An Update on Curcumin, Turmeric and Your Health
One of the main spices used in Indian cooking is turmeric – you’ll find it being added to most curries. More recently its medicinal applications are being investigated.
Earlier this month we wrote about how one of the compounds in turmeric, called curcumin, is being tested for its effectiveness in fighting several types of cancer. The original article is called “Turmeric. Is It a Spice or Medicine?”.
The medical news is currently very active in telling us about more advances with using new synthetic curcumins.
Some Japanese scientists have created synthetic curcumins and have found them to be more effective at treating cancers than the natural curcumin.
One problem with natural curcumin is that it loses its effectiveness when taken orally. But it appears that the synthetic curcumins do not have this problem.
The synthetic curcumins have been tested on mice with colorectal (bowel) cancer with results that are better than with using natural curcumin.
There is an expectation that the synthetic curcumins will also be effective in treating other cancers (such as gastric, breast, pancreas and lung cancers).
Natural curcumin is effective in treating Alheimer’s and it will be interesting to see if the synthetic product also has similar results with this other terrible disease.
These are exciting developments and we will be keeping an eye open to see how they develop.
You can read some of the posts about the new synthetic curcumins by following these links.
New versions of curry ingredient to fight cancer
Curry Offers Hope for Cancer and Alzheimer’s Victims
Curry-derived molecules may help stave off colorectal cancers
