Turmeric powder is an indispensable ingredient in our kitchen. We add a little turmeric to almost every curry we make, not only for its beautiful color and aroma, but also because of its properties. Some people also add turmeric to their curry powder. If you take a raw turmeric root, it is similar to a ginger root, because both are plants of the same family. But these days, many people are talking about turmeric not only as a spice for food, but also as a cure for serious diseases like cancer. Let's talk about this in more depth today.
What is the connection between turmeric and cancer?
Simply put, the main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin . If you buy a turmeric supplement from the store, the label will probably say Turmeric, Curcumin, or both. Some people often use these for things like inflammation and infections in the body.
But the question is, can this curcumin really fight cancer cells?
Some research has shown some promising results. In vitro, in vitro studies using cells have shown that curcumin has the ability to inhibit the growth of lung, breast, prostate, and colon cancer cells. Other research suggests that curcumin may help make chemotherapy more effective for cancer patients.
One study in patients with colorectal cancer found that curcumin may help to slow the progression of the disease to some extent. Another study suggested that people at high risk of developing cancer may be able to reduce their risk by taking curcumin daily.
But we need to understand something very important here. Most of this research has been done in laboratory animals or on cell cultures. So it is not yet possible to say for sure how these results will affect a person who actually has cancer, or how they will affect someone who is trying to prevent cancer.
What do the clinical trials say about this?
Clinical trials are research that goes beyond the laboratory level and involves actual cancer patients. Several such trials have been conducted around the world regarding curcumin. Let's see what the results were.
You can get a good idea about this from the table below.
| Tested condition | What the clinical trial found |
|---|---|
| Prostate Cancer | There are preliminary findings that it may help reduce the levels of a protein that is a key marker of cancer. |
| Pancreatic Cancer | It has been tested to see if it can improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatments, but the results of that trial have not yet been released. |
| Colorectal Cancer | It has been found that when given with chemotherapy, there may be some benefit, but further study is needed. |
| Oral lesions caused by radiotherapy | One study found that a mouthwash containing turmeric may help with mouth sores in people undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. |
| Skin problems caused by radiation therapy for breast cancer | Another study found that taking turmeric did not help with skin problems and pain caused by radiation treatment. |
As you can see from this table, while some studies have found some benefit, others have found no effect. This means that turmeric is not a 'magic bullet' for cancer .
Is Turmeric Safe?
This is also a very important question. First of all, the amount of turmeric powder we use in cooking is completely safe for the body. Don't be afraid of it.
But the problem comes when we talk about curcumin supplements. The concentration of these is very high.
A few things to remember:
- Stomach discomfort: Taking too much of this supplement can cause stomach discomfort, such as bloating and diarrhea.
- Absorption: The biggest problem is that curcumin is not well absorbed by our bodies. No matter how much you take, most of it is excreted in the stool without being absorbed by the body.
- Quality of supplements: This is the most dangerous thing. We are not like medicine, and supplements like this are not strictly regulated by the government. This means that we cannot be 100% sure that what is written on the label is actually what is inside.
The most important warning: Some research has shown that curcumin may interfere with the effectiveness of some medications you take for cancer (especially chemotherapy drugs). This means that the effectiveness of the medication you are taking may be reduced or other side effects may occur.
Therefore, if you are undergoing cancer treatment, or taking medication for any other disease, and are considering using turmeric or curcumin supplements, you should definitely talk to your doctor before making a decision. Do not use these products without his or her advice.
Take-Home Message
- Turmeric powder added to food is healthy and safe. There is no need to be afraid of it.
- The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, and most of the research that suggests it has cancer-fighting properties is still at the preliminary laboratory level.
- Clinical trials in humans have yielded mixed results, and turmeric is not a proven treatment for cancer.
- If you are a cancer patient or taking medication for other conditions, never take any supplements containing turmeric or curcumin without consulting your doctor . It may interfere with your treatment.
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