Can consuming turmeric decoction prevent or cure anaemia?

Hyderabad: A Facebook post claiming that turmeric water is enough to treat anaemia is making rounds on social media.

The caption to the post reads, “This is one of the most wonderful remedies in the entire herb kingdom. When one considers all that can be accomplished by its use and what it actually will do, it does seem like a real cure-all. It is especially valuable in all diseased states of the digestive system. The rhizome of turmeric contains essential oil, coloring substances, bitter components, organic acids, resin, and starch. It is a stomachic invigorator similar to ginger. Turmeric increases the production of gastric juice, thus easing digestion for lack of appetite or dyspepsia. It is also used for chronic gastritis and hypochloridria (lack of hydrochloric acids in the stomach). It also has cholagogue (promotes emptying the gall bladder) and carminative (eliminates intestinal gas) properties. (sic)”

The post then lists more than 20 potential benefits with curing anaemia as one of them.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is false.

What is anaemia?

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Anaemia is a problem of not having enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. Haemoglobin is a protein found in red cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all other organs in the body. Having anaemia can cause tiredness, weakness and shortness of breath. There are many forms of anaemia. Each has its own cause. Anaemia can be short-term or long-term. It can range from mild to severe. Anaemia can be a warning sign of serious illness.”

It adds, “Anaemia might involve taking supplements or having medical procedures. Eating a healthy diet might prevent some forms of anaemia.”

Contrary to the claim, a study has found that large doses of turmeric might actually induce anaemia from iron deficiency.

In a study, “A 66-year-old physician treated himself for an osteoarthritis flare after steroids with six turmeric extract capsules (538 mg) daily, to help with inflammation. During this time, his hemoglobin never rose above 12 and his iron and ferritin levels were consistent with iron deficiency. Upper and lower endoscopy and Hemoccult™ studies were negative. Two weeks after stopping the turmeric and continuing his usual iron supplement, his hemoglobin had returned to normal, with normalizing iron studies. Turmeric was associated with significant iron deficiency anaemia, consistent with the binding of available iron in the gut and the prevention of absorption. This resolved after the turmeric was stopped, consistent with animal studies.”

Even though curcumin or turmeric is said to be good for overall health, there is no clinical evidence that it can potentially cure or prevent anaemia.

We also contacted Dr S Vijay Mohan, MD, senior consultant physician, Care Hospitals, and the HoD for the Department of Internal Medicine, to debunk the claim.

“No, anaemia occurs due to multiple causes. There are more than 100 causes of anaemia. Each anaemia patient has a different cause and unless you treat the culprit it doesn’t get cured. From iron to B12 to folic acid deficiency and to any chronic infections like TB, malaria, typhoid, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease and cancer can cause anaemia. In India, the common cause of anaemia is a nutritional deficiency of iron, B12, folic acid etc,” Dr Mohan said.

“Sometimes worms in the stomach can produce anaemia. Agriculture workers handling soil may harbor worms in their intestines. Unless they take deworming medicines the anaemia may persist for years and also potentially give rise to complications in the future. Most pregnant women in India have anaemia because of increased needs during gestation. Some doctors give blood transfusions without finding the exact cause of anaemia which is wrong. Blood transfusion is reserved for only those with severe anaemia of fewer than seven grams,” he said.

“We usually advise the patients to consume green leafy vegetables to prevent iron deficiency. Milk is another good source of iron. Turmeric is anti-bacterial and has antioxidants but can’t be a treatment for anaemia. We should always try to treat the actual cause of anaemia rather than beating around the bush,” the doctor added.