Turmeric: The "Spice of Life" and Cancer Prevention

Spice as Medicine...Turmeric

Curcumin is a polyphenoIic flavonoid compound derived from the rhizome of the herb Curcuma longa better known as the cooking spice turmeric. Turmeric has a very long history of use as a cooking spice and as a medicinal or healing herb in various traditional healing systems. Extensive research over the last half century has revealed some important medicinal qualities of its flavonoid compound curcumin.

Curcumin is the Flavonoid Compound in Turmeric

In vitro (cell cultures) and in vivo (animal and human) research has shown curcumin to have various medical activities. 

• It is a very potent anti-inflammatory agent reducing the pain, swelling and tissue damage due to acute and chronic inflammatory responses. It does this by modifying the release of various pro-inflammatory chemicals such as cytokines and cytokine releasing factors like NF Kapa B. 
• It is also a very potent antioxidant and has immunomodulatory capabilities. Most recently, extensive research has indicated curcumin to also be a strong anticancer agent not only useful for preventing cancer but also useful in treating cancer.

Curcumin as an Anticancer Agent

The anticancer potential of curcumin stems from its ability to suppress activation and proliferation of a wide variety of cancer cells by:

1. Down-regulating transcription factors and the expression of pro-inflammatory chemicals that stimulate early cancerous changes in normal cells; 
2. Down-regulating growth factor receptors and inhibiting certain enzymes (kinases) that stimulate the transformation and proliferation of cancer cells. 

This results in curcumin’s ability, as evidenced in many studies, to suppress three important and primary phases of cancer development: tumor initiation, promotion and metastasis.

Curcumin also “turns back on” the cancer cells’ “self-destruct” switch (apoptosis) that was turned off by the cancer process. When this self-destruct mechanism is turned back on, the cancer cells are less proliferative and become more responsive and less resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. This means more cancer cells will die in response to chemotherapy or radiotherapy if curcumin is given before and throughout those therapies.

Actual clinical trials have shown curcumin to be a strong chemoprevention agent in colon and pancreatic cancer, cervical neoplasia and Barrets metaplasia (early cancerous changes in the esophagus). Clinical research with curcumin, along with the anti-metabolite, chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine in the treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma, produced an impressive response. Curcumin's potent anti-proliferative activity appears to potentiate the anti-tumor effect of gemcitabine.

Meriva: Safe and Effective

Accumulating experimental evidence suggests that curcumin interferes with a variety of molecular targets and processes involved in cancer making it a promising natural agent in the prevention and co-treatment of cancer. Further, data obtained in multiple preclinical models, as well as in preliminary clinical trials, have documented minimal toxicity of curcumin, even at relatively high doses. However, some clinical studies with healthy volunteers revealed a low bioavailability of curcumin as it was not well absorbed from the bowel into systemic circulation or easily incorporated into the cells. This could be a problem when a therapeutic dose is needed in specific tissues of the body. So, research into methods to increase absorption and utilization of curcumin has been done and a particular form of curcumin named Meriva has been developed.

Meriva is curcumin formulated with phosphatidylcholine (a naturally occurring fat-soluble agent). The studies that followed showed Meriva to deliver higher systemic levels of the curcumin than simple, unformulated curcumin. Further studies have shown Meriva also increases the efficacy of curcumin as an anticancer agent because of its improved absorption and systemic delivery.

Take-aways...Curcumin as Meriva

Curcumin as Meriva can be a simple and nontoxic way to prevent cancer on a daily supplemental basis. If you have cancer and are undergoing treatment, Meriva can also be a reasonable and effective adjunct to that treatment. Talk to your health care practitioner about this. See what is possible for you.

Our Best-Selling Curcumin / Meriva Products at TheDispensaryOnline.com

Meriva-SR
Meriva-SR is a unique, patented time-release curcumin product.

Curcumin Extract
A well-studied, potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer herb standardized for its active constituents.

There's More to Learn About Curcumin / Meriva

Curcumin as Meriva

Turmeric Anti-Cancer Studies and other Benefits

References

Kunnumakkara AB, et al: “Curcumin inhibits proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis of different cancers through interaction with multiple cell signaling proteins.” Cancer Letters. 2008; 269: 199-225.

Bar-Sela G, et al. “Curcumin as an anti-cancer agent: Review of the gap between basic and clinical applications.” Curr Med Chem. 2010 Jan; 17(3): 190-7.

Ravindran J, et al: “Curcumin and cancer cells: how many ways can curry kill tumor cells selectively?” AAPS J. 2009 Sep;11(3):495-510. Epub 2009 Jul 10.

Marczylo T, et al: “Comparison of systemic availability of curcumin with that of curcumin formulated with phosphatidylcholine.” Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2007 Jul;60(2):171-7. Epub 2006 Oct 19.

Bisht S, Maitra A: “Systemic delivery of curcumin: 21st century solutions for an ancient conundrum.” Curr Drug Discov Technol. 2009 Sep;6(3):192-9. Epub 2009 Sep 1.

Vitamin D

Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D during winter months is very difficult in some areas of the world.

Our bodies manufacture vitamin D on exposure to sunshine. However, sufficient levels of sun exposure are needed to assure adequate levels. In many areas of the world such as the northern latitudes, adequate exposure to sunlight is so lacking during the winter months that our body makes no vitamin D at all. We must then rely on dietary supplements and fortified foods to boost intakes of vitamin D.

Essential Information about Vitamin D

The scientific, peer-reviewed literature is becoming quite robust with evidence suggesting vitamin D deficiency may cause or exacerbate osteopenia; osteoporosis; muscle weakness; multiple sclerosis; fractures; common cancers particularly cancers of the prostate, breast and colon; autoimmune inflammatory diseases; infectious diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. There is also some evidence that vitamin D may reduce the incidence of several types of cancer, type-1 diabetes and inflammatory disorders. Evidence also suggests Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may be caused by vitamin D deficiency and it may also exacerbate depression.

The US and Canadian governments will be sponsoring a review of vitamin D and calcium that may lead to the establishment of higher recommended daily intakes. The review, which is to be conducted by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), will involve an examination of all available science to date.

Commentary from Dr. Patrick Donovan of TheDispensaryOnline.com

Vitamin D as an Anti-Cancer Agent

We doctors in the northwest commonly find many of our patients' vitamin D (25 OH) levels below the normal range of 32.0 - 100.0 and actively replete these low levels with oral doses of vitamin D3 in the range of 1,000 IU - 5,000 IU daily and then recheck levels in 8 - 12 weeks.

Vitamin D refers to two biologically inactive precursors - D3, also known as cholecalciferol, and D2, also known as ergocalciferol. The former, produced in the skin on exposure to UVB radiation (290 to 320 nm), is said to be more bioactive.

Vitamin D3 is the best absorbed and utilized form of oral vitamin D. We STRONGLY suggest vitamin D supplementation over 1,000 IU daily be done under the guidance of a licensed health care provider. We also suggest vitamin D levels be checked once or twice yearly depending on what part of the world you live in (sun exposure) and various disease conditions you may suffer from or be at risk for (osteopenia or osteoporosis, cancer, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune inflammatory diseases, depression, fibromyalgia).

Our Most Popular Vitamin D's - TheDispensaryOnline.com

D-1000
Contains 1,000 IU of pure vitamin D3 per capsule without hidden ingredients like lactose, BHT, BHA, sodium benzoate, and sorbic acid. Supports cardiovascular, immune, and bone health.

D-10,000
For individuals needing high-dose vitamin D supplementation.

D-5000
For individuals desiring higher amounts of vitamin D supplementation without hidden ingredients like lactose, BHT, BHA, sodium benzoate, and sorbic acid. Supports cardiovascular, immune, and bone health.

Liquid Vitamin D
Vitamin D in liquid for easy dosing.

There's More to Learn About Vitamin D

Vitamin D: the wonder vitamin

Vitamin D is an active hormone in the body

Reference
M.L. Nelson, J.M. Blum, B.W. Hollis, C. Rosen, S.S. Sullivan: "Supplements of 20 ug/d Cholecalciferol Optimized Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations in 80% of Premenopausal Women in Winter” Journal of Nutrition. 2009, Volume 139, Pages 540-546, doi:10.3945/jn. 108.096180. 

Resveratrol as an Anti-Influenza Drug

Resveratrol (available here as Res-Vis-Atrol), is a chemical found in grapes and other fruits.  

Resveratrol is a member of a large group of naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds called flavonols or flavonoids. These compounds are some of the strongest antioxidants known and provide much of the color we see around us in the natural world particularly the blues, reds, purples and violets.

New research by Anna T. Palamara and colleagues at the University of Rome, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, has shown resveratrol to inhibit the reproduction of influenza viruses in cell culture and in mice by blocking host-cell functions that are essential for viral replication rather than attacking the virus itself. Quoting the researchers, "Resveratrol acts by inhibiting a cellular, rather than a viral, function" and due to this they went on to say "resveratrol could be a particularly valuable anti-influenza drug."

Resveratrol was also shown to significantly improve survival and decrease pulmonary viral titers in influenza virus–infected mice. No toxic effects were observed in either the cell cultures or with the mice.

In cell-culture experiments, treatment with resveratrol was shown to reduce flu virus replication by up to 90% without damage to the cells. 

Treating cell cultures early after infection (3 hours after infection) resulted in an 87.5% reduction in viral growth. However, if treatment began 9 hours or greater after infection, resveratrol treatment had no significant benefit. Researchers concluded from these findings that resveratrol interferes with the manufacture of proteins made late in the viral replication process and limits the transport of viral ribonucleoproteins from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm.

The authors also determined that the molecular mechanism for resveratrol's effects has to do with the inhibition of protein kinase C activity and its dependent pathways. In the tests on mice, the researchers found that resveratrol treatment increased survival by 40% in treated mice. Further, the level of virus found in the lungs of the treated mice 6 days after infection was 98% lower than in the placebo treated group.

According to Dr. Palamara's team, resveratrol's ability to block host-cell functions needed by flu viruses to replicate, gives resveratrol an advantage over other existing anti-flu drugs. Resveratrol would be less likely to induce resistance by flu viruses and would be more likely to be effective for all types and strains of flu virus. The research team therefore concuded, "For these reasons, resveratrol merits further investigation as a potential weapon for combating the growing threat of influenza."

Commentary

Resveratrol is an antioxidant that is found in at least 72 plant species. It is known to help protect the heart and nervous system and help prevent cancer. It also has strong anti-aging effects on cells via its antioxidant activity. Its common concentration in red wine is 1.5-3.0 mg/L. The higher concentrations are found in those wines produced in the traditional or "old world style" where stems and seeds are included in the press. Although drinking red wine is a wonderful way to get your dose of resveratrol, the alcohol component can undermine its benefits when trying to fight the flu or prevent some cancers such as breast cancer.

Therefore, we suggest supplementing with a pharmaceutical-grade, standardized concentrate of resveratrol on a daily basis throughout the flu season at levels that can successfully ward off infection and/or reduce infective symptoms and pathology. This should be an integral part of your flu treatment and prevention in concert with standard and conventional therapies prescribed by your health care provider.

An additional note from Dr. Patrick Donovan of TheDispensaryOnline: 

As a Naturopathic Physician, I find the most interesting aspect demonstrated by this research article is the value realized by stimulating host defense mechanisms over just trying to "kill the virus." There are two aspects to the infection equation: the strength of the infective agent (virility and dose) and the level of host resistance. If the level of host resistance is greater than the strength of the infective agent, the morbidity and mortality of the host is significantly reduced and/or prevented. This is the foundation of naturopathic medicine. It is the typical naturopathic approach to all illness i.e., optimize host resistance and vitality... optimize your health. 

Our Most Popular Resveratrol - TheDispensaryOnline.com

Resveratrol plus Flavinoids
Red wine in a capsule.

Res-Vis-Atrol
So much more than a glass of wine.

Polyresveratrol-SR
Pure resveratrol with synergistic ingredients.

There's More to Learn About Resveratrol

Breakthroughs in Resveratrol

Resveratrol and the Aging Process