Curcumin shown to significantly slow dangerous cancer cell growth

by: | August 23, 2023
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curcumin-slows-cancer-cell-growth(NaturalHealth365)  Prized for centuries in Asian medicine, the Western world is now recognizing the incredible health benefits associated with curcumin – a component of the spice turmeric.  In fact, an ever-growing number of studies show it could play a significant role in slowing and preventing the growth of cancerous tumors.

Scientists believe this natural compound works in a way that reverses more than a half dozen known cancer-promoting processes.  These actions give curcumin multiple mechanisms for fighting tumor growth from the earliest stages of development.

Research shows curcumin can destroy deadly cancer tumors

A recent review article published in Cancer Letters highlights the substantial global health challenge posed by cancer and the limitations of conventional treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to resistance development and other unwanted side effects.  Despite advancements in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, researchers actively explore safer and more effective alternatives.

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic phytoalexin, has gained attention for its wide range of biological effects.  The review delves into curcumin’s role in cancer therapy, focusing on its mechanisms in inducing programmed cell death in tumors and suppressing metastasis.  This recent article is one of the latest studies suggesting that curcumin may prevent cancer, slow its spread, make even conventional cancer treatments more effective, and protect healthy cells from deadly damage by radiation therapy.

Battling cancerous tumors on numerous fronts with a multi-faceted approach

Cancer is known to develop via a multifactorial process, which is why single-tier approaches remain ineffective in stopping the development of this complex disease.  But supplementation with curcumin provides multilayered protection known to lessen the progression of tumors during all stages of development.

Its multi-pronged approach makes curcumin one of the most potent natural compounds for preventing and treating cancer, including some of the most difficult-to-treat tumors.  One of the telltale signs of tumor growth is rapid, poorly differentiated blood vessel formation.  Curcumin has been found to reduce the number of new blood vessels formed by tumors.

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It also works by reducing the activity of certain receptors that are known to promote tumor growth.  In animal studies involving prostate cancer, it was also noted that curcumin cut in half the growth rate of prostate-specific antigen, a marker of tumor progression.

Curcumin has also been noted to prevent DNA damage due to radiation, toxins, and other environmental factors.  It also works on several fronts to restore normalcy to cell growth, including repairing normal growth controls, reducing the viability of malignant cells, switching off genes that promote tumor development, and restoring normal programmed cell death, to name a few.

It is also believed that curcumin works with the body’s natural immune system to improve the identification and subsequent destruction of malignant cells.  It blocks so-called protein-melting enzyme actions known to lead to malignant growth.

But its ability to slow cancer growth doesn’t stop there.  Research shows curcumin also greatly decreases the ability of existing cancer to metastasize by reducing the production of adhesion molecules used to stick to vessel walls.  Related to this action, it also speeds up the movement of cancer cells along vessel walls to keep them from settling in place and forming mature metastases.

For those choosing to treat their cancer through a combined approach of natural and conventional options, there is even some evidence that curcumin may sensitize cancer stem cells, making them more susceptible to the action of chemotherapy drugs.

One of the shortcomings of conventional cancer treatment is that it has focused primarily on the existing tumor, while cancer stem cells remained intact long after the tumor had been killed, only to resurface with a recurrence of cancer down the road.  But science has shown that curcumin actually decreases cancer stem cell survival and makes them more susceptible to destruction by chemotherapy.

Accessing the benefits of curcumin for therapeutic purposes

While the spice turmeric may be readily available, just upping the amount you use in cooking will not deliver therapeutic amounts of curcumin to your system.  In fact, it is known that curcumin is poorly absorbed.

The easiest alternative is to opt for a very high-quality organic turmeric extract.  Look for a high percentage of curcumin, preferably around 95 percent.  Typical anticancer amounts are a maximum of 3 grams of bioavailable curcumin extract, taken three to four times daily.  But, of course, you should consult with an experienced holistic physician, especially when dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
Lifeextension.com
LPI.oregonstate.edu

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