Turmeric Is A Known Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Carcinogenic Agent
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Turmeric Is A Known Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Carcinogenic Agent The
Highest Quality Natural Health Products And |
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| Curcumin
Is the Potent Extract of Turmeric
Turmeric has been used for thousands of years in Asian Indian cookery and is an ingredient in curry powder. Also it is what gives the golden glow to store-bought, hot-dog-stand mustard. Ground from dried curcumin, a rhizome of the ginger family, turmeric is not peppery -- it is mild-tasting and inexpensive. You'll find it in the spice section of most supermarkets and grocery stores. Fresh root, which goes well in snacks and main meals, is a bit more exotic. Many Asian Indian markets and some Chinese grocery stores carry it. Turmeric powder in capsules is available from a number of herbal suppliers. Why use turmeric in your daily diet? Turmeric is a known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic agent. As a spice, the powder doesn't add much flavor but it's much more than a food coloring. Of course, you can use it just to make pallid foods appetizing. Cauliflower, white fish and vegetable soups, brightened with turmeric, jump out of the pan. All the better, this stuff is good for you. Several studies indicate that curcumin slows the development and growth of a number of types of cancer including prostate cancer. Turmeric may also slow the rate at which hormone-responsive prostate cancer becomes resistant to hormonal therapy. Not only that but some men swear by fresh turmeric as a remedy to reduce gynecomastia (breast enlargement), a bothersome side effect of androgen-blocking drugs for prostate cancer. See gynecomastia section below. The University of Leicester is investigating tumor suppressing dietary agents including the curry ingredient curcumin, the soy constituent genistein, and the vitamin A analogue 13-cis retinoic acid (Toxicol Lett 2000 Mar 15;112-113:499-505; Br J Clin Pharmacol 1998 Jan;45(1):1-12). In addition to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties, curcunin inhibits angiogenesis, i.e. formation of new blood vessels, which tumors use to nourish themselves as they spread (Mol Med 1998 Jun;4(6):376-83). Simply as a spice and natural food-coloring, turmeric may inhibit stomach and colon cancer. In India, turmeric powder and curcumin root are used in medicines as well as in cooking. Turmeric is used in ointments and poultices to treat sprains and inflammation. As a home remedy for sore muscles and "jock pull," a plaster of turmeric powder mixed with water stains skin and clothes but is said to be effective (Agents Actions 1982 Oct;12(4):508-15.) As an anti-inflammatory, turmeric triggers heat-shock stress response (see Online Medical Dictionary entries for heat-shock). Heat shock proteins stimulate the immune system. "The mechanism of the stimulation by curcumin of the stress responses," Japanese researchers say (Cell Stress Chaperones 1998 Sep;3(3):152-60), "might be similar to that of salicylate [aspirin and similar substances], indomethacin and nordihydroguaiaretic acid [an anti-oxidant that interferes with arachidonic acid metabolism]." Article Continued In Next Column Your Health Freedom May Be At Risk! Check Our CODEX/Activism Section | Main Articles Page | |
Asians use fresh and powdered turmeric as part of a highly varied, complex diet. This is quite different from lab experiments on mice. Almost anything works in mice, so they say. Some of the latest results, which are mixed, are these: 1. On tumor cells in a lab dish, curcumin prevents or slows prostate and lung cancer. But dietary consumption of turmeric, researchers report, so far shows no effect on those organs and failed to inhibit tobacco-induced tumors (Cancer Lett 1999 Apr 1;137(2):123-30). 2. Recent studies have found that curcumin has a dose-dependent chemopreventive effect in rats during promotion/progression stages of colon cancer (Cancer Res 1999 Feb 1;59(3):597-601). It has similar preventive effects against skin cancer, oral cancer and forestomach and and other intestinal tumors (J Surg Res 2000 Apr;89(2):169-75). 3. According to Tufts researchers, "a mixture of curcumin and isoflavonoids is the most potent inhibitor against the growth of human breast tumor cells. These data suggest that combinations of natural plant compounds may have preventive and therapeutic applications against the growth of breast tumors induced by environmental estrogens" (Environ Health Perspect 1998 Dec;106(12):807-12) 4. Turmeric compares with soy, licorice, red clover, and thyme in binding to progestrone and estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells (Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1998 Mar;217(3):369-78). 4. Kentucky researchers found that curcumin "inhibited proliferation of a variety of B lymphoma cells" (Clin Immunol 1999 Nov;93(2):152-61). 5. Curcumin may or may not protect against cellular damage from radiation, perhaps depending on dose. It appears to protect against damage to certain organs brought about by some chemotherapy agents. In hamsters it protects the kidneys from Adriamycin (Br J Pharmacol 2000 Jan;129(2):231-4). If you are taking radiation or chemotherapy, discuss your diet and use of any antioxidants with your oncologist. 6. Typical dietary amounts of turmeric have an anti-oxidant effect that protects rats from cataracts (Toxicol Lett 2000 Jun 5;115(3):195-204). 7. Curcumin protects
rats from liver-damage caused by toxins (J Pharm Pharmacol 2000 Apr;52(4):437-40;
Carcinogenesis 2000 Feb;21(2):331-5) Curcumin Reduces Breast Enlargment in Men: Gynecomastia is enlargement of a man's breasts, marked by firm glandular tissue. It can be painful. Many men taking the antiandrogens like flutamide (Eulexin) or Casodex experience it. It can also occur with use of finasteride (Proscar) for BPH (benign growth of the prostate). Your Health Freedom May Be At Risk! Check Our CODEX/Activism Section | Main Articles Page | |
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