Introduction

Turmeric, a spice commonly used in South Asian cooking, has been the subject of numerous studies investigating its potential health benefits.

For decades, traditional medicine used turmeric to treat a wide range of diseases including inflammation, digestive problems, and skin illnesses. Curcumin, the main chemical in turmeric, may also have anti-cancer effects, according to recent studies. So, is it time to raise your intake? 

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, emerges from Southeast Asia, predominantly commercially grown in India. Its underground stem, known as the rhizome, has been traditionally used for medicinal and culinary purposes.

Turmeric is a popular condiment and is found in considerable quantities in curry powder. Turmeric's primary component, curcumin, and one of its closely related compounds, curcuminoids, are responsible for most of its health advantages. Curcumin, an active component, scientifically known as "Curcuma longa", bears the chemical name "diferuloylmethane" and has a chemical formula of C21 H20 O6. Within the extensive array of medicinal herbs, curcumin stands out as a potent ingredient. Its yellow colour is derived from curcumin.¹

Historically, this spice has been employed in East Asian traditional medicinal systems, like Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, along with other conventional Indian healthcare techniques. In India, it has a history of being used to treat skin issues, upper respiratory tract infections, joint ailments, and digestive problems. 

Health benefits of Turmeric

While curcumin has a limited bioavailability (not much of it reaches the bloodstream when taken orally) and is unstable (it readily transforms into other substances), turmeric and curcumin have several intriguing biological functions that make them difficult to investigate. Furthermore, curcumin products could include other chemicals or different amounts of substances than predicted, which complicates the interpretation and comparison of research findings. The advantages of turmeric and its constituents for various health disorders have not been conclusively determined because of the complexity and lack of understanding of their activities in humans. Several studies aimed to assess the clinical benefits of curcumin in various types of cancer through a systematic review methodology. Curcumin has demonstrated its anti-cancer effects in both pre-clinical and clinical investigations.

Studies have shown the following:

General benefits

Turmeric is known to naturally possess curcumin, a compound that exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This natural ingredient is extensively advocated for its potential to alleviate joint pain, enhance mobility, and offer various benefits for digestion, depression, immunity, heart health, memory, and cognitive function.

Knee Relief

Turmeric seems to affect the function of the knee in those suffering from osteoarthritis. The effects resemble those of NSAIDs, according to a limited number of studies. It's still unknown what the ideal dosage, frequency, and composition are at this point.²

Weight management

Moreover, some studies indicate that curcumin helps you lose weight too. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties and anti-obesity potential of turmeric it can help healthily cut the bulge.³

Anti-inflammatory benefits

A recent publication in the European Journal of Nutrition revealed that curcumin, an antioxidant, effectively inhibits inflammation in adipose, pancreatic, and muscular cells. This remarkable property of curcumin holds the potential to mitigate various metabolic conditions such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycaemia, and more.

Antioxidant action

Free radicals and toxic byproducts that arise from oxidative stress have a significant impact on the initial phases of cancer development. Consequently, substances possessing antioxidant properties can prove beneficial in the prevention of cancer formation. Hence, Curcumin possesses the ability to effectively capture free radicals, thereby playing a pivotal role in impeding the onset of cancer. Numerous cellular and preclinical investigations have documented that curcumin hinders DNA damage induced by oxidative factors, including ionising radiation, by suppressing the activity of free radicals and active oxygen species. 

Enzyme modulation

Curcumin has been found to possess the ability to hinder and stimulate two enzymes, thereby preventing the development and expansion of tumours. Studies have indicated that curcumin effectively targets liver enzymes that are essential for the breakdown and elimination of harmful substances, inhibiting the production of toxic metabolites and carcinogens by Phase I enzymes. Additionally, curcumin activates Phase II enzymes, which are vital for the detoxification of toxic metabolites.

Anti-cancer effects

Numerous studies included in this comprehensive review have demonstrated that the consumption of curcumin can enhance the expression of anti-metastatic proteins. Additionally, several other studies have reported that curcumin supplementation not only improves patient survival rates but also reduces the concentration of tumour markers.

The findings from several studies have indicated that the compound Curcumin has the potential to hinder tumour growth and decrease their size. It has been observed that Curcumin can impede the development of cancer and the spread of cancerous cells by exerting anti-angiogenic effects, inducing apoptosis, and interfering with the cell proliferation cycle. Curcumin employs various mechanisms to exert its anti-cancer effects. It inhibits and suppresses the proliferation of a wide range of cancer cells, thereby reducing the modulation of anti-apoptotic gene products, activating caspase, and upregulating cancer-suppressive genes like P53.⁴

 Additionally, Curcumin has been found to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, including skin complications. The survival rates of cancer patients and their symptoms related to chemotherapy have shown improvement depending on the prescribed doses of Curcumin.⁴

Moreover, Curcumin has demonstrated its anticancer properties on different types of cancers, including breast, liver, lung, gastric, and prostate cancers.⁵

Although the exact mechanism is still unknown, initial studies have shown that curcumin has multiple therapeutic benefits on colon cancer, targeting multiple pathways and exhibiting molecular docking capabilities. By regulating signalling pathways and cell cycle, curcumin has the potential to inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells.⁶

Side effects of Turmeric

Incorporating turmeric into your daily meals can be effortlessly achieved through various methods. You may choose to include it as a spice to enhance the flavour of your dishes or opt for turmeric supplements. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that turmeric has the potential to interact with specific medications. Therefore, it is advisable to consult your doctor before integrating it into your dietary routine.

The kidneys can be impacted by turmeric due to the presence of curcumin, which contains significant levels of oxalates. These oxalates can raise the likelihood of kidney stones and disrupt the proper functioning of this essential organ. Furthermore, curcumin possesses a hot potency that is frequently linked to symptoms such as diarrhoea and indigestion. Moreover, excessive consumption of turmeric can result in blood thinning as it aids in reducing blood clotting. Consequently, the excessive intake of turmeric can have adverse effects on liver health.

The consumption of turmeric can have a positive impact on liver health due to its ability to reduce inflammation and slow down the progression of fibroids. Additionally, turmeric possesses anti-cancer properties that contribute to the overall health of the liver. However, it is important to consume turmeric in moderation as excessive intake has been associated with a low rate of transient serum enzyme elevations, as indicated by a study on liver functioning published in the National Library of Medicine.

FAQ’s

Is it ok to take turmeric every day?

Turmeric is generally considered safe for short-term use when taken orally. Turmeric products containing up to 8 grams of curcumin per day appear to be safe for a duration of 2 months. Additionally, consuming up to 3 grams of turmeric daily seems to be safe for up to 3 months. In general, turmeric does not typically result in any significant adverse effects.

What organ is turmeric good for?

Turmeric possesses a wide range of health benefits that extend beyond targeting a particular organ. Instead, it has been scientifically proven to exert a favourable influence on the entire body. The compound curcumin, present in turmeric, exhibits remarkable anti-inflammatory properties that aid in diminishing inflammation throughout the body. Given that inflammation is a contributing factor in numerous chronic ailments, mitigating it can significantly enhance overall well-being.

Who should not take turmeric?

Individuals who have liver or bile duct issues should refrain from consuming turmeric supplements, as they have the potential to enhance bile production. However, incorporating turmeric into cooking is generally safe. Nevertheless, it is important not to assume that food and beverages, such as turmeric lattes, which promote the use of turmeric, are inherently beneficial for health. Turmeric may be unsafe for use during pregnancy in amounts greater than those commonly found in food. Little is known about whether it’s safe to use turmeric in amounts greater than those commonly found in food while breastfeeding.

Summary

Turmeric, a bright yellow spice extracted from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, has long been used in traditional medicine systems throughout Asia. Its active compound, curcumin, has gained considerable attention for its potential health benefits, such as its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Recent research indicates that curcumin may also have a role to play in preventing cancer. However, it is important to consult healthcare professionals before incorporating turmeric or curcumin into your daily routine. Adding turmeric to your diet or considering curcumin supplements could be a natural step toward improving your overall health and well-being.

It is important to remember that cancer prevention is multifaceted, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle, along with regular medical check-ups, remains crucial in reducing the risk of cancer.