Cancer and tumor prevention
Growing research over the last few decades indicates that compounds in turmeric have many important functions. These turmeric ingredients bind to a variety of proteins and inhibit the activity of various kinases. By influencing the activation of various transcription factors, turmeric compounds regulate the expression of inflammatory enzymes, cytokines, adhesion molecules, and cell survival proteins. Substances in turmeric also downregulate cyclin D1, cyclin E and MDM2; and upregulates p21, p27, and p53. Turmeric has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities and thus has a potential against various malignant diseases, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic illnesses.
   Turmeric may help fight cancer, including prostate cancer. Curcumin, a component of turmeric, has been shown to suppress inflammation and angiogenesis largely by inhibiting the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB).
   Curcumin helps fight cancer. Researchers have found in the lab that the active ingredient in turmeric, called curcumin, can enhance the cancer-fighting power of treatment with TRAIL, a naturally occurring molecule that helps kill cancer cells. TRAIL stands for tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. In an experiment with human prostate cancer cells in a laboratory dish, the combination treatment killed off two to three times more cells than either treatment alone.
   Turmeric may also help suppress multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, early lab research shows--suggesting yet another health benefit from this long-heralded substance. Adding curcumin to human cells with the blood cancer multiple myeloma, Dr. Bharat B. Aggarwal of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and his colleagues found, stopped the cells from replicating. And the cells that were left died. Although the study did not test the benefits of curcumin in patients, previous research has shown the substance may fight other types of cancers..
   Turmeric exerts multiple different suppressive effects on human breast carcinoma cells in vitro.
   In a test tube study, turmeric extract curcumin was found to have anticancer effects on human Burkitt's lymphoma.  

Q. My mother has metastatic kidney cancer (Urothelial) in her liver. She had her kidney removed in 2007 and found that her cancer had spread to her liver. She was receiving chemo therapy (Gemzar with Carboplatin and then changed to taxotere) for 4 months when she started having complications that put her in the hospital. She will be resuming chemo therapy in March 2009 with Gemzar. Will taking turmeric root in capsule form have any negative reaction to her chemo therapy? If not, what would be the recommended dose for her? She would like to take turmeric root since it may slow down the production of cancer cells.
   A. It is very difficult to predict the interactions between natural supplements and medications, particularly potent chemotherapy drugs. Turmeric cancer research has been mostly limited to in vitro studies and it is not clear whether taking turmeric capsules benefits those with cancer.

Turmeric and arthritis
In vitro studies show turmeric extract decreases the expression levels of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA and protein without causing significant changes in the COX-1 levels. This is correlated with the inhibition of prostaglandin E(2) synthesis. Turmeric extracts might help reduce hyperplasia of the synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis.

Adverse effects, kidney stones?
Am J Clin Nutr. 2008. Effect of cinnamon and turmeric on urinary oxalate excretion, plasma lipids, and plasma glucose in healthy subjects. This study assessed urinary oxalate excretion from supplemental doses of cinnamon and turmeric as well as changes in fasting plasma glucose, cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations. The percentage of oxalate that was water soluble differed markedly between cinnamon (6%) and turmeric (91%), which appeared to be the primary cause of the greater urinary oxalate excretion/oxalate absorption from turmeric. The consumption of supplemental doses of turmeric, but not cinnamon, can significantly increase urinary oxalate levels, thereby increasing risk of kidney stone formation in susceptible individuals.
   Comment: We have not seen human studies yet where turmeric ingestion has increased the rate of kidney stone formation.

Turmeric Plant Research
Antimutagenic potential of curcumin on chromosomal aberrations in Wistar rats.
Environmental Carcinogenesis Division, Industrial Toxicology research Centre, Lucknow, India
Curcumin, a yellow pigment commonly used as a spice and food coloring agent is obtained from rhizomes of Curcuma longa and is a major chemopreventive component of turmeric. In the present set of investigations the antimutagenic potential of curcumin has been evaluated using in vivo chromosomal aberration assay in Wistar rats. Cyclophosphamide (CP), a well-known mutagen was given by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection at the dose of 40mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Curcumin was given at the dose of 100 and 200mg/kg b.w. through gastric intubation for seven consecutive days prior to CP treatment. The animals were sacrificed at the sampling time of 24h after treatment and their bone marrow tissue was analyzed for chromosomal damage and mitotic index. In CP treated animals a significant induction of chromosomal aberration was recorded with decrease in mitotic index. However, in curcumin-supplemented animals, no significant induction in chromosomal damage or change in mitotic index was recorded. In different curcumin-supplemented groups, a dose dependent significant decrease in CP induced clastogenicity was recorded. The incidence of aberrant cells was found to be reduced by both the doses of curcumin when compared to CP treated group. The anticytotoxic potential of curcumin towards CP was also evident as the status of mitotic index was found to show increment. The study revealed the antigenotoxic potential of curcumin against CP induced chromosomal mutations.

Turmeric suppliers and turmeric products
We want to introduce our newest patent pending BCM-95 (Standardized Turmeric extract for Curcuminoid Complex, Septripinoids and vaious Volatile Oils). BCM-95 has been clinically proven for enhanced Bio-absorption and Bio-availability in the body (Clincal study revealed that the Bio-absorption of BCM-95 is 90-93% while regular Turmeric extract is 40-50% and the Bio-availability of BCM-95 is 7-8 time more than regular Turmeric Extract). One of the study is a published in Spice India and the second study was conducted on Softgels that was manufactured by Tishcon Corp under the trade name of Curcugel. Tishcon Corporation is doing a study with The Ohio State University to conduct a Caco 2 Cell Culture Study. We also have signed up with Trident Life Sciences to conduct a Human clinical Study on the Absorption and Bio-availability of BCM-95 and do a comparison. I would like to inform to you that the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India has proposed 12 months and 102 patients Chemoprevention Clinical Trial of BCM-95 in Oral preligament / Lesions for Head and Neck Cancer at Amrita Institute of Medical College in Cochin and Ragas Dental College and Hospital in Chennai. Please let me know if you would be interested in learning more about our BCM-95. Kindest regards Nipen Lavingia.

Turmeric supplement and pill questions
Q. What is a good dosage of turmeric capsule to take daily for overall health reasons?
   A. There is no set guidelines, but one or two turmeric capsules a day should be fine. Each turmeric capsule could contain about 500 mg of a combination turmeric curcumin extract.

Q. Can mangosteen supplement at 500 mg, acai, and turmeric supplement at 500 mg be taken together?
   A. We don't see any problems with this combination and dosages, including acai extract. They are both mild herbal supplements and don't seem to affect heart rate.

Q. Would taking a turmeric supplement increase libido?
   A. We are not aware of turmeric having a quick effect on libido. There are many herbs that enhance sexual passion in a much more noticeable way.

Q. I wanted to report that taking a turmeric capsule in the morning followed by a yohimbe supplement in the evening did not increase the normal effects from yohimbe alone.

I would like to no if i can take turmeic Powder as a tea or in my foods without a gall bladder. I have read if you don't have a gall bladder not to take it.
    We are not aware of any research that supports the view that turmeric cannot be sued by those without a gallbladder.

I read that turmeric was good for people with Asthmatic Bronchitis. Is this true? And do you know of anything else that I can take for it.
   As of June 2010 we are not aware of any specific studies in humans regarding the use of this spice supplement as a treatment for asthma.