The Heath Benefits of Turmeric Realized

The western world is beginning to take notice of the health benefits of Turmeric, which have been known to the east for centuries. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine for a wide variety of purposes. Western medicine has been studying the use of Turmeric, and its active ingredient and antioxidant, Curcumin, for its anti-inflammatory effects, arthritis, Alzheimer's, and uses in treating cancer. Let's look at some of the information that has been made available regarding Curcumin and cancer.

In his groundbreaking book, Anti-Cancer, David Servan-Schreiber writes that inflammation is a key ingredient in the formation of most disease, including cancer. Preventing inflammation is crucial to inhibiting the "terrain" that is conducive to the growth of cancerous cells. The concept of the body as "terrain" that can be either conducive or prohibitive to cancerous cells is a major component of Servan-Schreiber's book. (This book is truly unique, is highly recommended, and can function as a fantastic gift or conversation starter with loved ones who may not grasp the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.) To summarize very briefly, the body can be thought of as "terrain" that can be maintained to be unsuitable for cancers and other diseases through proper diet / exercise, reducing stress, and removing pollutants. The proper diet is especially crucial to creating the right "terrain."

Curcumin has been shown to go beyond simply making the terrain in the body unsuitable for cancerous cells. The American Cancer Society states that, "Curcumin can kill cancer cells in laboratory dishes and also reduces growth of surviving cells. Curcumin also has been found to reduce development of several forms of cancer in laboratory animals and to shrink animal tumors" (1). According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, "Curcumin induces apoptosis (cell death) in human colon cancer, promyelocytic leukemia cells, and inhibits growth of uterine leiomyosarcoma cells. Curcumin also potentiated gemcitabine action in both in vitro and in vivo studies of pancreatic cancer. Oral administration is well tolerated, but bioavailability is relatively low. Following absorption, curcuminoids are rapidly metabolized. But a recent study in rats shows that bioavailability of curcumin can be increased when coadministered with piperine" (2). The importance of black pepper in Curcumin absorption is frequently overlooked by most people and health professionals alike.

It is well documented that the use of radiation and chemotherapy produces significant negative side effects. Curcumin is believed to cause minimal side effects although the true study of Curcumin's affects on cancers is still in its infancy. Obviously, any person who is currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation should speak with their physician regarding any use of Curcumin or other herbal treatments to ensure that there are no interactions with their existing treatment, but Curcumin is showing positive results in recent studies.