Curry spice 'kills cancer cells' (new turmeric research)

[NJCher]

Found this at BBC; originally reported in British Journal of Cancer:

snip

An extract found in the bright yellow curry spice turmeric can kill off cancer cells, scientists have shown.

The chemical - curcumin - has long been thought to have healing powers and is already being tested as a treatment for arthritis and even dementia.

Now tests by a team at the Cork Cancer Research Centre show it can destroy gullet cancer cells in the lab.

Cancer experts said the findings in the British Journal of Cancer could help doctors find new treatments.

Dr Sharon McKenna and her team found that curcumin started to kill cancer cells within 24 hours.

snip

More at link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8328377.stm

I know we've had numerous threads on this at our forum but this is the first time I've seen research reporting that turmeric actually kills the cells.

I take mine three times a day. I order from VitaCost, which has the best prices.



Cher

[OneGrassRoot]

1. Awesome.

So it's plain turmeric pills you take or the curcumin extract?

Thanks. :)

[I Have A Dream]

2. I'm not surprised either. Turmeric is amazing. nt

[rumpel]

3. I love curry

I guess I should start eating more of it, and thank the plants while at it. :)

I will send the link to my best friend from school. After 7 years of non communication she now tells me she had to deal with ovarian cancer in the middle of divorce 5 years ago...

[kentauros]

4. That's cool!

I made a coconut-milk curry/turmeric veggie dish a few days ago and want to do it again as it was so good. Just gotta find more coconut milk. Didn't follow a recipe, just put in the spices I thought would go together best and I've always loved both curry and turmeric.

Are you taking capsules or pills? I've got plenty of powdered turmeric and could always fill my own capsules if I wanted to go that route. I just like cooking with it :D

[Kind of Blue]

5. Lively conversation about it at

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4122703

Some fundie science poster(s) couldn't get very far with this bunch :rofl:

Lots of good sharing going on, as well.

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. Most excellent news. Love me some curry.

(This reminds me of recent science news that white wine eats away at tooth enamel. They suggested cheese to counter this effect. Of course, the French have known this for how long? Much like the Japanese use of Wasabi with sushi/sashimi. It's been found that it kills parasites, and raw fish is of course an easy way to contract parasites. The wisdom of the ages!) :)

[juno jones]

7. For those who might be interested in adding turmeric to the diet:

(and didn't see this post in the LBN thread...)


"The Healing Cuisine" by Harish Johari.


I judge cookbooks by the reliability of their recipes, ie: does every recipe in the book turn out well and is it tasty. And this one is one of my favorites.

For those who like Indian food, but cannot take the spice of many curries, there is a lot going on here. Most of the basic dal dishes are cooked with turmeric and you can adjust spice levels yourself to your comfort range if needed. The recipes are vegetarian but I've added meat with no problem. There are also a lot of vegetable dishes (eggplant bharta, yum) if one is not thrilled by the beans and lentils, although ayurvedic food properly prepared should not give you intestinal upset because the balance of spices is partially used to promote the digestion of legumes-think of it as Indian beano.

There is a lengthy introduction to ayurvedism in the front of the book which one can take or leave, although I found the traditional medical uses of the herbs and seasonings to be quite intriguing.

If you like Indian food and live in a place where you can get the spices (most can be ordered online as well as be found in many asian stores) you'll probably enjoy using this book. :hi:

[OneGrassRoot]

8. Curcumin vs. turmeric?

Wondering if getting the extract versus turmeric is preferred?

Thanks. :)

[northernlights]

10. for medicinal purposes

I would lean toward getting the extract so you can get medicinal level doses without having to ingest huge quantities. Also check the source carefully to ensure appropriate extraction methods so you actually get the phytochemical.

For routine maintenance, I would stick to spicing food with turmeric and eating well :D

[OneGrassRoot]

12. ....

Thank you...:hug:

[I Have A Dream]

11. I use the standardized extract with 95% curcuminoids.

I use Nature's Way brand, and, as I stated in a separate thread, it has really helped with my nasal congestion. I'm glad that it has additional benefits beyond those I knew.

[OneGrassRoot]

13. ...

thank you! :hug:

[glinda]

14. Tumeric extract by Nature's Way? Is that what it is called?

[I Have A Dream]

15. It's Turmeric extract (standardized) by Nature's way.

It has a purple cap. (I think that all of their standardized products have purple caps.)

[glinda]

16. Thanks!

[get the red out]

9. Wonderful

Am I the only person to notice that it is always studies outside the US that show the effectiveness of alternative (natural) medicines? And then a short time later there seems to usually be some US study that amazingly enough "proves" the previous study from some other country wrong and it is all anyone talks about in the media?

I tend to think that scientists in other countries are just as "scientific" as our own, actually more-so since our own show quite a bit of prejudice and tend to be paid by the drug companies.

This is good news about turmeric, I give it to my husband for his arthritis, I think I should take it myself also.

[kentauros]

17. And this, just in time for Halloween:

Curry Flavored Kali Mints