Lung cancer, like any cancer, can be a devastating and life-threatening diagnosis. Approximately 157,300 people die from lung cancer every year, according to the American Cancer Society, making it the second most common cancer in men and women. Researchers are constantly searching for new drugs and ways to improve drugs already on the market. In addition to creating new drugs, researchers are experimenting with natural remedies such as turmeric, the main ingredient in many Indian curries. You should always consult your physician before using turmeric or any other herbal supplement.
Turmeric
For close to 4000 years, herbalists have used curcuma longa, or turmeric, to treat a number of ailments. The perennial plant grows in India and Southeast Asia and is a relative of ginger. Turmeric has trumpet-shaped yellow flowers and a sharp but bitter taste. Turmeric contains a powerful antioxidant, known as curcumin, which researchers believe may help fight infections, reduce inflammation and help treat digestive problems.
You probably know turmeric best as the ingredient that gives Indian curry its flavor and color, but scientists are currently looking at how the plant may help treat bacterial and viral infections, diabetes, vision problems, indigestion, atherosclerosis, stomach ulcers, osteoarthritis and several types of cancer, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States for both men and women, claiming more lives every year than prostate, colon, ovarian, lymph and breast cancers combined, according to MayoClinic.com. Smoking is the most common cause of lung cancers for smokers as well as people who were exposed to second-hand smoke. Physicians believe that smoking causes the cancer by damaging cells along the lining of the lungs.
There are two general types of lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer, the less common of the two types of lung cancers, occurs almost exclusively in heavy smokers. Non-small cell lung cancer is the term for all other types of lung cancers including squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.
Scientific Evidence
As of 2011, there are clinical trials exploring the affects of turmeric on both types of lung cancer. Because clinical trials are still ongoing, there is currently no research to specifically confirm or refute that turmeric has positive effects on lung cancer. The American Cancer Society explains that one theory regarding how turmeric works is that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, may interfere with the supply of blood to the tumors, causing them to shrink or die. Turmeric may also prevent certain cancers because it contains powerful antioxidants that may be similar in strength to vitamin C, helping to protect cells from damage. Research is still ongoing at this time, making it difficult for researchers to draw any firm conclusions. Always discuss turmeric with your oncologist before use.
Warnings
People have not reported any side effects when taking turmeric, but the spice may interfere with certain medications. Taking turmeric with medications that reduce stomach acid such as cimetidine, ranitidine, esomeprazole, lansoprazole and omeprazole may interfere with the way the medications work. Using antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs such as clopidogrel, aspirin or warfarin may increase the risk of excessive bruising or bleeding.
