin, its main active ingredient, are becoming increasingly common.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, Awobusuyi said that although turmeric is widely regarded as a beneficial spice, excessive consumption may pose health risks because of its oxalate content.
He said, “Turmeric contains oxalates, which can predispose some individuals to kidney stones.
“Excessive intake can increase the risk of developing calcium oxalate stones, which may cause significant kidney damage and, in some cases, contribute to kidney failure.”
He urged Nigerians to use turmeric in moderation and seek professional advice on the required quantities for consumption.
His concern was coming at a time when data from the Nigerian Association of Nephrology shows that over 20 million Nigerians have kidney diseases, with 20,000 of them progressing to end-stage kidney disease yearly, requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation.
The nephrologist also raised concerns over the growing use of herbal supplements and mixtures with unknown ingredients.
According to him, many of these products have uncertain compositions, making it difficult to determine their safety or potential effects on the kidneys.
Awobusuyi said, “We also have various herbal supplements and spice mixtures whose exact composition is often unknown. Some of these products may contain substances that are nephrotoxic, meaning they can injure the kidneys.”
He noted that while direct scientific evidence linking many of the products to kidney injury is still limited, their unknown compositions remain a source of concern.
The nephrologist added, “Although we do not yet have direct scientific evidence linking many of these products to kidney injury, circumstantial evidence suggests that some may contribute to the acute kidney injury cases we see.”
Also, a Senior Registrar at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Nephrology Unit, Dr. Harriet Yepwi, explained that “a little (turmeric) is good, but too much is bad”.
She argued that “the level to which it causes damage is yet to be established”.
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