How Turmeric Can Help Fight Cancer

Recent research has shed light on turmeric’s potential role in cancer prevention and treatment, highlighting its active compound, curcumin, the science behind turmeric’s cancer-fighting properties. We will explore how it can be incorporated into a holistic approach to help fight cancer. Research evidence suggests that turmeric has more than 300 bio-active compounds; however most studies have assessed the effect of only one ingredient curcumin. Through its various potential compounds i.e. Curcuminoids (polyphenols) turmeric can help fight cancer, provides many therapeutic benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-angiogenesis, anti-mutagenic and immune-stimulant, to promote health and prevent various diseases.

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a rhizome from ginger family with warm peppery taste and a tangy fragrance. It is rich in natural pigment “curcumin” that gives it the yellow-orange color. For most Americans, the yellow color of mustard is the most common exposure to turmeric. This spice is the main ingredient in curry powder and used as a food flavoring and coloring agent. Besides being a cooking staple in Asia, this potent healing spice is used in Indian Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a natural cleanser and herbal remedy to treat various ailments i.e. skin problems, bruises, inflammation, toothache, infection, hemorrhage, menstrual discomforts, gastrointestinal disorders, liver problems, respiratory troubles, muscle sprains, joint pains and wound healing.

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The Science Behind Turmeric’s Cancer-Fighting Properties

Turmeric’s potential as an anti-cancer agent lies in its rich concentration of curcumin, a polyphenolic compound with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in various types of cancer, including breast, lung, and colon cancer.

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One of the primary mechanisms through which curcumin exerts its anti-cancer effects is by targeting multiple signaling pathways involved in cancer development, such as the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) pathway, which regulates inflammation and cell survival. Curcumin has been found to suppress the activation of NF-kB, thereby reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.

Additionally, curcumin has been shown to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation therapy while protecting healthy cells from damage. This synergistic effect makes it a promising adjuvant therapy for cancer treatment.

Turmeric’s Role in Cancer Prevention

While the evidence for turmeric’s role as an adjuvant in cancer treatment is promising, its potential as a cancer-preventive agent is equally compelling. Curcumin has been found to inhibit the formation of tumors by interfering with the process of angiogenesis (the development of new blood vessels) and preventing the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body.

Research has also shown that curcumin can help prevent the development of precancerous lesions, particularly in the colon and rectum. A study published in the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology found that curcumin supplementation reduced the number of precancerous polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, a genetic condition that increases the risk of colorectal cancer.

Turmeric Can Block Cancer Cell Growth

The best thing about turmeric is that it shows potent universal anti-cancer activity against all types of cancer by modulating genetic activity and interfering with the cellular signalling aspects of various molecular pathways. Turmeric actually blocks cancer cell growth at every stage of cancer development (initiation, promotion and metastasis) through following mechanisms:

1. Its anti-inflammatory action neutralizes harmful free radicals to prevent cell damage and chronic inflammation, the well-known risk factors to cancer.
2. Its anti-angiogenesis activities inhibit blood supply required for cancer cell growth.
3. It modulates gene activity and triggers formation of tumour suppressor gene.
4. It halts proliferation (growth and spread) of tumour cells i.e. metastasis.
5. It induces apoptosis (cellular death) to eliminate mutated cancer cells.
6. It prevents re-growth of cancer stem cells, the root cause of malignancy.

Besides scavenging highly reactive free radicals, which cause oxidative stress and cellular damage, powerful antioxidants in turmeric control chronic systemic inflammation, which leads to various metabolic disorders (diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, heart disease, arthritis) and an increased risk of cancer:

• It regulates blood sugar levels and reverses insulin resistance, which helps in reducing inflammation caused by hyper-glycemia.
• It improves leptin sensitivity, which reduces chances of inflammation caused by obesity related chronic metabolic diseases. It also helps in keeping liver healthy and promotes production of bile, which assists in better digestion of fat and healthy weight management.
• Its natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties support faster wound healing and reduce chances of chronic inflammation.
• Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help in preventing and removing accumulated plaque in the arteries, which increases blood and oxygen supply throughout the body. Low cellular oxygenation levels are an underlying cause of cancer.
• It inhibits growth of pathogenic bacteria (Helicobacter pylori) in the stomach and human papilloma virus (HPV) in the uterine lining, which are responsible for stomach and cervical cancers, respectively.
• It boosts production of “the mother of all antioxidants” i.e. glutathione in the body, which is essential for optimal health and immunity.

Turmeric Has Many Anti Cancer Properties

Several studies have found that people who eat this amazing spice in their regular diet are at significantly lower risk of cancer. Other studies confirm these findings and demonstrate how turmeric can help fight cancer and that turmeric shows strong anti-cancer potential by effectively stopping the precancerous changes in different organs to become cancer; eliminating cancer cells; stopping proliferation of tumor cells; and preventing their re-growth. Clinical studies also prove that turmeric can inhibit growth of cancer cells in various organs: bone, brain, breast, kidney, liver, pancreas, stomach, bladder, colon, lung, prostate, cervix, ovaries and blood.

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Turmeric is safe, as curcumin effectively differentiates between cancer cells and normal cells and has no side effects on healthy cells, while it targets specific cancer cells for apoptosis. Additional research shows that it can be used as a complementary therapy with conventional cancer treatment, as it works synergistically with chemotherapy drugs and enhances the elimination of cancer cells.

Healing Properties and How Turmeric Can Help Fight Cancer

These healing properties make turmeric a potent anti-cancer therapeutic agent, which you can add to your daily diet for cancer prevention. You can easily add turmeric as a spice in your salads, soups, sauces, curries, dressings, omelettes and tea or milk. However, research suggests consuming turmeric with certain foods will increase its absorbability, bio availability and maximize its benefits:

1. Curcumin, the bio active ingredient in turmeric is a fat soluble compound, so taking turmeric with healthy fat (avocado) or mixing it with oils (olive or coconut) helps in better absorption.
2. Combining onions (quercitin) and turmeric (curcumin) helps in reducing precancerous lesions.
3. Taken together, turmeric (curcumin) and cruciferous vegetables (phenethyl isothiocyanates) can reduce cancer growth and metastasis.
4. Adding a little black pepper (piperine) significantly increases absorption of turmeric and curcumin’s potency.
5. Turmeric also shows synergistic activities against cancer with resveratrol found in red wine or red grape extracts and Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in green tea.

Cancer Care and How Turmeric Can Help Fight Cancer

Here are some ways to incorporate turmeric into your cancer care plan:

Consume turmeric as a spice

Add turmeric to your cooking to reap its potential benefits. You can sprinkle it on roasted vegetables, add it to soups and stews, or use it to make a soothing turmeric latte.

Take turmeric supplements

Turmeric supplements can be taken as powder, capsule or tablet, with safe doses up to 5000 mg (5 grams) per day

Use turmeric topically

Turmeric has been used in traditional medicine to treat skin conditions, including skin cancer. You can make a turmeric paste by mixing turmeric powder with honey or coconut oil and applying it to the affected area.

In a recent study, researchers found that putting just a teaspoon of turmeric into your daily meals can produce “highly significant changes” to a gene, which is linked to the risk of cancer, as well as with allergies such as asthma and eczema, and anxiety and depression. The systemic benefits of foods and supplements with turmeric have been extensively studied

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Also, to get clinical results and therapeutic benefits you should aim to consume about 2 grams of good quality, organic, bio-available curcumin extract 4 times per day with healthy oils. You can also increase absorption of turmeric extract by putting it in boiling water and heating it further for another 10 minutes before consuming.

How Turmeric Can Help Fight Cancer

Turmeric’s potential as a natural ally in the fight against cancer is supported by a growing body of scientific evidence. Its active compound curcumin, has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, induce apoptosis, and enhance the effectiveness of conventional cancer treatments. While more research is needed to fully understand its role in prevention and treatment, incorporating turmeric into a holistic approach to cancer care may offer valuable benefits. On a risk to benefit to cost analysis, it doesn’t get any better than turmeric.