Overview

• In March, New Jersey father Robert Grafton was hospitalized with drug-induced liver injury after taking a turmeric-based liquid supplement delivering 2,250 mg of curcumin plus black pepper extract.
• An April case saw Jenny Ramirez develop acute liver failure linked to methylsulfonylmethane in common over-the-counter vitamins, showing risks extend beyond turmeric alone.
• The Food and Drug Administration classifies herbal supplements as dietary supplements and does not regulate their purity or dosage, leaving consumers without quality oversight.
• A 2024 JAMA Network study found that 15.6 million Americans regularly use botanical supplements, with turmeric ranking as the most popular ingredient.
• Medical specialists advise capping curcumin intake at 500–1,000 mg per day and caution against using absorption enhancers like piperine without professional supervision.