Powerful Spices Block Cancer Development

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http://www.mercola.com/2005/jul/30/cancer_spices.htm

 

Powerful Spices Block Cancer Development

 

 

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties of

curcumin, the powerful yellow spice found in both turmeric and curry

powders, have been undergoing intense research in various parts of the

world.

 

According to researchers from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson

Cancer Center, curcumin blocks a key biological pathway needed for

development of melanoma and other cancers.

 

The spice stops laboratory strains of melanoma from proliferating and

pushes the cancer cells to commit suicide by shutting down nuclear

factor-kappa B (NF-kB), a powerful protein known to induce an abnormal

inflammatory response that leads to an assortment of disorders such as

arthritis and cancer.

 

Flavorable Findings

 

Researchers treated three different melanoma cell lines with curcumin

and evaluated the activity of NF-kB, as well as IKK, a protein that

triggers NF-kB. Results showed that despite how much curcumin was

used, the spice still:

 

* Prohibited both proteins from being activated

* Worked to stop the growth of melanoma

* Induced cell suicide

 

More on Curcumin

 

Curcumin has long been utilized in India and other Asian nations for

multiple uses, including a food preservative, a coloring agent, a folk

medicine to cleanse the body and as a spice to flavor food.

 

What's telling, however, is that in India (where the spice is widely

used) the prevalence of the top four U.S. cancers -- colon, breast,

prostate and lung -- is 10 times lower.

 

Cancer July 11, 2005

 

Science Daily July 14, 2005

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

Wouldn't life be boring without spice?

 

Spices are absolutely wonderful and make quite a dramatic difference

in the flavor of food. I also find it amazing that not only do we get

a flavor boost, but many of the spices will actually improve our health.

 

Some of my favorite spices are the hot spices, and I love Thai food. I

am not as attracted as much to the curries, though.

 

That brings up a point, as you really do want to honor what your body

tells you. If any food or spice does not taste good or " feel right, "

stay away from it -- no matter who is telling you how good it is for

you. Your body is a far better judge of that than anything you will

ever read. In other words:

 

Listen to your body.

 

Your body is designed to give you all the feedback you need to make

the right food and lifestyle choices. Unfortunately, most of you do

not tune in to this important feedback system and do not fully utilize

the benefits it can bring you.

 

It can even cure cancer.

 

Cancer is a big deal. It's estimated that nearly 1.5 million new

cancer cases and nearly 600,000 cancer deaths will occur in the United

States this year. Cancer has recently unseated heart disease as

America's number one killer of people under the age of 85.

 

So if you like curry, then by all means use it regularly in your diet,

as the evidence is very compelling that it will prevent cancer. But if

you don't like it, then don't worry, as there are no " magic bullets "

for cancer. Just incorporate the other approaches to avoiding cancer

into your life:

 

* A healthy diet

* Exercise

* Sleep

* Stress reduction

* Limit toxin exposure

 

Related Articles:

 

Garlic Could be Used as Cancer Treatment

 

Twelve Changes That Will Cut Your Cancer Risk in Half

 

Cancer's Sweet Tooth