Just when I thought we had a handle on turmeric’s healing abilities along comes another study showing that this remarkable spice hasn’t revealed all of its healing secrets yet after all.
The last couple of years have been chock full of stories singing the praises of the savory South Asian and Middle Eastern spice known as turmeric and it’s main component curcumin. It’s known to be a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and has already been shown to have some potent anti-cancer abilities.
But now a group of researchers from UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center says curcumin could be a lifesaver for those with head or neck cancers. The brightly colored yellow extract can be used in the mouths of patients with malignancies to suppress the growth of cancer cells.
And, according to the UCLA scientists, the curcumin not only inhibits the cancer-cell growth it also literally goes to work on the patient’s saliva reducing the amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines which help to feed the cancer cells.
The researchers had 21 volunteers with head and neck cancers give saliva samples both before and after chewing two 500 mg curcumin tablets. Then one hour later a third sample of saliva was taken.
Proteins were extracted from the samples…and from 18 additional control samples…and the activity of a cancer-promoting enzyme called IKKβ was measured. The samples were then trundled off to an independent lab that quickly confirmed from the blind samples what the scientists had already found; the curcumin had indeed significantly inhibited the cancer promoting cytokines as well as the cell signaling pathway in the saliva of the patients who chewed the tablets.
The last couple of years have been chock full of stories singing the praises of the savory South Asian and Middle Eastern spice known as turmeric and it’s main component curcumin. It’s known to be a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and has already been shown to have some potent anti-cancer abilities.
But now a group of researchers from UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center says curcumin could be a lifesaver for those with head or neck cancers. The brightly colored yellow extract can be used in the mouths of patients with malignancies to suppress the growth of cancer cells.
And, according to the UCLA scientists, the curcumin not only inhibits the cancer-cell growth it also literally goes to work on the patient’s saliva reducing the amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines which help to feed the cancer cells.
The researchers had 21 volunteers with head and neck cancers give saliva samples both before and after chewing two 500 mg curcumin tablets. Then one hour later a third sample of saliva was taken.
Proteins were extracted from the samples…and from 18 additional control samples…and the activity of a cancer-promoting enzyme called IKKβ was measured. The samples were then trundled off to an independent lab that quickly confirmed from the blind samples what the scientists had already found; the curcumin had indeed significantly inhibited the cancer promoting cytokines as well as the cell signaling pathway in the saliva of the patients who chewed the tablets.
Meaning that the curcumin was kicking the cancer’s butt in two different and important ways, making it a viable additional treatment option for those suffering with head and neck cancers as well as a possible preventive measure for anyone who is at high risk for the cancers like a smoker.
To get the benefit of curcumin’s double-punch of cancer protection you can certainly start sprinkling more delicious turmeric into your favorite dishes. However, to reach the 1000 mg level that was tested in this study the UCLA team warns that you will likely need to take a supplement.
While finding a chewable curcumin supplement might be challenging there are some curcumin/tumeric powder supplements that could fit the bill. Check online or with a local retailer of vitamins and supplements. Just be warned, however, that the yellow spice can cause stains so be careful when using it.
By Alice Wessendorf on 09/23/2011
http://www.healthiertalk.com/common-spice-targets-cancer-cells-two-powerful-ways-4721
Related articles of interest:
Indian Super Spices Combat Cancer, Arthritis, and Alzheimer’s
Turmeric: Nature’s Powerful Anti-Inflammatory
Curcumin, Garlic and Green Tea Protect the Brain and Heart
Beating Cancer on a Shoestring Budget
References:
“Curcumin Treatment Suppresses IKKβ Kinase Activity of Salivary Cells of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Pilot Study,” Clin Cancer Res, September 15, 2011 17; 5953
