Herbs & Health recently spoke to leading Perth naturopath Val Allen talks about the amazing spice emerging as a potential cancer fighter.
H&H: There is a lot of interest in Turmeric at the moment – what makes it such a valuable supplement?
VA: Up until now, herbs like Grape Seed extract were generating interest for their strong anti-oxidant properties, however Turmeric has seen a huge rise in popularity since recent clinical studies established that curcumin, the active component of Turmeric, is ten times as effective as an anti-oxidant.
H&H: What are some of the other benefits of taking Turmeric?
VA: Not only is it a powerful antioxidant, it actually increases the way other anti-oxidants work, even those you obtain from your food. Curcumin works in two ways – it scavenges free radicals, thereby reducing the risk of cellular damage. It slows down the neurological ageing process, protects the liver, helps lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (the kind of cholesterol you don’t want) and increases HDL cholesterol (the good form of cholesterol) and aids general wellbeing.
H&H: How does curcumin work as an anti-inflammatory?
VA: Traditionally Turmeric was used mainly as an anti-inflammatory but, unlike pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories that can have an irritant effect on the gastric tract, curcumin is a non-irritant so is calming and soothing to inflamed areas, as well as assisting healing. Curcumin increases gastroprotective mucus secretion, thereby protecting the stomach and intestinal walls from inflammation and ulcers caused by certain medications, stress or alcohol.
H&H: What conditions have you successfully treated with Turmeric?
VA: Arthritis and back pain, irritable bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, bowel fissures and peptic ulcers. Turmeric also helps lowers blood glucose levels so is a good adjunct therapy for those with type-2 diabetes. Turmeric has also shown promising results in treating those with asthma, which is triggered by allergies such as dust mites and pollen, as it is thought to block the response of immunoglobulin type E (IgE) antibodies, which generate the excessive immune responses characteristic in asthma and other allergic conditions. In fact, I suggest asthmatics who are resistant to corticosteroid puffers such as ventolin try a course of Turmeric as this often seems to overcome their resistance to this medication.
H&H: How does curcumin provide a neuroprotective effect?
VA: Curcumin, the active compound in Turmeric, crosses the blood brain barrier, reducing oxidation therefore improving oxygen supply and circulation to the brain. Curcumin also helps reduce the build up of amyloid plaque, which causes Alzheimer’s disease. India has only 10 per cent of the incidence of Alzheimer’s of Western countries and this is attributed both to their dietary use of Turmeric and a more vegetarian diet.
H&H: Is there any instance when you shouldn’t take Turmeric?
VA: In my opinion, Turmeric is very safe and effective and there are not many contraindications. It should not be used by people with gall bladder conditions as it stimulates bile acid secretion. Those with gall stones should use Turmeric with caution at only one 500 mg capsule daily. It is not contraindicated in pregnancy, however, again I would recommend taking only one capsule per day or using the grated root in cooking.
H&H: How does the fresh root and powder compare to a capsule?
VA: If you cook with it you need to use heat and oil to release the active component, so the most effective way to cook with Turmeric would be in a stir-fry. The root is better than the powder you buy in the supermarket which is generally only food grade and doesn’t undergo the same quality control as capsule material! You need to grate the root to release the active compound. Three tablespoons of grated root is equivalent to one tablespoon of powder. Cook with stainless steel or nonporous materials because Turmeric will stain your cookware.
H&H: How much Turmeric do I need to get health benefits?
VA: A family of four should use one tablespoon of grated root, which is equivalent to 600–1000 mg of active Turmeric, depending on root quality. Cook with it at least twice a week (using a little oil) for its preventative health benefits. For a therapeutic effect look for a capsule that ‘guarantees’ the active component curcumin. You only need a low dose to obtain therapeutic results.
H&H: What is some of the latest clinical research on Turmeric?
VA: Turmeric and quercetin are both good preventatives for colorectal polyps (a precursor to bowel cancer), so try and cook Turmeric with onions, which are a good source of quercetin. The results of a study of five patients with bowel polyps who were given 480 mg curcumin plus 20 mg quercetin three times daily for six months showed a decrease in the volume of polyps by 60 per cent and in size by 50 per cent. Animal studies have shown that Turmeric was able to clear introduced human cancer cell lines of bowel polyps and cancer. Apparently, Turmeric turns off the trigger that encourages cancer cells to grow and spread, although scientists are still trying to determine the pharmacological pathway.
H&H: Why do you prescribe Turmeric so frequently to your patients?
VA: Turmeric is an inexpensive and effective way of addressing so many health concerns and provides health-enhancing benefits. The most common feedback from my patients is that they have an increased sense of wellbeing, which disappears if they cease taking Turmeric for too long. I put this sense of wellbeing down to the fact that the liver is the energy centre of body; if your liver is working better you are naturally going to feel better.
H&H: What dose would you recommend for those over 50?
VA: One 500 mg Turmeric capsule daily for general wellbeing or two to three daily for a more therapeutic effect. Turmeric in combination with one or two 1000 mg fish oil capsules daily is a great way to keep your joints mobile.
H&H: And for younger people?
VA: For late teens to around the age of 30, Turmeric is a beneficial supplement for many conditions that affect us later in life such as arthritis, elevated cholesterol and a sluggish liver. As it improves liver function, Turmeric is especially good to take over the festive period when young people are more likely to be consuming more alcohol and junk food. Take one or two 500 mg capsules daily. I would repeat this again prior to the fl u season. In between, simply cook with Turmeric (and a little oil) twice a week.
H&H: What other vegetables and spices can you incorporate into your diet to prevent future disease?
VA: I recommend increasing stimulating foods such as Ginger in our diets, as well as bitter greens such as endive as these stimulate bile and digestive secretions. I would also consider Thai herbs such as Galangal and Lemongrass for their immune-boosting qualities.
H&H: Val, any last comments on staying healthy?
VA: We are more affluent yet we actually consume more junk food. We use the excuse that we are time-poor, but really we’re just lazy! You don’t have to cook a piece of fruit! You need to prevent disease, not just fix it once its diagnosed. It’s not hard to grow and eat your own herbs and vegetables, even if you only have a balcony or window box!
Case Study
Michael, a 39-year-old male with a 20-year history of rheumatoid arthritis affecting his hands, knees, feet and lower back, suffered agonising pain with his condition, which he rated on a scale of one to 10, as an eight. He had a long history of corticosteroid use that had lead to gastric ulcers, bleeding and irritable bowel syndrome. He was having at least five bowel movements daily and was taking eight Panadol Osteo a day. His doctor had tried him on gold injections with no improvement, and then told him to cease taking his corticosteroids. Michael started a treatment regime that included a probiotic supplement before breakfast, one Turmeric 500 mg capsule 15 minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner and 2000 mg fish oil daily.
Four weeks later, Michael rated his pain six out of 10 and was delighted that he had suffered no gastritis or abdominal pain. Bowel movements reduced to two per day, his joints were still stiff, but he was sleeping better and was only taking painkillers at night. After 16 weeks, he rated his pain at one to two out of 10, suffered only some stiffness and occasional pain, his digestion was normal and he was mobile and able to return to work, feeling 75 per cent better than he did four months previously. He was taking no painkillers and reduced his supplements to two Turmeric 500 mg daily and 2000 mg fish oil daily.
(Supplied by Val Allen)
Val Allen is one of Perth’s best recognised and most respected natural therapists, having been in full time practice since 1979. Val is a Fellow and Life Member of the Australian Natural Therapists Association. She is a sought-after media spokesperson and a regular presenter on topical issues connected with natural therapies.
Cooking with Turmeric
Curcumin is the orange-yellow component of Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a spice often found in curry powder. In recent years considerable interest has been focused on curcumin due to its ability to treat a wide variety of disorders without any side effects.
Turmeric provides hope for prostate cancer prevention and treatment
According to Cancer Council Australia, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men apart from non-melanoma skin cancers, and is the second leading cause of cancer death in Australian men. It is estimated that over 61,000 Australian men currently living have had a diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, in India the incidence of prostate cancer is very low. This has been attributed to the high consumption of plant based foods, rich in phytochemicals that have protective or disease-preventive properties. This has led scientists to investigate intervention options based on compounds found in edible and medicinal plants. Scientists tested curcumin, the active component of Turmeric, along with phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a naturally occurring substance in certain vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. The researchers used mice that had been bred so their immune systems would not reject foreign biological material, then injected the mice with cells from human prostate cancer cell lines in order to grow tumours, against which the compounds could be tested. The mice were injected with curcumin or PEITC, alone or in combination, three times a week for four weeks, beginning a day before the introduction of the prostate cancer cells. The researchers found the injections significantly retarded the growth of cancerous tumours, and the use of PEITC and curcumin together produced even stronger effects. Due to these promising findings in the role curcumin’s antioxidant properties may play in relation to prostate cancer, many patients are now combining medical therapies with these compounds as a supplementary therapy.
References: Clinical Cancer Research July 2001; Vol 7; 1894-1900. Journal of Carcinogenesis 2004; 3; 8 Science Journal April 2004; 600-602
