Curcumin is a spice that is taken from the turmeric root, known scientifically as Curcuma longa. Used often in Indian and Asian cuisine, curcumin is the compound in turmeric that gives it its yellow color, often noted in curry powder and curried food. Curcumin contains antioxidant compounds that are associated with numerous health benefits. Along with being used as a spice, curcumin is available as a nutritional supplement in tablet or capsule form.
Anti-cancer Benefits
Curcumin has been the subject of numerous studies that show its effectiveness in fighting cancer cells. According to the August 2008 issue of "Cancer Letters," curcumin has been shown to be effective in fighting leukemia, colon cancer, lymphoma, stomach and intestinal cancers, urinary tract cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancers, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, genitourinary cancers, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, lung cancer, skin cancer, bone cancer, and cancers of the brain and brain stem. The report, written by researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, explains that curcumin interrupts cell pathways and signaling, which interferes with cancer cells' ability to develop, multiply, survive and invade healthy tissues. Curcumin also stimulates apoptosis, or the death of cancer cells.
While dietary curcumin is able to fight cancer, you would need to consume excessive amounts of it to treat cancer. The May 11, 2010, issue of "Cancer Research" reports that researchers are developing ways to inject curcumin into tissues so it has a steady, sustained release, which will make it even more effective in fighting and treating cancer.
Anti-inflammatory Benefits
Curcumin helps relieve inflammation, which aids in the treatment of numerous diseases, such as arthritis and atherosclerosis. According to the June 2009 issue of "Alternative Medicine Review," researchers found that curcumin reduces the negative effects of inflammation-producing molecules. Because it is so effective, the researchers state that curcumin should be considered as therapy in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, some forms of cancer and pancreatitis.
A report out of UCLA explains that curcumin does not simply lessen the symptoms of pancreatitis, but it helps prevent the disease by fighting different inflammatory molecules. In addition to IBD, arthritis and pancreatitis, the UCLA report suggests that curcumin be used in the treatment of kidney inflammation, liver inflammation, inflammation of the brain and even Alzheimer's disease.
Anti-obesity Benefits
Curcumin's anti-inflammatory benefits have been found to play a role in the fight against obesity. When researchers at Tufts University in Boston fed mice a high-fat diet, then supplemented the diet with curcumin, they found that the mice did not eat less, but experienced lower weight gain and lower development of body fat. Lower cholesterol levels were also noted. The study, published in the March 18, 2009, issue of "Journal of Nutrition," concludes that dietary curcumin may play a beneficial role in the prevention of obesity.
References
- PubMed: Abstract: Cancer Letters: Curcumin and cancer
- PubMed: Abstract: Cancer Research: Injectable Sustained Release Microparticles of Curcumin
- PubMed: Abstract: Alternative Medicine Review: Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin
- UCLA Invents: Curcumin As A Treatment For Pancreatitis
- Journal of Nutrition: Curcumin Inhibits Adipogenesis and Obesity in C57/BL Mice
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