Growing research into botanicals are giving more evidence to show that a lot of plant and herbs are proving to be effective in helping combat cancer. One of these plants is the turmeric, which is a spice that originated from India. How can turmeric, an ingredient used to improve the taste in dishes, actually be beneficial to our health, and most especially in our fight against cancer?
The active ingredient contained in turmeric is curcumin, which is known for its many uses, and one of these uses is to prevent many types of cancer from developing. These types include breast, lung, liver, colon, stomach, pancreas, bladder, brain, bone, uterine, cervix, and even melanoma.
A quick summary of the potential actions of curcumin for cancer are-
- Curcumin inhibits the release of enzymes that cause cancer through reducing inflammation.
- Curcumin reduce the cancer cells of oxygen and fuel source by reducing the growth of blood vessels that supply the blood.
- Curcumin induces genes that suppress tumors.
- Curcumin can reduce cancer cells from spreading to other organs. This behaviour of cancer cells is called metastasis.
- Curcumin can also prevent the regrowth of cancer stem cells.
- Curcumin has been shown to be quite effective in non-Hodgkin lymphoma by interacting with the B-cell lymphoma cells.
- Curcumin can sensitise cancer cells, and therefore is advisable to patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Other abilities of curcumin:
- Curcumin decreases the cell damage caused by cholesterol and normalises blood clots. It also inhibits systemic inflammation which leads to thrombosis and heart attack as it becomes unstable and ruptures.
- Curcumin can help in weight loss and prevent obesity by suppressing the growth of adipose tissue—or in layman’s terms, fat.
- Curcumin has also been found to help prevent neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease, through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Curcumin can fight arthritis.
- Curcumin can regulate blood sugar, and improve the effects of medications taken against diabetes.
- Curcumin can help wounds heal faster.
For more information or if you have a question, get in touch.