"turmeric" news and stories

Oh, how I love curry.

And when there is any news of the health benefits of eating curry, I rejoice. Nick has posted before about curry's anti-Alzheimer's properties, and we've speculated about curry's benefits against cancer, but now, there is a small US study that has shown that curcumin, a compound found in the curry spice turmeric, and quercetin, an antioxidant found in onions may help prevent colon cancer in those at risk.

According to Dr Francis M. Giardiello, of The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, "this is the first proof of principle that these substances have significant effects in patients with FAP [familial adenomatous polyposis]," which is an inherited disorder that leads to the development of colorectal polyps and, eventually, colon cancer.

Curry and onions? Bring me some chicken tikka masala and another order of onion bhaji!

Some of you may recall earlier posts about the possible health benefits of curry, specifically curcumin, a polyphenol found in turmeric. There have been studies suggesting that curcumin may help fight cancer and a host of other ailments. The New Scientist and the Daily Mail have recently reported on a new study linking the antioxidants in turmeric to healthy cognitive function in a group of over 1,000 elderly Asians. The study, from researchers at the National University of Singapore, found that curcumin may lower the build up of amyloid plaque and inflammation associated with Alzheimer's. Researchers call the evidence tentative in the study's abstract, saying that further investigation is required.

Junk food for productivity, soda for memory, sake for your skin, and now, curry and cauliflower for cancer? New research from Rutgers suggests that turmeric and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a chemical that occurs in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and turnips, may help treat and prevent prostate cancer. Researchers examined mice injected with human prostate cancer cells and found that injections of turmeric and PEITC each slowed the growth of cancer cells and that when the two were used together, the anti-cancer effects were even stronger. When turmeric and PEITC were used separately on mice with existing tumors, there was little effect, but once again, when they were used together, tumor growth slowed.

Turmeric, which gives many curries their bright yellow color, has also shown promise in protecting the skin during radiation therapy.

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