Turmeric and Cancer

What is turmeric?

Turmeric is a spice with a long history of use in medicinal remedies.

What are the potential health benefits of turmeric?

Turmeric contains a range of molecules offering therapeutic health benefits. The principle active component in turmeric is the yellow pigment curcumin. Research indicates that curcumin in turmeric has a wide range of biological effects producing health benefits.

• Acts as a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, immune system booster, and protector of genetic mutations
• Induces glutathione production along with other activities supporting liver function and detoxification

What are some additional health benefits and the relationship between turmeric and cancer to produce anti-cancer activity?

Curcumin in turmeric appears to have anti-cancer activity inhibiting development (initiation), growth (promotion), and spread (progression). Curcumin blocks a number of cellular processes essential to cancer's survival such as inhibiting blood vessels from supporting cancer growth through anti-angiogenesis and promoting cell death through apoptosis^1-3. You can learn more about curcumin against cancer in our section Curcumin and Cancer (added soon).

Studies suggest that the anti-cancer activity of curcumin occurs in part through the inhibition of a cancer master switch called nuclear factor kappa beta explained in Inflammation and Cancer. A major mechanism through which inflammation fuels cancer involves the production and activity of nuclear factor kappa beta. Considered a master switch in cancer, studies suggest it accounts for approximately 95% of all cancers. Research indicates that nuclear factor kappa beta decreases cancer cell death (apoptosis) and increases cancer cell growth, blood supply to tumors (angiogenesis), invasion, and metastasis^4-8. Nuclear factor kappa beta also fuels inflammation through COX-2 enzymes and cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Studies suggest that high levels of IL-6 are correlated with shorter survival in some people with cancer. Along with promoting cancer invasion, IL-6 stimulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) responsible for increased blood supply to tumors through angiogenesis⁵.

Turmeric is considered the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory with curcumin as the principle molecule for the effect. Research shows that the mixture in turmeric is necessary for the medicinal effects. The addition of black pepper allows assimilation in the body for optimal health benefits. Turmeric is one of the most common ingredients in Ayurvedic Medicine and Cancer.

Top Cancer Resources has information about interactions in Cancer Drugs, Herbs, and Supplements. The chapter Nutrient and Herb Interactions with Conventional Cancer Treatments in Definitive Guide to Cancer, 3rd Edition: An Integrative Approach to Prevention, Treatment, and Healing by Lise Alschuler, ND and Karolyn A. Gazella includes references to contraindications between curcumin and specific cancer drugs.

How much turmeric should I take? What are some ways to take turmeric?

Based on his scientific research, David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD in his book Anticancer⁴ recommends 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder with 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and a generous pinch of black pepper. That can be added to vegetables, soups, and salad dressings. He also explains that only 20 percent of curry contains turmeric. So it's better to use turmeric powder instead of curry. On average, Indians consume 1/4 to 1/2 of turmeric daily.

What is the history of turmeric?

Turmeric's health benefits have been acknowledged for over 5,000 years, especially in China and India.

For More Information

• Curcumin Research by Bharat Aggarwal, PhD
• Life Over Cancer by Keith Block, MD
• Anticancer by David Servan-Schreiber MD, PhD
• The Definitive Guide to Cancer, 3rd Edition: An Integrative Approach to Prevention, Treatment, and Healing by Lise Alschuler, ND and Karolyn A. Gazella
• Textbook of Functional Medicine

Our most popular resources about the body and cancer

Nutrition and Cancer Top Tips
You are what you eat! Some foods kill cancer cells and others promote cancer cell growth. Learning the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods in the midst of cancer is essential.

Inflammation and Cancer
Turn down the heat and extinguish the fire. Inflammation is associated with cancer. Empower yourself with this must know information to reduce cancer risk, improve quality of life, and in some cases cancer survival.

Antioxidants and Cancer
Foods and supplements with antioxidants provide important health benefits, including against cancer. Also learn about potential risks and benefits when combining antioxidants with radiation and chemotherapy.

Conventional Cancer Treatments
Read information about conventional cancer treatments. Learn about the benefits of using conventional cancer treatments in an integrative model. Explore our resources for quality cancer care.

References

1. Ravindran J, Prasad S, Aggarwal BB. Curcumin and cancer cells: how many ways can curry kill tumor cells selectively? AAPS J. 2009 Sep;11(3):495-510. Epub 2009 Jul 10. Review. PubMed PMID: 19590964; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2758121.
2. Reuter S, Eifes S, Dicato M, Aggarwal BB, Diederich M. Modulation of anti-apoptotic and survival pathways by curcumin as a strategy to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Biochem Pharmacol. 2008 Dec 1;76(11):1340-51. Epub 2008 Aug 3. Review. PubMed PMID: 18755156.
3. Aggarwal BB, Kunnumakkara AB, Harikumar KB, Tharakan ST, Sung B, Anand P. Potential of spice-derived phytochemicals for cancer prevention. Planta Med. 2008 Oct;74(13):1560-9. Epub 2008 Jul 8. Review. PubMed PMID: 18612945.
4. Anticancer by David Servan-Schreiber MD, PhD
5. The Definitive Guide to Cancer, 3rd Edition: An Integrative Approach to Prevention, Treatment, and Healing by Lise Alschuler, ND and Karolyn A. Gazella
6. Jeanne Wallace, PhD, CNC presentation at the 17th International Symposium on Functional Medicine, May 2010
7. Prasad S, Ravindran J, Aggarwal BB. NF-kappaB and cancer: how intimate is this relationship. Mol Cell Biochem. 2010 Mar;336(1-2):25-37. Epub 2009 Oct 8. Review.PubMed PMID: 19823771.
8. Aggarwal BB, Vijayalekshmi RV, Sung B. Targeting inflammatory pathways for prevention and therapy of cancer: short-term friend, long-term foe. Clin Cancer Res. 2009 Jan 15;15(2):425-30. Review. PubMed PMID: 19147746.