Fighting Colon Cancer With Spices, Onions

August 19, 2006

Fighting Colon Cancer With Spices, Onions - Patients given phytochemicals found in onions and turmeric saw the number and size of their precancerous colon polyps drop dramatically. http://www.mercola.com/2006/aug/19/fighting_colon_cancer_with_spices_onions.htm

A pill combining chemicals found in onions and turmeric, a spice used in curries, reduced both the size and number of precancerous lesions in the human intestinal tract.

Previous studies on populations that consume large amounts of curry have strongly suggested that curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric, might be effective in treating bowel cancer. Similarly, quercetin, an antioxidant flavanoid contained in onions, has been shown to inhibit growth of colon cancer cells.

To test these substance, over six months five patients with precancerous bowel polyps were treated with doses of curcumin and quercetin. On average, the number of their polyps dropped over 60 percent, and the average size of the polyps fell by more than half. The side effects were limited to slight nausea, sour taste and mild, short-term diarrhea.

However, because the doses of curcumin used in the study were many times what a person would likely ingest in a typical diet (480 milligrams three times a day), simply eating curry and onions may not have the same effect.

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology August 2006; 4(8): 1035-1038

EurekAlert August 1, 2006

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Onions, rich in the antioxidant quercetin, and curcumin, the yellow spice found in turmeric and curry powders, have both proven to be powerful tools against the spread of osteoporosis and cancer.

The researchers in this study believed that curcumin was the more potent key, since the amount of quercetin they prescribed matched what patients typically eat every day, whereas the amount of curcumin consumed was many times what you would normally consume.

However, when you consume them in their natural state you also receive the benefits of the other nutrients in the plants that synergistically further improve the benefits they provide.

Although the researchers believe eating onions and curry alone may not help, it certainly can't hurt you. But also bear in mind that, if your body does not react well to consuming spices like curcumin, pay attention. Your body is a far better barometer of your health than anything you'll ever read.

So if you like curry, then by all means use it regularly in your diet. But if you don't like it, then don't worry, as there is no single "magic bullet" to defeat cancer. You can, however, fight and prevent colon cancer by following a number of safe, natural tips, none of which have anything to do with taking a drug:

1. Avoid processed meats. The evidence seems fairly clear on this one. From my perspective, the less cooked the meat the better. I personally generally do not cook my meat as I believe that the cooking, not the actual meat, produces most of the health risks associated with it.

2. Exercise.

3. Eat vegetables.

4. Get regular sunshine to raise your vitamin D levels.

5. Eat enough omega-3 fats.

6. Lose weight if necessary.

7. Have your doctor check your C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and take steps to lower them if necessary.

8. Maintain normal iron levels.