Perhaps the most important herb for Prostate Cancer protection

One of the most important natural agents that offer maximal cancer protection is curcumin.

Curcumin is a component in the Indian spice turmeric and it’s a cousin of ginger – another highly protective herb. The yellow color in your curry dish is caused by curcumin.

There are over 150 research papers suggesting curcumin’s protective effects against prostate cancer and close to two thousand scientific papers showing its inhibitory effects against all cancers.

Details of the study:

• The goal of the study is to: 1.  Investigate the efficacy of curcumin in the prevention of prostate cancer metastases. 2. Determine how it works – known in the science community as the mechanism of action.

• Prostate cancer  (and breast cancer) cells produce inflammatory chemicals called cytokines.

• Nuclear Kappa Factor –b (NFkB) is a major promoter of these cytokines.

• The study showed curcumin’s inhibitory effects on the specific cytokines involved in the progression of prostate cancer by interrupting the action of NFkB in mice. (Killan et al, 2012)

• “Curcumin is well tolerated and is therefore, in principle, suitable both for prophylactic use (primary prevention) and also for the suppression of metastases in cases where an established tumor is already present (secondary prevention).” – Science Daily

My take on this and today’s Doggy bag:

Spices of all kinds should be consumed daily with food. The scientific community is now realizing that the best pharmacy is indeed in the kitchen. Rosemary, Oregano, garlic, turmeric all have anti-cancer properties.

A Smart Supplementation program that includes high quality curcumin is essential for anyone interested in preventing or slowing the development or progression of prostate cancer. This is a crucial component of a comprehensive anti-tumor program. An absorbable curcumin dietary supplement I use is  C3  Curcumin Complex. For more information on this CLICK HERE and HERE.

Optimal amounts of curcumin ranges from 400mg to 4000mg a day. Science daily has suggested up to 8 grams a day  (8000mg) is safe. Typically, the more aggressive the health problem the more curcumin should be consumed. The optimal consumption of curcumin has not been properly studied yet.

It’s always best to be monitored by a naturopathic doctor or a nutritionally oriented physician when using herbs and nutrients like curcumin therapeutically.

For a naturopathic doctor specializing in oncology here’s where you want to go.

Reference:

Killian PH, Kronski E, Michalik K, Barbieri O, Astigiano S, Sommerhoff CP, Pfeffer U, Nerlich AG, Bachmeier BE. Curcumin Inhibits Prostate Cancer Metastasis in vivo by Targeting the Inflammatory Cytokines CXCL1 and -2. Carcinogenesis. 2012 Oct 5.