Spices may help prevent breast cancer

[The Straight Story]

Spices may help prevent breast cancer


ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The spices turmeric and pepper may help prevent breast cancer by limiting the growth of stem cells -- cells that fuel a tumor's growth, U.S. researchers say.

Current chemotherapies do not work against these cancer stem cells, which is why cancer recurs and spreads. Eliminating the cancer stem cells may be the key to controlling cancer, says Dr. Madhuri Kakarala, clinical lecturer in internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School and a research investigator at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.

Researchers at the university's cancer center found that when the dietary compounds curcumin, derived from the Indian spice turmeric, and piperine, derived from black peppers, were applied to breast cells in culture at the equivalent of about 20 times the potency of what could be consumed through diet, they decreased the number of stem cells while having no effect on normal differentiated cells.

"If we can limit the number of stem cells, we can limit the number of cells with potential to form tumors," Kakarala, the study's lead author, said in a statement.

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/12/08/Spices-may-help-prevent-breast-cancer/UPI-80351260252345/

[niyad]

1. thank goodness I eat lots of curry and peppers

[roguevalley]

2. cinnamon is good for balancing blood sugar. if you can control

inflammation, you can rid yourself of zillions of diseases.

[intheflow]

6. But it's also a depressant,

so as with everything, cinnamon should be eaten in moderation. I know this first hand because I was on a cinnamon kick about a year ago: cinnamon cereal for breakfast, drinking cinnamon coffee, cinnamon bread, and Mexican chocolate ice cream with cinnamon. I was a crying wreck! I cut the cinnamon out and equilibrium returned to my life. I can still eat cinnamon, but I'm very, very careful not to eat too much in any one day, or for many days in a row.

[mcablue]

3. My mom always tells me to eat garlic because it prevents cancer

Or something.

[thereismore]

8. I am sure she is right. nt

[avaistheone1]

4. I think our National Institute of Health is studying turmeric as well

and is also finding favorable results in its cancer fighting properties.

[earth mom]

5. I knew this thread was going to be about Turmeric before I clicked on it.

Suzanne Somers tells about Turmeric in her new book, but there are pharma giant trolls around here who don't want to see this info get out. :grr:

[Hekate]

7. I have a sudden craving for curry

:9

Encouraging to read this. Every bit helps.

Hekate