Curcumin is a potent medicinal and nutritional compound found in the Indian spice turmeric. Responsible for the spice's bright yellow coloration, curcumin has an extensive history of use as both a food and medicine. In modern naturopathy, supplements containing concentrated curcumin may be used to treat several medical conditions. Although curcumin is safe for pregnant women when eaten in food, it may be dangerous when used as a supplement during this sensitive stage of life.
Medicinal Benefits
Curcumin has not been proven to effectively treat any specific medical condition. However, emerging evidence suggests that this plant-based compound offers several medicinal properties. The National Institutes of Health reports that curcumin can reduce stomach discomfort, relieve inflammation, and promote the health of the heart. Limited evidence also suggests that intravenous curcumin slows the growth of cancerous tumors. Nevertheless, more clinical trials are needed to determine how effective the compound is, and if its benefits apply to pregnant women.
Use in Food
In general, it is safe for people of all ages and life-stages to eat curcumin in food. Curcumin comprises a significant portion of the volume of turmeric. It gives the spice its characteristic flavor and color. In India, where turmeric-based foods are extremely common, the spice is consumed in fairly large quantities during all stages of life. The University of Maryland Medical Center and National Institutes of Health both acknowledge curcumin's general safety when consumed in the amounts found in food.
Animal Studies
Because no human trials have investigated the effects of curcumin on fetal development, animal studies offer the closest available insight regarding the compound's effects on expectant mothers. A 1980 study published in "Mutation Reseach" was the last to investigate curcumin's impact on pregnant mammals. It found no increase in birth defects, stillbirths, miscarriages or infertility on rats fed the compound. However, a 2003 study in the "Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin" found that it caused birth defects in zebrafish. None of these studies provide conclusive evidence of curcumin's safety, or lack thereof, for pregnant women.
Warning
Despite a lack of evidence proving or refuting curcumin's safety in pregnancy, the National Institutes of Health urges pregnant women to avoid using curcumin in medicinal doses. Curcumin appears to increase the risk of contractions in the uterus, which can lead to miscarriage or pre-term labor. As a precaution, it may be best to avoid even food-based quantities of the compound if you are at a particularly high risk of preterm labor. Consult your obstetrician or midwife before using any medicinal herb.
