Tumeric is a spice used in curry and other dishes. It is a perennial plant belonging to the same family as ginger. Scientific studies show that turmeric tablets may provide a variety of health benefits. However, consult with your doctor before trying to prevent, treat or cure any condition with turmeric.
Immune System
One of the benefits of eating turmeric is that it has the potential to boost the health of your immune system. In fact, turmeric has been used extensively in Indian and Chinese medicine for this purpose, according to the researchers in a study published in 2009 in "Planta Med." In their study, the researchers found that turmeric influences dendritic cells, which help regulate immune system function.
Breast Cancer Cells
If you are seeking an anti-breast cancer regimen, you may want to consider adding turmeric to your diet. Tumeric has been found in scientific studies to work against the spread of human breast cancer cells. For example, a study published in 2010 in the "Archives of Pharmacological Research" found that turmeric effectively influenced MMP-3 expression. MMP-3 is an enzyme that is highly involved in the invasion and spread of breast cancer cells.
Orofacial Pain
Orofacial pain is a new area in which medical practitioners are focusing attention. This type of pain refers to that of the head, neck and shoulders or other conditions that project pain sensations to the facial area. Curcumin led to a reduction of clinically induced orofacial pain in mice as indicated by a reduction of facial grooming in a study published in April 2009 in "Phytotherapy Research."
Angiogenesis
Trivalent arsenic is a pharmaceutical treatment for leukemia. However, it has serious side effects, including angiogenesis, or the formation of new blood vessels, which can contribute to tumor growth. Tumeric may help protect people taking trivalent arsenic from experiencing this. A study published in 2010 in "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine" found that turmeric reduced angiogenesis in a chicken egg model.
References
- "Planta Med"; Inhibition of Human Dendritic Cell Activation by Hydroethanolic but Not Lipophilic Extracts of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa); Joseph Krasovsky, et al., 2009
- "Archives of Pharmacological Research"; The Inhibitory Effect of Turmeric Curcuminoids on Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 Secretion in Human Invasive Breast Carcinoma Cells; Mathanaporn Boonrao, et al.; 2010
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Evaluation of Antihyperalgesic Effect of Curcumin on Formalin-Induced Orofacial Pain in Rat; Niti Mittal, et al.; April 2009
- "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine"; Curcumin and Turmeric Attenuate Arsenic-Induced Angiogenesis in Ovo; P. Pantazis, et al.; 2010
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