Some small studies suggest that high dose turmeric supplements might help reduce some symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, turmeric is not a substitute for standard treatment or lifestyle changes, and the research on its use for fatty liver is not conclusive.
People with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have inflammation and fat accumulation in the liver. Over time, this can affect liver functioning and overall health, even though most people with fatty liver initially have no symptoms.
NAFLD develops without excessive alcohol use. Certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, may increase the risk. As many as 75%Trusted Source of people with obesity may develop NAFLD.
However, some people develop the condition in the absence of any risk factors, and most estimates suggest that at least 20%Trusted Source of Americans have a diagnosis of NAFLD.
A healthy diet and lifestyle, as well as weight loss for people who have overweight or obesity, may help treatTrusted Source NAFLD.
Can turmeric help prevent fatty liver disease?
Several studies suggest that turmeric, or a compound it contains called curcumin, plays a role in treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Turmeric may help reduce inflammation, a key symptom of NAFLD.
In a 2021 studyTrusted Source, 64 people with NAFLD took either 2 grams of turmeric or a placebo every day for 8 weeks. Liver enzymes dropped significantly in the turmeric group. Liver enzymes tend to climb with NAFLD.
Serum levels of triglycerides and cholesterol also declined in the turmeric group. The placebo group did not show similar changes.
A 2019 systematic reviewTrusted Source assessed five prior trials of turmeric for NAFLD. Each of the trials was small, and all had methodological shortcomings that reduced the quality of the evidence. However, the review did suggest that turmeric might be useful. The findings were as follows:
Three of four trials with data on turmeric or curcumin compared to baseline showed reductions in liver enzymes and the severity of NAFLD.
Two of four placebo-controlled studies showed significant reductions in the liver enzymes ALT and AST with turmeric or curcumin compared to placebo.
One trial of four placebo-controlled trials used turmeric instead of curcumin. That study did not show improvements in liver enzymes or NAFLD severity compared to the placebo group. This suggests that curcumin, rather than turmeric, could be the more important supplement.
These studies have assessed turmeric and curcumin for the treatment of NAFLD, not prevention. While it is possible that turmeric might have similar benefits in the prevention of NAFLD, research does not currently support its use. However, lifestyle factors such as maintaining a healthy body weight mayTrusted Source prevent NAFLD.
One 2019 studyTrusted Source did not find benefits for curcumin compared to a placebo. It included 50 people with NAFLD who took either curcumin or a placebo for 12 weeks. Researchers also provided both groups with information about lifestyle changes to combat NAFLD.
The curcumin group did not experience benefits greater than those of the placebo group.
Taken together, the data suggest that turmeric may have some benefits for NAFLD. But the research does not prove that it is a viable treatment or superior to standard treatments.
As turmeric is a supplement and not a prescription medication, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not test its effectiveness or make dosage recommendations.
Instead, supplement manufacturers recommend a range of doses — usually ranging from 500–2,000 milligrams (mg) per day. Most studies also examine dosages in this range.
To try turmeric, a person should consider starting with a lower dose of a few hundred mg, then increasing the dose weekly as long as they do not experience side effects.
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