Spice of Life: Turmeric Tamps Tumor Risk

The findings are delicious indeed: University of Missouri researchers are stirring up some intriguing findings regarding the potential for a turmeric derivative to ward off breast cancer in post-menopausal women who have had hormone replacement therapy.

The compound in question is curcumin, which is a principal component of popular Indian spice turmeric and is not to be confused with cumin (cumin is a member of the parsley family, while turmeric is related to ginger).

The Missouri study involved response to curcumin by a group of women who have had hormone replacement following menopause. Among the noted risks associated with hormone replacement therapy is an increased risk for certain types of breast cancer.

What they found was that initial onset of cancerous cells was delayed and overall incidence of cancer was lessened. The docs aren't simply cooking up a delicious treatment in an effort to curry favor: Turmeric's use in medicine is in fact centuries old, and has been demonstrated to exhibit antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Photo courtesy of ampersandyslexia, via Flickr.