You may be interested in taking turmeric for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. And you’d be making a smart choice. This golden spice has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and modern research continues to confirm its benefits.
Turmeric (and its active ingredient curcumin) supports nearly every organ in the body, from your brain to your skin. Studies even suggest that it turns back the clock on aging [1].
However, there is a potential downside. Turmeric supplements may increase the risk of kidney stones in some people. This happens because turmeric contains oxalates, a type of natural compound found in plant-based foods.
Oxalates can bind with calcium in the kidneys and form hard crystals. Over time, these crystals can grow into kidney stones.
Not everyone is at equal risk of developing kidney stones from turmeric and oxalates. But just to be safe, many opt for an oxalate-free curcumin supplement like Manna Liposomal Curcumin. Curcumin provides all of the same health benefits as turmeric, just without the oxalates.
Below, you’ll learn more about the connection between turmeric and oxalates—and the risks they pose. We’ll also explore oxalate-free curcumin as a safer alternative.
What Are Oxalates?
Oxalates (also known as oxalic acid) are natural compounds found in many plants. In nature, they help plants defend themselves from pests. But in the human body, oxalates can have some undesirable effects.
When you eat foods with oxalates (such as turmeric), your body tries to flush them out through your urine. But oxalates can bind with calcium in your kidneys to form calcium oxalate crystals. If those crystals grow, they can become kidney stones.
Consuming too many oxalates can affect other parts of your body too. In people with sensitive digestive systems—especially those with leaky gut or poor gut lining—oxalates can pass into the bloodstream and trigger inflammation.
Some research suggests this may lead to fatigue, joint pain, brain fog and more in people who don’t tolerate oxalates well [2].
While eating small amounts of oxalate-rich foods isn’t a problem for most people, getting too much can lead to trouble. Taking a turmeric supplement might push your oxalate levels past safe limits.
Why Most Turmeric Products Contain Oxalates
Oxalates occur naturally in most vegetables, and turmeric is a vegetable (a root, to be precise).
Most turmeric supplements are made by grinding raw turmeric root into a fine powder. This powder is then packed into capsules. This process doesn’t remove any of the plant’s natural compounds, such as oxalates. While this is beneficial for those who want pure, unaltered turmeric, it can cause problems for people sensitive to oxalates.
Turmeric contains quite high levels of oxalates—about 10 mg per teaspoon. This may not seem like a problem, as most people can tolerate around 200-300 mg per day. But sensitive people may have issues after consuming just 50-100 mg per day.
Remember that turmeric isn’t the only source of oxalates. Most other vegetables contain them too. So, if you have a salad, potatoes, and a turmeric supplement in a single day, you may easily surpass 200 mg of oxalates. Over time, this may increase your risk of kidney stones.
How to Get Turmeric without Oxalates
The real power of turmeric comes from curcumin, its active compound. Curcumin is what gives turmeric its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects—not the rest of the root.
If you want the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric but don’t want to worry about oxalates, take a pure curcumin supplement that offers the benefits of turmeric without the risks.
Curcumin can be extracted and purified on its own, without the rest of the turmeric root. That means no fiber, no bitter taste and no oxalates.
Curcumin isn’t just a safer alternative to turmeric. It’s actually more effective as a supplement. Turmeric only contains about 2-5% curcumin. 95% of what you get when you take turmeric is other plant compounds. Most of these have no proven benefit, and others (like oxalates) pose health risks.
Curcumin supplements contain concentrated curcumin. So, you get more anti-inflammatory power per dose with none of the unnecessary plant matter and oxalates that may cause harm.
Meet Manna Liposomal Curcumin
Manna Liposomal Curcumin is a purified, oxalate-free supplement made by scientists and nutritionists. Manna’s supplement does not contain turmeric—only pure curcumin. So, you don’t have to worry about oxalates, impurities, or additives.
Here’s how Manna’s curcumin stands out:
- Standardized curcumin extract: Manna uses a concentrated form of curcumin in its formula—not raw turmeric. This means you get consistent, effective doses every time. When you take turmeric, you don’t know how much (or little) curcumin you’re actually getting.
- Oxalate-free formula: Because Manna’s formula is not made from raw turmeric root, it contains zero oxalates. It has no known risk of contributing to kidney stones.
- Pure and potent: Manna’s science-backed formula was designed for maximum benefit with no unnecessary fillers or low-grade ingredients. Our scientists developed Manna Liposomal Curcumin to give your body exactly what it needs and nothing it doesn’t.
- Liposomal delivery: Our unique delivery method wraps microscopic curcumin particles in fatty bubbles called liposomes. They protect the curcumin as it passes through your digestive system and help it absorb directly into your bloodstream. Thanks to liposomes, your body can absorb up to 10 times more curcumin than standard capsules or powders.
Manna Liposomal Curcumin is formulated for high bioavailability and maximum impact. It’s also easy on your belly, which is not the case with many other curcumin supplements.
With Manna, you get pure, oxalate-free curcumin that your body can actually use.
Clean, Powerful and Thoughtfully Formulated
If you’re taking turmeric for its health benefits, you’re on the right track. However, you may also be exposing yourself to the hidden risks of turmeric and oxalates, such as kidney stones, inflammation and gut issues.
There’s no reason not to upgrade to an oxalate-free curcumin supplement. Curcumin is kinder to your body and much more effective than turmeric. It concentrates everything good about turmeric and leaves out the risky stuff.
Manna Liposomal Curcumin takes it a step further with its liposomal formula. Our technology helps you absorb up to 10 times more curcumin per dose. This is a big deal because standard curcumin is among the most difficult nutrients to absorb [3].
Don’t risk your health and waste your money on supplements that only contain 2% of what you need. Try Manna Liposomal Curcumin and see the difference that a science-backed formula can make.
FAQ
Turmeric is a root-based vegetable, and like many other plants, it naturally contains oxalates. These compounds can bind with calcium in your kidneys and form crystals—sometimes leading to kidney stones in sensitive individuals. While moderate intake isn’t harmful for most, concentrated turmeric supplements may increase the risk of kidney stone formation in people predisposed to oxalate buildup.
If you’ve had kidney stones in the past—especially calcium oxalate stones—or have conditions like leaky gut, poor digestion, or unexplained inflammation, you may be more sensitive to oxalates. Symptoms of oxalate sensitivity can include fatigue, joint pain, or brain fog. If you’re unsure, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider before taking turmeric supplements.
Turmeric is the whole root, while curcumin is its active compound—the part responsible for most of turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Turmeric root contains only 2–5% curcumin. Curcumin supplements isolate and concentrate this powerful compound, offering a more effective and targeted option—especially for those looking to avoid oxalates.
No, not all turmeric-related supplements contain oxalates. Most traditional turmeric supplements made from ground turmeric root do contain oxalates, since they include the full plant material. However, supplements that use purified curcuminoids—the active compounds in turmeric—typically do not contain oxalates. Manna Liposomal Curcumin, for example, is made from standardized curcuminoids, not raw turmeric, so it delivers all the benefits of turmeric without the risk of oxalate-related kidney stones.
Manna Liposomal Curcumin contains only standardized curcumin, with no turmeric root and zero oxalates. It also uses a liposomal delivery system, which wraps curcumin in tiny fat bubbles to enhance absorption. This makes it up to 10 times more bioavailable than standard powders or capsules, giving you more benefits with every dose.
Yes—by choosing an oxalate-free curcumin supplement like Manna Liposomal Curcumin. You’ll still get the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging benefits of turmeric without the unwanted side effects. It’s a clean, potent, and safe alternative for daily wellness support.
Sources:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6429134/
- https://www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk/articles/oxalates-a-possible-cause-of-pain-and-illness
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831322008353
