Curry's ability to fight cancer put to the test (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

A chemical found in curry is to be tested for its ability to kill bowel cancer tumours in patients.

Curcumin, which is found in the spice turmeric, has been linked to a range of health benefits.

Studies have already shown that it can beat cancer cells grown in a laboratory and benefits have been suggested in stroke and dementia patients as well.

Now a trial at hospitals in Leicester will investigating giving curcumin alongside chemotherapy drugs.
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Prof William Steward, who is leading the study, said animal tests combining the two were "100 times better" than either on their own and that had been the "major justification for cracking on" with the trial.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17959521 Several interesting links at bottom of page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curcumin#Potential_risks_and_side_effects

[Enrique]

1. this drives me crazy

why does nutrition have to be so difficult?

Kawanishi et al. remarked that curcumin, like many antioxidants, can be a "double-edged sword" where, in the test tube, carcinogenic and pro-oxidant effects may be seen in addition to anticancer and antioxidant effects.[46] Carcinogenic effects are inferred from interference with the p53 tumor suppressor pathway, an important factor in human colon cancer.[47] In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that curcumin can have carcinogenic effects.[48][49][50]

[earthside]

3. What are you trying to say?

Really ... I'm not sure what you are getting at.

Is nutrition difficult because curcumin may have carcinogenic effects or because it appears to have mostly anti-cancer effects?

[alfredo]

2. So when I come home reeking of curry, I can tell my wife I am preventing cancer and dementia.

She can eat curry, but hates the smell on others.