A study published last week in the British Journal of Cancer echoed what has been suspected for years: turmeric can be used to prevent and treat cancer. The chemical curcumin, an extract found in turmeric, was shown to trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death signals) in cancerous cell within 24 hours of the treatment being applied. The scientists are hoping new cancer treatments or supplements can be developed utilizing curcumin extract.

Our cells have a programmed life cycle. Between 50 to 70 billion cells die each day in the average human adult. When cells mutate and apoptosis doesn’t occur the way it should, the uncontrolled abnormal growth of cells is what we call cancer. Curcumin essentially treats cancer at the basic root of the problem.

If you want to read the actual study itself, here is the link for it’s summary on the British Journal of Cancer’s website: http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v101/n9/abs/6605308a.html

The BJC’s recent study was done on oesophageal cancer cell lines, but the health benefits of turmeric don’t stop there. The extract from the bright yellow curry, derived from the underground stems of Curcuma longa, has long been known to have many medicinal uses. Listed below are some conditions or situations that turmeric can be used as a treatment for:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Antibacterial
• Antiseptic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Arthritis
• Breast cancer
• Childhood leukemia
• Colorectal cancer
• Cystic fibrosis
• Depression
• Fat metabolism
• Healing of wounds and skin
• Inflammatory skin conditions
• Liver detoxification
• Lung cancer
• Melanoma
• Metastasis prevention
• Multiple myeloma
• Multiple sclerosis
• Painkiller
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer (when mixed with cauliflower)
• Psoriasis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Tumors (preventing and treating)
• Weight loss (fat metabolism)
• Wound healing

Turmeric can be added to your food, but can also be taken as a supplement in capsule form. I personally use it in a variety of recipes on a regular basis. I have family members who also take turmeric supplements.

So what’s the catch? Something with so many health benefits surely has a few side effects to go with it, right? Well, turmeric is natural so you’re generally going to be fine. Side effects are rare, but pregnant women and people with gallstones should exercise caution. If you have any existing health problems, heart or liver issues, blood clotting disorders, or you’re currently taking medications, speak with a physician before deciding whether or not to start turmeric supplementation.

If this has you wondering how something so simple could treat cancer, among other things, then I recommend you also speak with a homeopathic doctor. Explain your problems to them and they can guide you in the right direction when it comes to natural treatments. One of the most important things we can do is educate ourselves, our family, and our friends and be pro-active in preventing disease.