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| Hot, hot, hot!
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| Curry contains spicy elements that not only taste good but feature exciting
preventive properties when it comes to several deadly diseases including
arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
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Call it the spice of life—if any dietary source can help maintain good health, it’s curry powder, which appears to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and lessens the impact of many other ailments.
The same bioactive compound that gives curry its mustard color may just prove to be nature’s wonder drug.
Curcumin, an element of turmeric, one of the spices used to create curry powder, is both an anti-carcinogen and anti-inflammatory. Its medicinal benefits have been subject to
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numerous empirical studies, providing documented evidence of its powerful curative effects.
“Curcumin has a definite role not only in prevention but also the treatment of cancer,” says Dr. Bharat Aggarwal, chief of the Cytokine Research Section at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
“The data is overwhelming. And curcumin’s effects are manifested not only for cancer but also arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other inflammatory diseases. I continue to discover new targets and new mechanisms by which curcumin can mediate its effects.”
To clarify, curry powder is a blend of spices, mixed and ground together. Created by the British during colonial times, it has no set recipe, but generally consists of ginger, chilies, mustard, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper and most importantly turmeric.
Curcumin is turmeric’s principal bioactive compound, a polyphenolic plant pigment responsible for its distinctive yellow coloring. Curry powder derives much of its color from curcumin as well.
Dr. Aggarwal’s research, and that of other scientists, has determined that curcumin impedes activation of the nuclear transcription factor KB (NF-KB), which is associated with the onset of cancer, diabetes and a lengthy list of inflammatory diseases.
NF-KB induces cellular transformation on a genetic level. Among the agents known to activate it are X-rays, free radicals, ultraviolet light and carcinogens. Conversely, numerous agents contained in spices have antioxidant properties that destroy free radicals and carcinogens.
Research points to curcumin as one of the most effective of these agents.
“The medicinal properties of curcumin and its analogs have been known to mankind for ages,” explains Dr. Aggarwal in a co-authored report published in the New York Academy of Sciences.
“Modern science has now provided a scientific basis to the numerous reports of the medicinal effects of these most inexpensive, yet pharmacologically safe, polyphenols. Extensive research in the last few years has indicated that most diseases are caused by the dysregulation of multiple signaling pathways, thus casting doubt on how effective monotherapy against single targets will prove to be. Curcumin and its analogs have been found to attack multiple targets, which provides the basis for their effectiveness in so many different diseases.”
Dr. Aggarwal expresses frustration at the lack of interest exhibited for so promising a treatment.
“The only reason nobody in the pharmaceutical industry would like to pursue curcumin is the lack of patent, which is not fair to the patients.”
Research clearly indicates both a therapeutic and preventive role for phytochemicals like curcumin. One notable study determined that curcumin has 10 times the antioxidant potency of Vitamin E. It even shows promise as a treatment for HIV.
“The data available on the preventive action of curcumin against large numbers of cancer is more overwhelming than that on treatment,” comments Dr. Aggrawal. “Should Americans make curry and other spices a part of their diet? I think if they do not they are missing out on a great deal, and being trapped by toxic and expensive drugs. It’s time for a change.”
All Powderful:
As hot as curry is on dinner plates, it’s even hotter in research laboratories, due to the wide ranging applications of curcumin. Its use has proven effective in the treatment of these ailments:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Myocardial Infarction
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Dermatitis
According to Dr. Aggarwal, clinical trials reveal that you can absorb excessive amounts of curcumin, up to eight grams per day without experiencing any side effects.
So next time you’re preparing a meal, don’t skimp on the seasoning.
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