Curcumin - a substance found in haldi (turmeric) can shrink cancerous tumours!

Scientists have developed tiny dissolvable capsules packed with curcumin - a substance found in turmeric - that can shrink tumours in mice by a third. Curcumin also slows the rate at which rogue cells reproduce, said researchers at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. Previous research has found that curcumin has anti-cancerproperties but most of it gets broken down once it is in the stomach.

So researchers packed circumin inside miniature dissolving capsules - each one just two millimetres long and containing 200 milligrammes of powder. Tumour-ridden mice were implanted with two capsules each over four months while another group was fed a diet of curcumin, the Daily Express reported.

The results showed that 'the implants resulted in significant reduction in both the tumour multiplicity and tumour volume while the dietary curcumin was ineffective.' Curcumin works by blocking the effects of hormones that feed the growth of breast cancer cells, researchers believe.

Further research will now look at whether directly injecting the spice ingredient into tumours could help women beat breast cancer.

The study has been published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research.

Health benefits of turmeric

Prevents Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is a condition that affects the brain. Commonly seen in the elderly, this condition incapacitates the patient by rendering almost all the functions of their brain useless. Thought to be caused due to the accumulation of amyloid plaques, degradation of neurons, and tangled neuro-fibers, this condition still does not have a cure. According to a paper published in the Annals of the Indian Academy of Neurology[1] (that compiled all the notable studies done with regards to turmeric's action against Alzheimer's), it states that turmeric or haldi is capable of preventing and healing Alzheimer's disease. It states that diferuloylmethan (the main component in turmeric) is the component that reduces inflammation, stops excessive amyloid plaque formation around neurons and prevents their degradation, eventually preventing and reducing the severity of the disease.

Prevents cancer

Haldi is known to have chemo-protective properties and can protect you from a number of cancers like colon cancer, cancer of the prostate, T-cell leukaemia, radiation induced tumours and breast cancers. A study published in the Journal of Cancer Research[6] found that the compounds present in turmeric were capable of preventing the progression of both invasive and non invasive colon cancers by destroying cancer cells. It also found that the anti oxidative properties of haldi protects the body from damage due to oxidative stress and radiation, thereby reducing your chances or suffering from tumours caused due to radiation.

Relieves arthritis

The anti inflammatory and anti oxidative properties of turmeric make it a perfect home remedy for arthritis. A number of studies performed previously have also established that haldi has amazing immune-protective benefits. Because of its combined actions on the body, haldi has been used as an effective agent in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies conducted by Arizona Center for Phytomedicine Research[7] and at the Institute of Chemical Biology,[8], found that the compounds present in turmeric were responsible for reducing the inflammation associated with arthritis and RA.The study also found that continuous consumption of the root helps to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with the conditions.

Controls diabetes

If you have diabetes, haldi is something you simply must include into your diet. The curcumin present in turmeric has a very potent effect in moderating insulin levels and enhancing the efficacy of anti diabetic drugs. Being an antioxidant, it fights off the ill effects of free radicals and reduces insulin resistance. A study performed by Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center [9], found that curcumin prevents protein glycosylation (where the protein molecule is altered) and lipid peroxidation (oxidative degradation of lipids), two process that occur commonly in the body when a person has high blood sugar. By controlling these two factors, turmeric increases the person's sensitivity to insulin lowering his/her total blood sugar.

With inputs from PTI

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