Can Turmeric Prevent Cancer?

12 Oct 2018


Turmeric is also known as Indian saffron, jiang huang, haridra and haldi. It is a spice grown in many Asian countries. It belongs to the ginger family and is a major ingredient of curry powder.

The main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin or diferuloyl methane, which laboratory studies have shown does have anticancer effects on cancer cells.

A phase I clinical trial looked at giving curcumin to 25 patients with precancerous changes in different organs. This study seemed to show that curcumin could stop the precancerous changes becoming cancer.

Research has also shown that there are low rates of certain types of cancer in countries where people eat curcumin at levels of about 100mg to 200mg a day over long periods of time.

A scientific paper published in Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention states that dietary turmeric reduces the risk of cancer. Now that is powerful statement who has a genetic history of developing cancer.

Curcuminoids anti-viral property and ability to prevent activation of cancer-causing genes help terminate HPV infection in order to prevent cervical in women.

This is also evidenced by a study where 12 weeks oral supplementation with turmeric extract prevented and reversed development of cervical cancer in women. Curcumin is also identified as a potential chemopreventive agent in breast and colon cancer.

Besides, several laboratory studies on cancer cells have shown that curcumin does have anticancer effects. It seems to be able to kill cancer cells and prevent more from growing. It has the best effects on breast cancer, bowel cancer, stomach cancer and skin cancer cells.

A study published in August 2018 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, effectively kills certain cancer cells.

While research continues on the role turmeric plays in treating cancer, there may be other health benefits to ingesting the spice.

You may have it in your spice rack or enjoy it in South Asian meals. Turmeric is derived from a plant similar to ginger and has long been used for medicinal purposes.

According to Anya Guy, a Mayo Clinic dietitian. Turmeric has natural anti-inflammatory compounds called curcuminoids, and these curcuminoids have been associated with a positive effect on various diseases.

Those diseases include type 2 diabetes, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer.

Although curcumin or turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, if you are diagnosed with a condition such as cancer or diabetes, speak to your healthcare provider before taking the supplement,” she says.

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