Dangerous Dose of Popular Supplement Nearly Kills Woman in New Jersey
Introduction:
- Turmeric supplements are often praised for their natural health benefits, especially for reducing inflammation and boosting immunity. But for one New Jersey woman, this widely trusted remedy turned into a life-threatening experience. What began as a daily wellness habit quickly spiraled into a serious medical emergency, highlighting the hidden risks of overusing even the most popular supplements. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that "natural" doesn’t always mean safe — especially when taken in high doses.
- A woman from New Jersey says she came dangerously close to losing her life after regularly taking turmeric supplements — a product commonly found in stores and praised for its health benefits.
- Katie Mohan, 57, from Morristown, told NJ.com that she suffered liver damage from taking turmeric pills daily. Turmeric, a bright yellow spice known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, is popular in the supplement market. Mohan explained that she began experiencing symptoms like exhaustion, nausea, abdominal pain, and yellowing of the eyes — a typical sign of jaundice.
- She first visited her doctor in April, but the medical tests came back normal. Despite that, her health kept deteriorating. Then, in June, she came across an NBC News report about a man who had liver issues caused by turmeric. That report made her reconsider what was happening to her.
- “I threw out the supplements and started thinking maybe that’s what was behind all this,” she said.
New Jersey Woman Almost Dies After Taking Too Much of Trendy Supplement
- According to NJ.com, Mohan had been taking turmeric capsules from the brand YouTheory, which she purchased at Costco. The label recommended a daily dose of three pills — totaling 2,250 milligrams. That amount exceeds the World Health Organization’s suggested limit of 3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day.
- After connecting the dots, Mohan went to an urgent care clinic and was quickly admitted to Morristown Medical Center. There, doctors discovered she had significant liver damage and treated her with antiviral medications via IV. But her condition remained serious, and her skin continued turning yellow.
- “I was terrified,” she said. “I wondered if I would need a liver transplant or even die.”
- Mohan was then transferred to NYU Langone Hospital in New York, where doctors diagnosed her with acute hepatitis and warned her liver was nearing failure. They even began preparing for the possibility of a transplant.
- “She was critically ill,” said Dr. Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos in his interview with NJ.com. “Her liver enzyme levels were 60 to 70 times higher than normal. She had turned deeply yellow.”
- According to Mohan, Dr. Pyrsopoulos confirmed that turmeric was the likely cause. “He told me, ‘You basically poisoned your liver with turmeric,’” she recalled. He explained that the dose and the inclusion of black pepper in the supplement made it especially harmful.
- Pyrsopoulos mentioned his hospital performs about three to four liver transplants each year due to turmeric-related liver injury.
- Thankfully, Mohan is now recovering. Though her liver enzyme levels are still above normal, they’re steadily improving, and all her symptoms have disappeared. She has since reported the supplement to the FDA in hopes of raising awareness about its potential dangers.
Conclusion:
- Katie Mohan’s frightening experience underscores the importance of approaching supplements with caution, even those marketed as natural and beneficial. While turmeric may offer health advantages for some, excessive use—especially in concentrated pill form—can lead to severe consequences, including liver damage. Her story is a wake-up call for consumers to research dosage guidelines, consult healthcare professionals before starting supplements, and report any adverse effects. As the popularity of wellness products continues to grow, so too must our awareness of their potential risks.
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