Can turmeric prevent or cure cancer?
Turmeric and Cancer have been studied since the early 2000s, to understand whether an inherent component of Turmeric (Curcumin) can cause tumour cell deaths. Many clinical trials have used Curcumin as an additional agent for patients undergoing Chemotherapy, and some have met with reasonable success; however the exact results remain inconclusive.
Turmeric: A history of healing
Turmeric (also known as Indian saffron, jiang huang, haridra and haldi), is a homegrown spice native to many Asian countries. The turmeric plant belongs to the ginger family, and is used both as a spice and a major ingredient of commonly used curry powder. Since ages, it has been used by herbal wellness practitioners and Ayurveda evangelists, as a supplement that reduces inflammation, aids in treating intrinsic infections and a healing agent for external wounds. In India, a combination of warm milk and turmeric paste/powder (called Haldi Doodh) is quite popular as an early morning beverage, and as a pre-sleep meditative supplement, which, people claim, helps in boosting both immunity and metabolism.
The role of curcumin
An active ingredient in Turmeric is called Curcumin or Diferuloyl Methane, which some laboratory studies have shown to have anti-cancer effects on cancer/tumor cells.
A Phase-I Clinical Trial was conducted on 25 patients with precancerous changes in different organs. This trial seemed to conclude that Curcumin could stop the “pre-cancerous changes” from becoming cancer. (Source: Cancer Research UK).
Multiple clinical trials have tried to establish a direct link between Turmeric and Cancer, often supplementing regular treatments – such as Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer – with active Curcumin as an additional agent.
Antioxidant properties
Curcumin has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can reduce inflammation in external injuries/wounds and boost the human body’s Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR).
Studies suggest that Curcumin can boost the antioxidant properties of the body’s own enzymes, neutralize free radicals (which damage fatty acids, proteins, or DNA), and stimulate the body’s self-secreted antioxidant enzymes.
By protecting the body against unwanted DNA changes, turmeric consumption can reduce the chances of genetic mutations.
Anti-cancer properties of curcumin
Numerous lab studies and clinical trials (2007-2016) have demonstrated that Curcumin has certain anti-cancer effects. It appears to be able to kill cancer cells and prevent more from growing.
Studies suggest that Curcumin is particularly effective for patients with Breast Cancer, Bowel Cancer, Stomach Cancer, and Skin Cancer.
According to Cancer Research UK:
- In 2013, a lab study found that combining chemotherapy with curcumin for Bowel Cancer might be better than chemotherapy alone.
- In 2007, a study on mice showed that Curcumin helped stop the metastasis of Breast Cancer cells.
Absorption of turmeric
Curcumin stays in the digestive system for a long time and is absorbed by bowel cells. A UK-based study looked at how much Curcumin is absorbed into liver and cancer cells in patients with Bowel Cancer that had spread to the liver.
Patients were given Curcumin for 7 days before surgery. Tissue samples from the liver showed that the level of Curcumin absorbed was not high enough to have significant anticancer effects.
Researchers suggested that future trials should focus on the prevention of Bowel tumours.
2008 – An interesting development
In a Phase-2 study with 25 patients (21 with measurable tumors), Curcumin treatment caused tumors to shrink or stop spreading in two patients. Some patients showed increased levels of immune system chemicals that attack cancer cells. However, the absorption of Curcumin into the bloodstream was minimal.
Scientists are now working on the development of injectable, fat-soluble forms of Curcumin to improve results.
What doctors say on the subject
While the studies look promising, there is a clear lack of enough trial-based evidence to confirm if Curcumin can treat cancer in humans.
Doctors have a responsibility to administer the absolute right treatment. Therefore, they usually neither deny nor acknowledge any effects of an alternate therapy unless there is absolute scientific evidence.
At this time, turmeric is not medically proven to be a cancer-prevention supplement, nor is it approved as cancer medication. People choosing to supplement their cancer treatment with turmeric should definitely cross-check such suggestions with their consulting oncologists to avoid potential conflicts with ongoing medication or side effects.