Turmeric - Epidemiological studies have linked the frequent use of turmeric to lower rates of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer; laboratory experiments have shown curcumin can prevent tumors from forming; and research conducted at the University of Texas suggests that even when breast cancer is already present, curcumin can help slow the spread of breast cancer cells to the lungs in mice.
Prostate cancer—the second leading cause of cancer death in American men with 500,000 new cases appearing each year—is a rare occurrence among men in India, whose low risk is attributed to a diet rich in brassica family vegetables and the curry spice, turmeric.
Scientists tested turmeric, a concentrated source of the phytonutrient curcumin, along with phenethyl isothiocyanates, a phytochemical abundant in cruciferous vegetables including cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi and turnips.
When tested singly, both phenethyl isothiocyanate and curcumin greatly retarded the growth of human prostate cancer cells implanted in immune-deficient mice. In mice with well-established prostate cancer tumors, neither phenethyl isothiocyanate nor curcumin by itself had a protective effect, but when combined, they significantly reduced both tumor growth and the ability of the prostate cancer cells to spread (metastasize) in the test animals.
The researchers believe the combination of cruciferous vegetables and curcumin could be an effective therapy not only to prevent prostate cancer, but to inhibit the spread of established prostate cancers. Best of all, this combination—cauliflower spiced with turmeric—is absolutely delicious! For protection against prostate cancer, cut cauliflower florets in quarters and let sit for 5-10 minutes; this allows time for the production of phenethyl isothiocyanates, which form when cruciferous vegetables are cut, but stops when they are heated. Then sprinkle with turmeric, and healthy sauté on medium heat in a few tablespoons of vegetable or chicken broth for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and top with olive oil, sea salt and pepper to taste.
At this time, there isn't enough research evidence to provide a specific daily or weekly intake of turmeric in food form; however, research clearly indicates that regular consumption of this spice may offer important disease preventive properties. We would encourage including turmeric as part of your diet at least several times a week, or even daily, to receive the important benefits this food offers.
As background, the curcumin content of turmeric will vary depending on whether you are using the fresh root or the dried powder. Furthermore, it is difficult to determine how much curcumin you are ingesting when consuming turmeric in these forms. Importantly, researchers have noted that to obtain the most curcumin, be sure to use turmeric rather than curry powder—a study analyzing curcumin content in 28 spice products described as turmeric or curry powders found that pure turmeric powder had the highest concentration of curcumin, averaging 3.14% by weight. The curry powder samples, with one exception, contained very small amounts of curcumin.
Dietary supplement manufacturers use a process known as standardization, which means that turmeric powder is standardized to contain a specific amount of curcumin in every dose. This makes it easy for the consumer to determine exactly how much curcumin they are consuming for a specific health benefit. As our website focuses on nutrient-rich foods and not dietary supplements, we don't answer questions on the latter. We suggest seeking counsel on your question from a licensed healthcare practitioner who is experienced in this area of health promotion.
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