{"id":216621,"date":"2026-01-04T18:01:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T18:01:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/216621\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T18:01:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T18:01:08","slug":"what-happens-to-your-immunity-when-you-take-turmeric-and-vitamin-d-together","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/216621\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens to Your Immunity When You Take Turmeric and Vitamin D Together"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways<br \/>\nVitamin D supports immune cells but supplements might not prevent all infections.\u00a0\u00a0Turmeric may help reduce inflammation but doesn&#8217;t reliably boost immunity.\u00a0\u00a0There is not enough evidence to support taking vitamin D and turmeric together to prevent infections. <\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_2-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> With cold and flu season in full swing, many people are reaching for supplements to support their immunity. Turmeric and vitamin D are two of the most popular, with some products even containing a combination of the two.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_4-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Some early studies suggest these two supplements may help in combination, but more research is needed to know for sure.\n<\/p>\n<p>  Vitamin D Helps Support Immune Cells  <\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_7-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Vitamin D plays a clear role in <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link-ai\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/how-to-boost-immune-system-8763985\" link-destination-recommendation-ai=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">immune function<\/a>, and supplementation may modestly reduce the risk of acute respiratory infections in some people, said \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/health.usf.edu\/publichealth\/overviewcoph\/faculty\/lywright\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lauri Wright, PhD, RDN<\/a>, director of nutrition programs and an associate professor at USF College of Public Health.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_9-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> &#8220;This is especially true when Vitamin D is taken regularly and for individuals who start out deficient,&#8221; Wright added.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_11-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Vitamin D helps control how certain genes work that guide the growth and activity of immune cells, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonmethodist.org\/doctor\/ashley-drews\/\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ashley Drews, MD<\/a>, an associate professor at the Center for Infectious Diseases at Houston Methodist Research Institute.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_13-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> &#8220;<a class=\"recommendation-inline-link-ai\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/vitamin-d-deficiency-2224209\" link-destination-recommendation-ai=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Vitamin D deficiency<\/a> has been associated with several infections, most notably respiratory tract infections, so logically one would hope that supplementation of vitamin D would reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections,&#8221; Drews told Verywell.\u00a0&#8220;Unfortunately, data from studies investigating the effect of <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link-ai\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/too-much-vitamin-d-8401436\" link-destination-recommendation-ai=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">high-dose vitamin D supplementation<\/a> on infections have been inconclusive.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_15-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> One recent meta-analysis of 17 randomized trials showed no significant effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection.\n<\/p>\n<p>  Turmeric Helps Reduce Inflammation  <\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_20-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Turmeric has both <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link-ai\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/turmeric-vs-curcumin-11805244\" link-destination-recommendation-ai=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties<\/a>, but evidence that it prevents common infections or reliably \u201cboosts\u201d immunity in generally healthy people is limited, Wright explained.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_22-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Much of the research focuses on <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link-ai\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/inflammatory-biomarkers-5205270\" link-destination-recommendation-ai=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">inflammation markers<\/a> or specific clinical situations.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_24-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> For turmeric, the best evidence shows it mainly helps with inflammation, not with preventing infections, Wright said.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_26-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> &#8220;There are randomized trials and reviews in specific settings, including COVID-19 adjunct studies, but that doesn\u2019t automatically translate to fewer colds or a stronger immune system in everyday life.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<p>  Combining the Two May Have Extra Benefits  <\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_31-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> When it comes to <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link-ai\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/supplements-to-take-with-turmeric-11805617\" link-destination-recommendation-ai=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">combining turmeric and vitamin D<\/a>, one trial combined turmeric root with vitamins C and D in elite athletes and reported that participants experienced fewer self-reported respiratory and GI symptoms.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_33-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> &#8220;Interesting, but it\u2019s a niche population and includes multiple nutrients, so it can\u2019t prove a turmeric\u2013vitamin D combo effect for the general public,&#8221; Wright said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_35-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> One rodent study, which looked at using turmeric and vitamin D in mice infected with Salmonella typhi, suggested that the combination could have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_37-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> However, more research is needed before doctors can recommend taking vitamin D and turmeric together to prevent infections.\n<\/p>\n<p>  How Much Should You Get a Day?  <\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_40-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> For vitamin D, the main risk is from <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link-ai\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/side-effects-of-vitamin-d-11745993\" link-destination-recommendation-ai=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">excess supplementation<\/a> which can cause hypercalcemia and kidney problems, Wright said.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_42-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> The <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link-ai\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/new-guidelines-supplemental-vitamin-d-8666125\" link-destination-recommendation-ai=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">recommended daily allowances for Vitamin D<\/a> is 600 IU per day for ages 1\u201370 and 800 IU\/day for individuals over 70.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_44-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> For turmeric, she said food use is generally safe, but issues can arise with concentrated supplements.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_46-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Potential concerns include increased bleeding risk, worsening GERD, and interactions with certain medications. If someone has kidney stone history, Wright said <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link-ai\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/10-serious-side-effects-of-turmeric-8703958\" link-destination-recommendation-ai=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">high-dose turmeric<\/a> may not be a great idea due to oxalate content in some supplements.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_48-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> There is no recommended daily allowance for turmeric. Wright said that in supplement studies, doses commonly range from 500 to 1,000 mg per day, but there is no proven level for immune boosting.<\/p>\n<p>Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our <a href=\"http:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/verywell-editorial-process-4777042\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">editorial process<\/a> to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.<\/p>\n<p>Jeyakumar A, Bhalekar P, Shambharkar P. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.hnm.2024.200272\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Effect of vitamin D supplementation on the immune response to respiratory tract infections and inflammatory conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis<\/a>.\u00a0Human Nutrition &amp; Metabolism. 2024;37:200272. doi:10.1016\/j.hnm.2024.200272<\/p>\n<p>Wang L, Yu Y, Liu K, Yu X, Li Y. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12887-025-06361-6\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The role of vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory infections in pediatric populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials<\/a>.\u00a0BMC Pediatr. 2025;25(1):985. doi:10.1186\/s12887-025-06361-6<\/p>\n<p>Peng Y, Ao M, Dong B, et al. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2147\/DDDT.S327378\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin in the inflammatory diseases: status, limitations and countermeasures<\/a>.\u00a0DDDT. 2021;Volume 15:4503-4525. doi:10.2147\/DDDT.S327378<\/p>\n<p>Clayton DJ, Burbeary R, Parker C, et al. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/nu16020243\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Combined turmeric, vitamin c, and vitamin d ready-to-drink supplements reduce upper respiratory illness symptoms and gastrointestinal discomfort in elite male football players<\/a>.\u00a0Nutrients. 2024;16(2):243. doi:10.3390\/nu16020243<\/p>\n<p>Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Indonesia, Febriza A, Centre for Biomedical Research, Research Organization for Health, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Cibinong Science Centre, West Java, Indonesia, Idrus HH, Centre for Biomedical Research, Research Organization for Health, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Cibinong Science Centre, West Java, Indonesia. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.21315\/mjms2024.31.5.10\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Curcumin and vitamin d reduce hmgb-1 mrna levels in mice infected with salmonella typhi<\/a>.\u00a0MJMS. 2024;31(5):143-150. doi:10.21315\/mjms2024.31.5.10<\/p>\n<p>Office of dietary supplements &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/VitaminD-HealthProfessional\/\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">vitamin d<\/a>. Accessed December 16, 2025. https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/VitaminD-HealthProfessional\/<\/p>\n<p>Daily JW, Yang M, Park S. E<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1089\/jmf.2016.3705\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">fficacy of turmeric extracts and curcumin for alleviating the symptoms of joint arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials<\/a>.\u00a0Journal of Medicinal Food. 2016;19(8):717-729. doi:10.1089\/jmf.2016.3705<\/p>\n<p><img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FE3F9AD2-9085-40B8-8E8E-AF95656B0B37-048bcc651b0f4063b40038d3df45e712.jpeg\" width=\"144\" height=\"144\" alt=\"Mira Miller bio\" class=\"lazyload author-bio__image mntl-image universal-image__image\" data-expand=\"300\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"author-bio__bio-text\">\nBy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellhealth.com\/mira-miller-5202407\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mira Miller<\/a><br \/>\n<br \/>Miller is a journalist specializing in mental health, women&#8217;s health, and culture. Her work is published in outlets ranging from Vice to Healthnews.\n<\/p>\n<p>Thanks for your feedback!<\/p>\n<p>What is your feedback?<\/p>\n<p> Helpful<\/p>\n<p> Report an Error<\/p>\n<p> Other<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Key Takeaways Vitamin D supports immune cells but supplements might not prevent all infections.\u00a0\u00a0Turmeric may help reduce inflammation&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":216622,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[134,111,139,556,69],"class_list":{"0":"post-216621","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nutrition","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-new-zealand","10":"tag-newzealand","11":"tag-nutrition","12":"tag-nz"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=216621"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216621\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/216622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=216621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=216621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=216621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}