Turmeric: The Golden Defense in Cancer Prevention and Support

Turmeric, scientifically known as Curcuma longa, is a vibrant golden spice that has been an integral part of culinary and medicinal traditions for centuries.

Originating from the Indian subcontinent, this golden spice is a member of the ginger family and is renowned for its warm, earthy flavour and distinctive yellow hue.

Anti-Cancer Properties of Turmeric

Turmeric has garnered significant attention for its potential anti-cancer properties, primarily attributed to its active compound, curcumin. Numerous studies suggest that curcumin possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics, which may play a role in preventing and combating cancer.

Curcumin has been investigated for its ability to inhibit cancer cell growth and impede tumour development. Additionally, it may interfere with various signalling pathways involved in cancer progression.

The below table¹ summarises the scientific findings of the curcumin compound which is responsible for most of the anti-cancer properties.

Sites		Constituents	Anticancer Effects
Lung		Curcumin	Inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death, a natural and controlled process) and DNA damage; inhibiting proliferation, migration, and the growth of cancer; decreasing cell growth and viability; inhibiting expression of DNA-repair-associated proteins
Liver		Curcumin	Inhibiting the growth of hepatoma cells (hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells / cancerous cells), inhibiting and reversing diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis
Breast		Curcumin	Inhibiting MCF-7 (a specific human breast cancer cell) breast carcinoma cells, cell invasion, and sensitizing cancer cells to retinoic acid
Stomach		Curcumin	Inhibiting proliferation and invasion, promoting apoptosis, suppressing lymphatic vessel density, inhibiting cell growth
Colorectum		Curcumin	Preventing aberrant crypt foci, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell growth
Cervix		Curcumin	Eradicating HPV+ cancer cells without affecting non-cancerous tissue, inhibiting the proliferation and inducing apoptosis, inhibiting tumor growth and angiogenesis
Prostate		Curcumin	Targeting AR and histone modification, inhibiting the proliferation and growth

Limitations of Turmeric in Cancer Treatment

Despite its potential use in cancer treatment, one major limitation of this spice (curcumin) is its poor bioavailability, which hinders its therapeutic efficacy.

Efforts have been made to improve its bioavailability, such as using adjuvant phytochemicals found in turmeric itself.

Additionally, curcumin can modulate the function of drug-metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters, which may affect the pharmacokinetics of other drugs.

Increasing the bioavailability of Curcumin

Curcumin is a compound with poor bioavailability due to its low solubility and quick elimination from the body. Several approaches have been explored to enhance its bioavailability.

One approach is the use of solid dispersion systems, where curcumin is dispersed in smaller particle sizes. Studies have shown that decreasing the particle size of curcumin solid dispersions improves its bioavailability and solubility in micelles² .

Another approach is the derivatization of curcumin with isoleucine, which has been found to increase the bioavailability of curcumin in plasma and reproductive organs³.

Studies have shown that combining curcumin with piperine, a compound found in black pepper, can significantly improve its bioavailability⁴. Piperine can modulate metabolic enzymes and drug transporters, enhancing the absorption and utilization of curcumin in the body ⁵.

Typically, turmeric contains about 2-5% curcumin by weight. If you’re considering curcumin supplements, dosages often range from 500 to 2,000 milligrams per day, but individual needs may differ. It’s crucial to follow the product-specific recommendations and consult with a healthcare provider, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking medications.

The inclusion of turmeric in one’s diet is highly recommended for its potential in supporting and possibly preventing cancer. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has demonstrated promising anti-cancer properties in various studies.

Its ability to modulate inflammation, inhibit tumor growth, and induce apoptosis in cancer cells makes it a compelling dietary addition.

While more research is needed, incorporating turmeric into a balanced diet serves as a proactive and delicious approach to potentially bolstering the body’s defenses against cancer and supporting overall health.

 

1. Jie, Zheng., Yue, Zhou., Ya, Li., Dong, Ping, Xu., Sha, Li., Hua-Bin, Li. Spices for Prevention and Treatment of Cancers.. Nutrients, (2016). doi: 10.3390/NU8080495 ↩︎
2. Chihiro, Kato., Mayuko, Itaya-Takahashi., Taiki, Miyazawa., Junya, Ito., Isabella, Supardi, Parida., Hiroki, Yamada., Akari, Abe., Mika, Shibata., Keita, Someya., Kiyotaka, Nakagawa. Effects of Particle Size of Curcumin Solid Dispersions on Bioavailability and Anti-Inflammatory Activities. Antioxidants, (2023). doi: 10.3390/antiox12030724 ↩︎
3. S., Divyashree., P., Janhavi., Nanjundaswamy, Vijendra, Kumar., B., K., Bettadaiah., S., P., Muthukumar. Improved bioavailablity of curcumin by derivatisation with isoleucine in plasma and reproductive tissues of female rats is mainly due to altered affinity for P-gp transporter. Current Bioactive Compounds, (2022). doi: 10.2174/1573407218666220819184042 ↩︎
4. Pitchai, Balakumar. A Unifying Perspective in Blunting the Limited Oral Bioavailability of Curcumin: A Succinct Look. Current Drug Metabolism, (2022). doi: 10.2174/1389200223666220825101212 ↩︎
5. Mangala, Gowri, Hegde., Sosmitha, Girisa., Bandari, BharathwajChetty., Ravichandran, Vishwa., Ajaikumar, B., Kunnumakkara. Curcumin Formulations for Better Bioavailability: What We Learned from Clinical Trials Thus Far?. ACS omega, (2023). doi: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07326 ↩︎