The official response is no. Turmeric is unlikely to prevent the development or recurrence of breast cancer on its alone.
Keep in mind that several studies have revealed that curcumin — the chemical molecule contained in turmeric — has numerous potential health advantages, some of which are tied to cancer prevention and therapy. However, it is not readily metabolised in the body.
While curcumin has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of a range of malignancies, including breast cancer, researchers have met challenges when employing it as a therapeutic.
So, although turmeric may have a lot of health advantages and may even help prevent certain malignancies, it is not a substitute for established, standard therapies. Continue reading to find out more.
Is turmeric associated with breast cancer?
TurmericTrusted Source, a member of the ginger family, contains the active component curcumin.
Turmeric is a popular spice in traditional Indian food, particularly curry powder, and has a long history of usage in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.
Turmeric, which is known for its brilliant yellow hue, has been linked with good health for ages – and for good reason.
Curcumin, as a chemical, has been found to have favourable health impacts on many different regions of the body. Curcumin has been found in certain trials to be useful in the treatment of breast cancer in a variety of ways, including:
inhibiting cancer cell growth reducing cancer cell spread halting the cycle of reproduction in cancer cells resulting in cancer cell annihilation
It's even been hypothesised that curcumin is especially beneficial against specific forms of breast cancer since it has estrogen-lowering qualities. Estrogen is a reproductive hormone that is thought to have a role in the development and spread of around 70% of breast cancer types.
Curcumin may even be effective in preventing the formation of breast cancer stem cells, according to a 2018 study. This is a key step in avoiding the recurrence of breast cancer in patients who have previously been treated for it.
The Arimidex pill is used to treat early breast cancer in postmenopausal women, either alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery or radiation. It may also be used as first-line treatment for advanced breast cancer that has spread to other regions of the body, according to the American Cancer Society.
Is there anything else turmeric can do for your health?
Curcumin, which is present in turmeric, may improve the efficacy of chemotherapies in treating cancer while also lowering undesirable or unpleasant side effects. This was indicated in a 2019 reviewTrusted Source published in the journal Molecules that focused on curcumin combination chemotherapy.
Aside from cancer-specific advantages, curcumin has also been linked to physical health benefits that may aid your body's battle against cancer. Trusted Source has identified curcumin as an:
antioxidant \santi-inflammatory \santimicrobial \santiviral
Turmeric is often used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat:
digestive issues
Wounds, arthritis, and menstruation problems
issues with the liver, stomach discomfort, and circulation
How should turmeric be consumed?
Turmeric is a blooming plant native to tropical regions. The turmeric plant's root is dried and cut or crushed into a fine powder for use as a spice or medicine. Turmeric may be found in many markets and grocery shops, either chopped or powdered.
This powder may be immediately added to meals for taste or colour when used in cooking. The prevailing agreement is that 500 to 2,000 milligrammes (mg) per day is sufficient whether taken medicinally or as a nutritional supplement.
You'll need roughly 2 tablespoons of this yellow powder to receive 500 mg of turmeric, so eating 2,000 mg straight or via food might be difficult if you don't like the flavour or texture.
However, turmeric is available in a variety of forms that may be added to your diet without consuming it. Although liquid extracts are the most strong, turmeric supplements are available as capsules, tablets, and gummies.
What more can I do to protect myself against breast cancer?
Some breast cancer causes are avoidable, while others are not.
Breast cancer may be passed down through families via genetic abnormalities, which raise your chance of acquiring the disease, particularly when combined with lifestyle or environmental factors.
However, some lifestyle habits may help lower your risk or possibly avoid breast cancer entirely.
Although no disease can be totally avoided, you may minimise your chances of having breast cancer by doing the following:
keeping a healthy weight
consuming a well-balanced diet
avoiding or limiting alcohol consumption
If possible, avoid hormonal treatment after menopause by nursing.
Consult a doctor if you suspect that a hereditary type of breast cancer runs in your family. A doctor may advise you on how to avoid breast cancer by recommending:
enhanced screening for breast cancer
Prophylactic surgery, or the removal of an organ before it develops cancer, genetic testing and counselling drugs to help minimise your risk
The main point
Curcumin, contained in turmeric, has been shown in studies to have a variety of health advantages, including the ability to fight or even prevent breast cancer and other malignancies.
Although it is uncertain how turmeric should be used medicinally, it may be utilised as a complimentary therapy with other therapies such as chemotherapy in many circumstances.
Before using turmeric or any other supplements, consult your doctor. While these supplements may be beneficial, an effective cancer treatment strategy involves several factors.
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