Although turmeric and curcumin are often used interchangeably, curcumin is actually a polyphenol found in turmeric, a traditional Indian spice. Curcumin is most commonly used as an anti-inflammatory, largely due to its potent antioxidant properties, but it's also shown some promise in treating other conditions such as heartburn, upset stomach and intestinal gas. However, curcumin --- or turmeric, for that matter --- doesn't have a direct therapeutic effect on blood pressure. Neither Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center nor the University of Maryland Medical Center, two leaders in complementary and alternative medicine, list curcumin or turmeric as benefiting blood pressure. Talk to your doctor before using this or any other supplement to improve blood pressure.
Cholesterol
The effect of curcumin on cholesterol is the only potential benefit this polyphenol has on blood pressure. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a study conducted on rats saw an improvement in cholesterol levels when the rats took an extract of turmeric. The spice prevented low-density lipoproteins --- or "bad" cholesterol --- from accumulating along the arterial walls. Cholesterol can form plaque, which narrows blood vessels and increases the risk of high blood pressure as well as heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Additional studies are needed to determine its effect on humans.
Dosage
The dosage of turmeric to treat upset stomach is usually 500 mg four times a day, 400 to 600 mg three times a day, or 15 to 30 drops of the tincture four times a day. There is no recommendations for the dosage needed to improve blood cholesterol. Talk to your doctor before using curcumin or turmeric to treat any medical condition.
Warning
Used as a spice, turmeric isn't likely to pose any problems. When taken medicinally, however, you're ingesting much more, which may cause nausea or diarrhea. The National Institutes of Health also cautions against its use prior to a surgical procedure. In large quantities, turmeric can inhibit the clotting of blood, so stop use at least two weeks before a surgery. Do not take it if you take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications; the supplement could adversely interact with either drug, increasing the chances of bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplement.
Recommendation
Instead of relying on curcumin or turmeric to lower blood pressure, look for other therapeutic methods. If you're looking for a more natural approach to lowering blood pressure, a number of lifestyle changes can help. Decreasing salt to no more than 1,500 mg a day, losing weight, increasing your level of physical activity, eating healthier foods and smoking cessation can all make an impact on your blood pressure.
