Turmeric is known primarily as a deep yellow-colored spice that is used to flavor Asian delicacies. It also has a long history as a medicinal plant, and a growing body of research shows that compounds found in turmeric may have anticancer properties that could benefit people with myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) blood cancers such as polycythemia vera (PV). But can turmeric dietary supplements — along with standard MPN treatment plans — help relieve MPN symptoms?

Treatment of PV and other myeloproliferative disorders has improved dramatically in recent years with the use of newer drugs such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, which can help prevent PV from advancing to more aggressive diseases such as acute myeloid leukemia, myelofibrosis, or myelodysplastic syndromes.

Many myMPNteam members are interested in dietary supplements as part of a healthy lifestyle to complement their traditional MPN treatment. “I take vitamin D3 and turmeric with curcumin C3 complex, among others,” one team member wrote.

If you’re taking turmeric supplements for polycythemia vera — or any dietary supplement — it’s essential to know the benefits and risks. Always discuss dietary supplements with your doctor to determine if a supplement is appropriate for you.

Read on to learn more about turmeric and polycythemia vera.

What Is Turmeric?

Turmeric is a plant that’s related to ginger. In fact, turmeric root looks very similar to ginger root. Turmeric originated in Southeast Asia and is now mostly grown in India for commercial cultivation. The root of the turmeric plant is used in cooking as a spice but has also been used medicinally for centuries in India, China, and other Asian countries. Traditional medicinal uses include treating upper respiratory, skin, joint, and digestion ailments.

Turmeric is sold in grocery stores in powdered form and as a root to use as a spice. It’s also commonly used as an ingredient in curry powder, adding a deep yellow color to it.

In recent years, turmeric has become a popular dietary supplement, sold in tablets, capsules, and liquid extracts, among other forms.

Health Benefits Associated With Turmeric

Turmeric contains a substance called curcumin, which is the agent that makes turmeric yellow. Researchers have found numerous medicinal properties in curcumin that may help boost immune system functions, including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, antiviral, and antioxidant characteristics, among others. Curcumin is a polyphenol, or phytochemical, a type of compound found in plants that scientists believe is important for human health.

In people with polycythemia vera and other types of MPNs, the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This causes cancer cells and tumors to form. Researchers have found that curcumin has anti-proliferative properties, which means it helps to control clonal proliferation (overproduction) of blood cells by inducing apoptosis (cell death) in a healthy manner.

Researchers have also found curcumin to suppress JAK2 V617F stem cells, a genetic mutation (variant) that’s found in up to 95 percent of people with PV, according to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. JAK2 mutations are also found at a high rate among people with MPNs such as primary myelofibrosis and essential thrombocythemia.

Turmeric and MPN Symptoms

Although the role of curcumin in future treatments for polycythemia vera and other MPNs may be promising, research is currently limited, and there are no standards for using turmeric or curcumin as an MPN treatment. Turmeric and curcumin supplements have not been studied much in terms of their impact on PV or MPN symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, weight loss, bone pain, infections, and enlarged liver or spleen.

One study examined the effects of dietary supplements on MPN symptoms among 384 participants with either PV, essential thrombocythemia, or myelofibrosis. Participants reported using supplements including vitamin D, multivitamins, magnesium, omega-3, calcium, turmeric, and some others. Only omega-3 fatty acid supplements were found to improve symptoms, fatigue, and quality of life. However, the study emphasized that further research is needed to understand the appropriate dosage and duration for omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplements.

While some myMPNteam members have reported improved symptoms while taking turmeric supplements, others haven’t felt a difference.

One member shared their experience: “After one month of being really careful, platelets came down to 579, and legs and arms felt so much better. Circulation really seems to improve. I have nothing against animal products. I like eating them, but I have found so much relief by eliminating them from my diet. I think the ginger, cinnamon, garlic, and turmeric help also. Plus they taste good!!!”

Another member explained their use of turmeric: “I have really come to understand how important it is to control systemic inflammation. I believe that it not only causes a host of symptoms but also increases the risk of progression of the MPN. I am very fortunate to have found some things that help,” they said. “I use a liposomal curcumin/turmeric blend called CurcuWIN. It is contained in a number of different brand names.”

Someone else said, “I took turmeric+curcumin years ago for a while, but didn’t notice too much improvement with pain.”

Risks Associated With Turmeric Supplements

Spice turmeric is considered safe and may provide some health benefits for people with PV when added to food. Turmeric is a tasty ingredient in many healthy recipes.

However, turmeric and curcumin supplements — which contain more turmeric than would ordinarily be consumed as a spice — have a risk of toxicity and side effects including:

• Stomach upset
• Stomach ulcers
• Increased risk of kidney stones

Turmeric and curcumin supplements may have safety risks for people who are pregnant. Researchers aren’t sure if it’s safe for people who are breastfeeding.

Turmeric supplements have also been found to have adverse interactions with some chemotherapy drugs, some painkillers, and the immunosuppressive drug tacrolimus.

Turmeric and curcumin supplements may also interact poorly with other medications, resulting in risks such as:

• Strengthening of blood thinners and raising the risk of bleeding
• Counteracting drugs used to reduce stomach acid
• Strengthening drugs that lower blood sugar and increasing the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels)

People with PV have an increased risk of both thrombosis (blood clots) and bleeding. If you’re on blood thinners, be sure to discuss turmeric or curcumin supplements with your doctor. “I read that turmeric can interfere with a blood thinner and I take Xarelto for my [atrial fibrillation], so I would not try turmeric,” a myMPNmember shared.

You may also have an unexpected reaction to a dietary supplement, particularly if it’s combined with other substances. “I was itching like clockwork at 9 p.m.,” a member wrote. “I’ve started taking turmeric and glutathione. I’m not sure if that is the reason???”

Always Talk to Your Doctor Before Trying Dietary Supplements

It’s important to know that dietary supplements aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the same way as medications are regulated. The FDA is not authorized to review dietary supplements for safety, effectiveness, or labeling before they are made available to the general public. If a dietary supplement is discovered to be unsafe after it has been put on the market, the FDA might become involved.

As a general rule, always talk with your oncologist and oncology team before taking any dietary supplements to better understand if a supplement is appropriate for you and to determine a safe dosage.

Find Your Team

On myMPNteam, the social network for people with myeloproliferative neoplasms and their loved ones, more than 3,600 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with MPNs.

Have you added turmeric as a spice or supplement to your diet? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.