Leukemia is a form of cancer and affects the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. The exact cause of leukemia is unclear, but Mayoclinic.com notes that genetic and environmental factors, such as exposure to industrial chemicals and smoking tobacco, might contribute to the development of this condition. It is usually treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or biological therapy, although in some cases a stem cell transplant may be performed. The spice, turmeric, might also help to prevent leukemia or complement traditional cancer treatments, although evidence to show it is effective is weak. Get medical advice before using it.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Turmeric is perhaps best known as a rich orange-colored spice used to flavor foods such as curry dishes. However, it is also used as a complementary treatment for a number of medical conditions, including kidney stones, infections and diseases characterized by inflammation. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that it also is used to prevent various forms of cancer, thanks to Its active ingredient, curcumin, which may work by inducing cancer cell death.
Administration
Turmeric is commonly supplied as a finely ground loose powder, but is also available in capsules and tablets. Since turmeric is not a proven leukemia treatment, guidance regarding a dose to help prevent or treat leukemia is lacking. However, Mississippi Baptist Health Systems notes that a typical therapeutic dose provides 400 to 600 mg of curcumin, turmeric's active ingredient, three times daily. This is only a general guideline, so ask your doctor whether this dose is suitable for you.
Effectiveness
Turmeric has not been evaluated as a leukemia treatment in clinical trials, so it is difficult to determine how effective it might be. However, preclinical research published in "Clinical Cancer Research" notes that it may help to destroy chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. The results of a laboratory study published in the December 2010 issue of "Cancer, Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals" also show that turmeric's active ingredient, curcumin, induces leukemia cell death.
Safety Considerations
Mississippi Baptist Health Systems states that turmeric is include on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's generally recognized as safe list and is likely non-toxic. However, it might cause gastrointestinal upset and an allergic skin reaction in some people. Avoid turmeric if you have gallstones or a stomach ulcer. Keep in mind that it might interact with other medicines, including anticoagulants and some cancer drugs.
References
- Mayoclinic.com: Leukemia
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Turmeric
- Mississppi Baptist Health Systems: Turmeric
- "Clinical Cancer Research"; Turmeric and Green Tea: A Recipe for the Treatment of B-Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia; L.S. Angelo, et al.; February 2005
- "Cancer, Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals"; Investigation of the Apoptotic Effect of Curcumin in Human Leukemia HL-60 Cells By Using Flow Cytometry; M. Dikmen, et al.; December 2010
