Tumeric and Breast Cancer

For thousands of years foods have been used as medicines in many traditional forms of healing such as Ayervedic and Traditional Chinese medicine.  Herbs and spices were especially revered for their healing properties.

     Although, Western medicine has been slow to acknowledge the benefits of natural remedies, researchers are scientifically validating medicinal properties of commonly used herbs.  

     In a journal, Cell Physiology and Biochemistry, published in 2007, Drs. Bachmeier, Nerlich, and colleages studied the effects of turmeric on cancer metastasis.  The scientists using curcumin, which is a polyphenol found in the herb turmeric, found it to be effective at inducing cell death in breast cancer cells and reducing the likelihood of metastases in mice.

     For any woman with breast cancer in her family history or who is wanting to prevent breast cancer, turmeric is a wonderful spice to add into the diet.  The curcumin found in the turmeric is excellent for promoting liver function.  The better the liver works, the better it can process toxins in the body.  Fewer toxins in the body allows the immune system to work more efficiently.  A strong immune system decreases the risk of developing cancer in the first place.

    If there are cancer cells developing in the breast tissue, the study quoted indicates that curcumin can cause those cells to self-destruct and reduce migration to other parts of the body.  This is fantastic news because for many women who get diagnosed as having breast cancer, often times the great fear is that cancer cells will metastasize to more vital parts of the body such as the lungs. 

     Just imagine taking medicine by having a meal of organic chicken seasoned liberally with turmeric.  Now that's my kind of medicine!