Curcumin: One of the Most Researched Natural Agents
Curcumin: One of the Most Researched Natural Agents
When I mention curcumin to oncologists, or to patients, the most common response is: Oh, that’s cumin, right? Wrong. It’s actually the active constituent in Turmeric, affectionately known as the “cytotoxic” or cancer cell-killing curry spice. You can sprinkle turmeric on your food for colour, flavour or to improve antioxidant content. It is one of the many spices in curry powder and gives it that bright yellow-orange colour. This plant is in the same family as ginger is grown in South Asia.
Studies show that high doses of the active constituent are required to have the maximum benefit and achieve blood levels that can impact cancer cells. New advances in the world of natural pharmacy have found preparations combining the curcumin extract with a fatty molecule have the greatest impact on cancer cells.
Research has shown that curcumin can suppress tumour initiation, continued growth and spread. It is also a potent anti-inflammatory. Curcumin can reduce a phenomenon known as chemo-resistance. This happens when a chemotherapy drug initially works well and subsequently the tumour cells begin to outsmart the drug. Curcumin has been shown to improve the efficacy of radiation therapy by making the cancer cells more susceptible to the effects of radiation. This is known as radiosensitization.
There is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates combining curcumin with some chemotherapeutics may improve the efficacy of the drug. Of course, it is important to remember that every drug behaves differently in the body, and when combined with substances (even natural ones), may not be safe to take in combination. Please seek the advice of a professional before taking any supplement. Just because it’s natural, doesn’t mean that it’s safe!
Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2011 Sep 15;255(3):327-38. Epub 2011 Jul 24. Curcumin enhances the mitomycin C-induced cytotoxicity via downregulation of MKK1/2-ERK1/2-mediated Rad51 expression in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Ko JC, Tsai MS, Weng SH, Kuo YH, Chiu YF, Lin YW. Department of Internal Medicine, Hsinchu Hospital, Department of Health, The Executive Yuan, Taiwan
Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2011 Oct 7.Curcuma as a functional food in the control of cancer and inflammation. Schaffer M, Schaffer PM, Zidan J, Sela GB. Source aInstitute of Oncology, Ziv Medical Center, and Faculty of Medicine, Zefat, Israel bClinic Bad Trissl, Oncology Center, Oberaudorf, Germany cDivision of Oncology, Rambam Healthcare Campus, and Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
