| The active component curcumin in the spice turmeric | | | | Couple of important studies has dramatically indicated |
| is shown to prevent and retard cancer in hundreds of | | | | that this cancer causing DNA mutation pathway can |
| studies and research reports. Many of the methods | | | | be closed by turmeric. In one study mutagenic |
| by which carcinogenesis (attack of carcinogens on | | | | changes in the bone marrow of mice were |
| the DNA and cellular structure) progresses has been | | | | significantly decreased by administration of turmeric |
| shown to be retarded or short circuited by turmeric. | | | | extract. Another study was dramatic because it was |
| A powerful carcinogenic agent TPA (tissue | | | | done on people. Normally such studies are never |
| polypeptide antigen) is known to cause cancer by | | | | done on people as it is illegal and unethical to inject |
| increasing the production of a substance in the body | | | | people with carcinogenic agents as in the case of |
| called protein kinase. Turmeric appears to suppress | | | | animals used for laboratory studies. Smokers are |
| the production of protein kinase. Turmeric is also | | | | injecting themselves with wide range of carcinogenic |
| shown to lower the levels of oncogen which is a | | | | agents. A study was done on 100 smokers in India |
| cancer causing gene called c-jun. A team of scientists | | | | who refused to quit against all warnings. They were |
| not only demonstrated these suppressive effects but | | | | given turmeric extract pill for 30 days (Though diet in |
| caused a 99% inhibition of TPA induced tumors on | | | | India regularly contains turmeric that is not sufficient). |
| rodents. | | | | During this period there was a startling 40% |
| It is obvious that turmeric is shutting of some of the | | | | reduction in the urinary extraction of tobacco related |
| cancer causing pathways and probably blocking of | | | | mutagens - a byproduct of cell/DNA mutation. Clearly |
| malignant tumors at the initiation, promotion and | | | | turmeric -curcumin detoxified enough carcinogens in |
| progression stage itself. Turmeric is capable of | | | | the lungs to cause such a reduction of mutation |
| slowing or preventing genetic mutation in cells that | | | | process. |
| are risk factors for cancer. Mutation is a genetic | | | | Turmeric tops the short list of really powerful cancer |
| change in the DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid of a cell | | | | preventive agents. Many government funded |
| that gets passed on to future generations of the | | | | agencies like Nation Cancer Institute, Medline Plus and |
| cells in the process of cell division. Although not all | | | | American Cancer Institute have recognized turmeric |
| DNA mutations are carcinogenic cancer has always | | | | as one of the best means of prevention against |
| followed DNA mutation. | | | | cancer. |