Can curcumin eliminate cancer cells?

Turmeric, also known as turmeric, is often touted for its potential health benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer.

Turmeric contains three main active ingredients: curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bis-demethoxycurcumin. These substances give turmeric its characteristic yellow color.

Laboratory studies have shown that curcumin can fight cancer cells. It can even kill tumor cells. However, when you consume turmeric through food, the amount of curcumin in your bloodstream is usually too small to sufficiently kill cancer cells. With a tumor with millions of cells, each cell must take in curcumin to die, and that is difficult to achieve with food.

Turmeric has strong antioxidant properties and inhibits inflammatory reactions. As a result, it could reduce your risk of diseases that arise from chronic inflammation, such as cancer. It may also help with intestinal problems and protein folding diseases in the brain, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. However, long-term, placebo-controlled studies in humans have yet to show whether curcumin actually has positive effects.

In short, although turmeric has interesting properties, there is no evidence yet that it can effectively eliminate cancer cells. Always consult a doctor for specific advice on cancer prevention and treatment.

Source: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/16/7/943

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-08-15 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024