Posted on 2 September, 2011
Curcumin, a natural pigment that gives turmeric its glorious yellow color, has been shown by new research out of Ireland to kill esophageal cancer cells in the lab, suggesting tumeric health benefits might include an anti-cancer treatment. A team out of Cork Cancer Research Center treated esophageal cancer cells with curcumin, and found that it began killing these cells in just 24 hours. Unexpectedly, the cancer cells even began to digest themselves. Turmeric has been used as part of Indian Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat all manner of ailments, though more recent research has identified the curcumin as responsible for much of the biological activity. Some studies have suggested curcumin can have an impact on both the onset and growth of tumors, and that those who eat a lot of this spice may be less likely to get certain diseases. It is well documented that cancer rates in India are lower than those in western countries and may be related to the amount of curcumin in the diet. Curcumin is also being studied as a treatment for many diseases, including several types of cancers, Alzheimer's disease and more. In 2007 U.S. researchers found curcumin might be involved in stimulating immune cells in Alzheimer's disease. The latest Irish work suggests that it may also be possible to develop curcumin as a cancer drug for esophageal cancer. In the British Journal of Cancer article the team of researchers conclude that curcumin is "a promising anticancer agent for prevention and treatment of esophageal cancer." Esophageal cancer is one of those that feature tumors that are especially deadly. Often five-year survival rates are abysmal, holding at 12-31%. Each year cancers of the esophagus take the lives of more than half a million people worldwide. Rates of this form of cancer continue to rise, going up by more than 50% since the 1970's. The rise is blamed on increasing obesity rates, alcohol intake and cases of reflux disease. What's interesting about the Irish research is that the cancer cells died as the result of an unexpected system of messages in the cells themselves. In most cases a faulty cell will die by committing a sort of programmed suicide, and this did happen in this study as well. But, the cancer cells exposed to the curcumin also seemed to be attacked using some sort of alternate cell signaling system - as if the molecule was able to trigger other lethal signals within the cell. Dr. Sharon McKenna, lead researcher on the work explains, "Scientists have known for a long time that natural compounds have the potential to treat faulty cells that have become cancerous and we suspected that curcumin might have therapeutic value." Curcumin is used many foods as coloring - foods like mustard, margarine, processed cheese, cakes, curry powder, soft drinks and treats. Still, for some of us, adding this spice to recipes or enjoying spicy Indian, Asian or Middle Eastern dishes is not an option suited to our taste buds or our tummies. Curcumin supplements are safe and well tolerated, though you will want to discuss your plans to add this nutrient to your diet with your doctor before making any changes. No surprise that what we eat, even something as small and seemingly insignificant as a spice like tumeric, might have a very big impact on our long-term health and ability to resist disease. |
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