Does Turmeric Interact with Statins ? (Cholesterol Medication)

Quick Answer: Does Turmeric Interact with Statins ?

Statins are drugs popularly used for treating hypercholesterolemia. Turmeric may also normalize cholesterol levels. Based on research, turmeric may interact with statins, but no adverse health effects have been reported taking turmeric with statins. Also, it has been suggested that turmeric may alleviate the side effects of statins. However, it is recommended to maintain a gap of 3-4 hours while taking turmeric with statins.

Taking turmeric together with statins to lower cholesterol levels does not cause any adverse health effects. Both turmeric and statins are potent lipid-lowering agents.

Turmeric can be used as an adjuvant in statin therapy to reduce the dosage of drugs. It can also alleviate several side effects associated with statin use.

Intake of turmeric in the diet is considered safe. However, curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric can interfere with the process of drug metabolism.

Hence, it is advised to maintain a gap of 3-4 hours when taking turmeric supplements and statins together.

Let us know what scientists have to say about these effects.

Turmeric Interactions with Statins Can you Take Both Safely?

1. Turmeric and statins have the same effects on lipid profile

Statins are commonly used compounds used for treating hypercholesterolemia. There are different types of statins like atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, pitavastatin, fluvastatin, and rosuvastatin.

Statins reduce cholesterol by inhibiting the HMG-CoenzymeA reductase enzyme which is responsible for cholesterol synthesis in the liver.

Several studies have reported that curcumin in turmeric also targets the same pathways as statins for reducing lipid levels. It also acts as an inhibitor of the human HMG-CoA reductase enzyme.

Turmeric can be used as a natural product to normalise cholesterol levels and prevent related cardiovascular disorders.

Research has also stated that the lipid-lowering effects of turmeric are comparable to those of statins like atorvastatin and lovastatin.

Read: Turmeric and Atorvastatin

Golden paste incorporates black pepper and healthy fats with turmeric to improve its bioavailability.

Piperine, the compound in black pepper acts as a bioenhancer which increases turmeric bioavailability by the body.

Read: Turmeric and Black Pepper – A great Combo

Piperine has also been reported to lower lipid levels and increase HDL-concentrations.

Thus turmeric and golden paste have the potential to act as a natural supplement to aid in the treatment of high cholesterol, lower the dosage of drugs and their side effects.

2. Turmeric and black pepper affect drug metabolism and absorption

No adverse effects on the health of taking either turmeric or black pepper along with statins have been reported by any studies.

In fact, nanoformulations comprising of both curcumin and statins have been developed to provide better results in atherosclerosis.

However, more studies need to be conducted to determine the dosage and safety of turmeric when used along with statins.

Some studies have reported that turmeric decreases the activity of Cytochrome P450 enzyme which plays a vital role in the metabolism of various drugs.

This means that if curcumin or turmeric is taken in significant amounts, it can decrease the metabolism of drugs and increase their concentrations in the blood. If drugs are not metabolised appropriately, their therapeutic action may be lowered.

These are just preliminary studies, and more detailed studies and trials need to be conducted on humans to ascertain these effects.

On the other hand, piperine in black pepper enhances the absorption of drugs by the body. Statins are usually taken for long-term, and their increased absorption will also increase the adverse effects caused by them.

Nonetheless, turmeric and golden paste offer many benefits which should not be missed due to their ability to influence drug availability. There are many studies which suggest the use of turmeric as an effective adjuvant to statin therapy.

Dietary turmeric contains low amounts of curcumin and is unlikely to present with these effects in a significant manner. However, while taking turmeric supplements and statins, it is better to maintain a gap 3-4 hours to avoid possible interactions.

The dosages of turmeric or curcumin supplements and statins should be carefully formulated by consulting with a medical practitioner.

3. Turmeric alleviates the side effects of statins

Statins are known to pose the risk of several side effects including myopathy, muscle pain, diabetes mellitus and liver problems.

Turmeric is considered safe for consumption, is well-tolerated and has no severe side effects.

Moreover, it can alleviate the side effects of statins. It can lower myotoxicity, muscle inflammation, pain, soreness, muscular atrophy and regenerate damaged muscle cells.

It can also assist in the prevention of diabetes and normalise the levels of liver functioning enzymes.

Read: Turmeric benefits for diabetes patients 

This makes turmeric an even more beneficial add-on therapeutic agent in statin treatment.

Turmeric and Simvastatin interaction?

Simvastatin is a statin commonly used to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Also, curcumin influences the same mediators of plasma lipids as statins.

No studies have reported adverse reactions with turmeric and simvastatin administration.

Moreover, curcumin has shown potential as an adjunct in patients with Statin-associated muscle symptoms and the possibility of statin reduction. Also, a combination of turmeric and simvastatin has shown an additive effect.

More studies are needed to understand if turmeric interacts with simvastatin, and the combined effect may effectively lower cholesterol levels.

Does turmeric interact with rosuvastatin/ Crestor?

Rosuvastatin is a statin used to lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and increase HDL cholesterol.

Studies have shown that co-administration of turmeric and rosuvastatin had positive effects. No studies have reported adverse side effects of its co-administration.

The co-administration of curcumin may increase the concentration of rosuvastatin in rats and dog plasma.

In another in vitro study, a combination of curcumin and rosuvastatin showed significant antimicrobial activity by suppressing the growth of microorganisms.

However, more human-controlled studies are required to see if turmeric alters the efficacy of rosuvastatin by its co-administration.

Does turmeric interact with atorvastatin?

Atorvastatin is a statin known to inhibit the HMG-CoA reductase involved in cholesterol synthesis. Turmeric also reduces serum lipid levels.

No adverse health effects are reported due to the interaction and co-administration of turmeric and atorvastatin.

Some studies have reported that turmeric may work as an adjuvant to atorvastatin treatment in patients with disordered lipid metabolism.

It may reduce the oxidative stress manifestations of atorvastatin. A study showed that atorvastatin and curcumin nanocarriers might have a positive effect on atherosclerosis.

However, it is recommended to consult your healthcare provider before taking turmeric and atorvastatin for possible side effects.

How to Take Turmeric

One of the best aspects of turmeric is that is extremely easy to take and there are infinite possibilities in which you can have it.

Raw turmeric, turmeric powder, and Tumeric supplements are the 3 ways one can include turmeric in their life.

Raw turmeric is great, but not available everywhere and throughout the year. The most popular way is turmeric powder.

We recommend making the Golden paste (recipe here) using the powder for best results. You can use any good turmeric spice powder for this. If you are confused which powder to buy, here are some recommendations>

Turmeric supplements work great when you are dealing with an aggressive disorder or need quick relief (e.g. extreme arthritis pain). There are a variety of supplements available in the market (in fact too many!). If you are looking for some good ones, here is a list to help you out>

Have you taken turmeric along with statins or otherwise? If yes, do share your experience with all of us by commenting below. 

FAQs

Does turmeric alleviate the side effects of statins?

Yes. The statin-induced myopathy has been observed as a side effect of statin. The anti-oxidant properties of statins may help with attenuating statin-induced myopathy. It may improve statin adherence and the overall health of patients with high cholesterol.

What is the effect of turmeric on serum lipid profile?

Studies in animals and a short-term human study showed that curcumin, a polyphenolic compound in the curry spice turmeric, may decrease serum cholesterol concentration, triglycerides and increase HDL levels. However, more controlled human studies are required to confirm the same.

Can curcumin and statins synergistically treat hyperlipidemia?

Studies have shown that curcumin may improve the lipid profile as efficiently as statins. Moreover, the synergistic effect of curcumin and statins may treat patients with hyperlipidemia and reduce the dose of statins, as statins have been associated with side effects. However, more studies are required to determine the dose of turmeric and statins required.

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