Spice It Up! Turmeric for Health

Is there a reason why the four most common cancers, lung, prostate, breast and colon, are 10 times lower in India? Dr Bharat Aggarwal of the cytokine research laboratory in the Department of Experimental Therapuetics at M.D. Anderson thinks so. Curry, which is a staple of the Indian diet contains a spice called turmeric. The primary polyphenolic compound found in turmeric is curcumin. It's anti-inflammatory effects have been known in Eastern medicine for thousands of years. However, it has only been within the last 15 years that the west has discovered it's potent health benefits. Dr. Aggarwal and colleagues have conducted studies showing it's capacity to reduce the inflammatory response, inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells, induce their self-destruction, and discouraging the growth of blood vessels feeding tumors. Curcumin is being studied extensively for the anti-inflammatory effects it appears to have on a number of ailments of which the root are the inflammatory process gone awry. It is a substance worth taking a good look at. It can be added to the diet by preparing traditional Indian dishes and adding to soups and teas. The compound is available in supplement form. If going this route, talk to your doctor about any possible interfence with other drugs or supplements and be careful to not exceed 500 mg, the dosage that has been studied for safety and effectiveness. If nothing else, keep this Indian gem on your health radar. If M.D. Anderson's Cancer Center thinks it's worth the time and money, chances are good that it will shine even brighter in the future!