100 Science-Proven, Evidence-Based Facts About Turmeric’s Cancer & Inflammation Reversing Powers

Turmeric has many serious fans in the fight to beat cancer.

It is a powerful antioxidant that is also anti-viral and anti-bacterial; plus it seems to have great potential to fight cancer in a number of ways, especially colorectal cancer. All people wishing to build an anti-cancer program should think seriously about including curcumin within it.

It has the ability to modulate genetic activity and expression , both by destroying cancer cells, and by promoting healthy cell function.

Wide Activity

Curcumin is the active ingredient of the Indian/Asian curry spice Turmeric. To put this technically, curcumin is the principal curcuminoid in turmeric. Curcuminoids are polyphenols. Turmeric powder is ground from the root of a plant called Curcuma Longa, which is a member of the ginger family and is found throughout Southern Asia, even growing wild in the Himalayas.

This vivid yellow to brown spice was used, like many Asian spices and chillies, to hide the taste of stronger tasting meats and fish even those that might have gone a little off in such hot climates. Like many such spices, it also performed a necessary and functional role it was a cleanser, a bacteria-killer in the stomach, protecting against tainted foods!

Curcumin is the most researched compound in medicine! And new research is coming thick and fast.

Curcumin/turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years as a cleanser of the body. It appears to work at a number of levels:

1. It can inhibit unwanted bacterial action in the stomach and intestine

For example, University of Chicago researchers have shown it inhibits Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium known to be responsible for stomach ulcers and some stomach cancers. In Ayurvedic medicine, curcumin was used in poultices for this same reason to kill unwanted bacteria.

2. It is a significant anti-inflammatory

Japanese research suggests it works in much the same way as salicylin.

3. It is a powerful antioxidant

Turmeric extract tested more potent than garlic, omega 3 and cat´s claw (devil´s claw) said German research.

4. It can help prevent liver damage

2010 research from St Louis has shown that it can turn off a protein called Leptin, which causes liver damage. It has also been shown to be capable of detoxifying the liver. Thus curcumin may be of help in keeping the liver healthy during chemotherapy cancer treatments.

5. It can prevent and even ´treat´ cancer

As we have covered above, curcumin can suppress tumour initiation, promotion and metastasis. Extensive research over the last 50 years has indicated it can prevent and treat cancer. The anti-cancer potential stems from its ability to control gene signaling, and affect a wide variety of tumor cells.