Turmeric’s Affect On Cancer Caused By Smoking Cigarettes
Turmeric has been found to be a chemopreventative agent and protects DNA from the carcinogenic effects of cigarette smoke. A chemopreventative agent is one that helps prevent cancer by stopping the mutation of DNA, and a carcinogen is a substance that causes DNA mutation and cancer.
The National Cancer Institute has tested thousands of plant-based phytonutrient compounds for chemopreventative properties and turmeric has been one of the most promising. Turmeric has been found to be very effective in blocking the carcinogenic effects[1] of multiple mutagenic and cancer causing toxins.
Curcumin, the active anti-mutagenic compound in turmeric, combats cancer in all three of its development stages. Curcumin is a chemopreventative agent and blocks the initial mutation of DNA. It also combats mutated cells that are developing into clusters in the second stage of cancer. Finally, curcumin also combats mutated cells that have metastasized in the final stage of cancer.
Researchers administered turmeric to a group of cigarette smokers[2] and tested their urine for mutagens. Participants in the study were given turmeric daily for 30 days and they all experienced significant reduction in the excretion of mutagens.
Though the consumption of turmeric is helpful in blocking the carcinogenic effects of cigarette smoke, the best way to combat the carcinogenic effects of cigarette smoke is not to smoke cigarettes.
[1] New Perspectives of Curcumin in Cancer Prevention
[2] Effect of Turmeric on Urinary Mutagens in Smokers.
[3] Testing Turmeric on Smokers
Tags: anti-cancer
