Canada and the World
Current Events with a Canadian Perspective
Last update
18 February 2011
Cancer Cells Killed by Curry
A curry a day keeps the doctor away? Not quite, but scientists have discovered that a chemical contained in the spice turmeric can kill of some cancer cells
Esophageal (throat) cancer attacks the tube that carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach. The American Cancer Fund says, “It is the most rapidly increasing type of cancer in the United States.”
Treatment for esophageal cancer includes the usual battery of remedies – surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation – but the survival rate is still very low. Only about five percent of people with esophageal cancer survive for five years.
Turmeric Contains Cancer-
Researchers in Ireland and Poland have published a study in the British Journal of Cancer (October 6, 2009) that says a chemical found in turmeric kills the esophageal cancer cells.
Grafixar
Health in the spice rack?
In the study’s abstract the authors say “Esophageal cancer incidence is increasing and survival rates remain extremely poor. Natural agents with potential for chemoprevention include the phytochemical curcumin (diferuloylmethane). We have examined the effects of curcumin on a panel of esophageal cancer cell lines.”
Curcumin is found in turmeric, the spice that gives curry its characteristic yellow colour. The chemical is also being tested as a treatment for arthritis and even dementia.
Causes of Esophageal Cancer
The usual culprits are to blame for the onset of esophageal cancer. According to the American Cancer Fund, “By far, tobacco and alcohol use are the strongest risk factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, accounting for more than 90 percent of such cases.”
The other form of esophageal cancer, adenocarcinoma, has more complex causes. However, obesity and gastro esophageal reflex, in which stomach acid backs up into the throat, are commonly associated with the disease.
CBC News reports (October 28, 2009) that, “Cancers of the esophagus kill more than 500,000 people across the world each year…It’s estimated there will be 1,600 new cases of the disease in Canada this year, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.”
Natural Remedy for Esophageal Cancer
Researcher Dr. Sharon McKenna and her team found that curcumin began killing cancer cells within 24 hours. And, reports BBC News (October 28, 2009), “The cells also began to digest themselves, after the curcumin triggered lethal cell death signals.
“Dr. McKenna said: ‘Scientists have known for a long time that natural compounds have the potential to treat faulty cells that have become cancerous and we suspected that curcumin might have therapeutic value.’ ”
Sources
“Curry Compound Killed Cancer Cells in Lab.” CBC News, October 28, 2009.
“Curry Spice Kills Cancer Cells.” BBC News, October 28, 2009.
“Anglo Indian Chef Creates ‘World’s Healthiest Curry.’ ” Andrew Hough, The Telegraph, October 29, 2009.
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RECIPE FOR
CANCER HEALTH
In the United Kingdom, a former chef has created a recipe that makes the most of
the cancer-
Writing in The Telegraph (October 29, 2009), Andrew Hough reports that Gurpareet Bains has developed what he claims to be the world’s healthiest meal – a curry. “Each serving contains the nutritional equivalent of 49 helpings of spinach, 23 bunches of grapes, or nine portions of broccoli.
Experts say it is up to 20 times more nutritious than any specially-
Bains is quoted as saying, “…the curry I have created is brimming with health-