| Researchers have found that it has outstanding | | | | and increasingly common diseases. |
| properties as an anti-cancer and anti-Alzheimers’s | | | | Although turmeric is probably most effective as a |
| agent. Brain Cancer Symptoms Mayo Moreover, a | | | | preventive agent against these illnesses, it may also |
| landmark survey of all foods in the USA (American | | | | help by improving cognitive problems and inhibiting |
| Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July 2006) found that | | | | further deterioration of existing disease. |
| turmeric is one of the top five antioxidant foods. This | | | | Curcumin works against neurodegenerative diseases |
| makes it one of the most valuable foods that we | | | | via the following mechanisms: |
| can use to fight cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, | | | | The accumulation of amyloid protein in the brain is an |
| aging and conditions associated with free radical | | | | important factor associated with Alzheimer’s |
| damage and oxidative stress. | | | | disease. Its deposition is associated with oxidative |
| Turmeric’s principal compound, curcumin, is one | | | | damage and inflammation in the brain tissues. |
| of the most researched of all the spice compounds. | | | | Curcumin is both a potent antioxidant and |
| Much of the research and interest in curcumin has | | | | anti-inflammatory agent and has been shown to |
| centered on its role in preventing and treating breast | | | | suppress oxidative damage, inflammation and the |
| cancer; but it has also been found to have protective | | | | deposition of damaging amyloid protein in the brain. It |
| effects against cancers of the bladder, stomach, | | | | is possible that it may actually disaggregate existing |
| uterus and cervix. When measured against other | | | | amyloid plaques and, in so doing, could possibly |
| phytochemicals, curcumin exhibits at least a ten times | | | | reverse the course of the disease. |
| greater chemoprotective potency against cancer | | | | Another cause of amyloid deposition in the brain is |
| than its closest rivals. | | | | probably due to the accumulation of certain metals, |
| Turmeric and cancer Curcumin is known to protect | | | | as higher concentrations of harmful metals have been |
| against cancer through the following mechanisms. | | | | found in the brains of AD sufferers that in non-AD |
| Assists the body’s natural tumor-suppressing | | | | individuals. Metal molecules that find their way into the |
| mechanisms. | | | | brain can both induce amyloid aggregation and are |
| Destroys cancer cells by stimulating apoptosis | | | | directly toxic to brain cells. Certain chelating agents |
| (programmed cell death) in these cells thereby | | | | have shown promise in the treatment of |
| terminating the immortality so typical of cancer cell | | | | Alzheimer’s disease and curcumin’s chelating |
| lines. | | | | properties enable it to assist the body in the removal |
| Halts tumor proliferation by inhibiting DNA synthesis in | | | | of potentially toxic metals from the brain and other |
| the cancer cells and disrupting their replication. | | | | tissues. |
| Inhibits the formation of the abnormal blood vessels | | | | The abnormal proliferation of the brain’s |
| that are essential for tumour growth. | | | | non-neuronal cells is another pathological process that |
| One of turmeric’s most promising uses is in the | | | | is associated with the development of both |
| prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Most | | | | Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. |
| breast cancers are hormone dependent, requiring | | | | Curcumin prevents the proliferation of these cells |
| estrogen as a growth stimulant. Tamoxifen, which is | | | | which, if allowed to continue growing, cause damage |
| one of the most used drugs in the treatment of | | | | to the brain’s neuronal tissue. |
| breast cancer, works against this hormone-mediated | | | | Lung Cancer Secrets Revealed Click here |
| process, interfering with estrogen’s tumor | | | | Inflammatory Diseases Much of turmeric’s |
| stimulating effects. Curcumin exhibits its | | | | anti-inflammatory potency can be attributed to |
| anti-estrongenic effects by blocking the | | | | curcumin which is both an effective COX-2 inhibitor |
| estrogen-dependent receptors on tumor cells, | | | | as well as a strong antioxidant. However, other |
| thereby interrupting the stimulatory effects of | | | | phytochemicals found in turmeric, in particular the |
| estrogen and slowing tumor growth. Curcumin may | | | | salicylates, also make a valuable contribution to its |
| be at least as effective as tamoxifen as an estrogen | | | | anti-inflammatory activities and thereby its preventive |
| antagonist, with none of the attendant side effects | | | | properties against arthritis, autoimmune disorders and |
| of this drug. | | | | the general health consequences of chronic systemic |
| Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are widely used, but | | | | inflammation and degenerative diseases. |
| imperfect treatments, for cancer. Not only do they | | | | Chelation Copper and iron are both essential nutrients |
| have serious, debilitating side effects, but tumor cells | | | | but if they accumulate in excessive quantities they |
| often develop resistance to these therapeutic | | | | can cause serious and sometimes irreversible |
| modalities. They also activate COX-2 enzymes that | | | | inflammatory and oxidative damage to a variety of |
| are part of the inflammatory process underlying | | | | tissues. Curcumin is a powerful chelating agent for |
| many cancers. Turmeric reduces the activation of | | | | both metals, binding to the metal ions and allowing |
| COX-2 enzymes and sensitizes the tumor cells to | | | | them to be safely excreted in the urine. |
| both radiotherapy and chemotherapy, enhancing their | | | | Traditional use and modern scientific research have |
| therapeutic effects. | | | | shown that turmeric is one of the most valuable |
| Apart from curcumin other phytochemicals found in | | | | spices in our arsenal of disease fighting foods. |
| turmeric are also known to have chemoprotective | | | | Synergism between different spices enhances the |
| effects. Therefore, when it comes to prevention, it is | | | | bioavailability of important compounds such as |
| better to take the parent spice, turmeric, rather than | | | | curcumin. Therefore, to obtain optimum benefit from |
| the pure curcumin extract. However, the treatment | | | | turmeric, it is important to take it with other common |
| of existing breast cancer may call for more specific | | | | spices. |
| dosages of curcumin, the administration of which | | | | Those who are serious about maintaining a healthy |
| would need to be supervised by a qualified health | | | | lifestyle in order to enjoy a good quality of life and |
| practitioner. | | | | reduce the risk of acquiring conditions like |
| Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s Diseases | | | | Alzheimer’s disease and cancer would do well to |
| Curcumin exhibits several properties that make it a | | | | ensure a daily intake of this golden spice. |
| valuable preventive agent for these two devastating | | | | |