Spice up your life and prevent cancer
(and other diseases as well)
By Robert Avery MD, FACP
In India, the rates of heart disease, Alzheimer’s
disease and cancer are much lower than the United States.
It is thought that diet accounts for the differences. One
particular yellow spice used in India is gaining a lot of
attention from medical researchers.
Turmeric (curcumin) is the Asian spice that turns curry
yellow. It is also added to yellow mustard to make it, well
yellow. The turmeric plant is a relative of ginger and its
medicinal qualities have been known for years. The German
Commission E, an authoritative guide to herbal medicines,
lists turmeric as effective for stomach (dyspeptic) conditions.
Its actions which include increased bile flow and anti-inflammatory
actions are well documented in experiments.
Turmeric prevents cystic fibrosis and Alzheimer’s
disease in mice but some of the most impressive data involves
cancer. Research at the University of Alabama demonstrated
decreased production of the MDM2 cancer protein which then
caused prostate cancer cells to die. More studies have demonstrated
an impressive array of inhibitory effects on cancer cells
at all three phases of carcinogenesis; induction, growth
and metastasis (eCAM 2007;4:181). Not only can it prevent
cancer formation but it also has activity to decrease cancer
cell growth and prevent spread of cancer cells. The data
are so impressive there are 7 clinical trials in humans
studying the effect of turmeric on cystic fibrosis, chronic
psoriasis, colon cancer and pancreatic cancer according
to the National Institutes of Health.
So add a little exotic turmeric spice to your life and
help prevent disease. Good health never tasted so good.
Robert Avery MD, FACP is a practicing oncologist in St. Louis.
He is owner of Citrine Sun, an online site dedicated to helping
cancer patients through chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
A free newsletter is available at www.citrinesun.com or
AskDrAvery@citrinesun.com
