Curcumin may help to provide protection against colon cancer according to a new study by a Saint Louis University study published in the June 23rd issue of the Journal of Cancer.
The researchers and students looked at the line of colon cancer cells within a laboratory model and found that the cells they treated with Curcumin and then silymarin (a standardized extract of milk thistle seeds) were effective at combating cancer rather than simply treating with phytochemicals. According to Uthayashanker Ezekiel, Ph.D., the study’s corresponding author and the associate professor of biomedical laboratory science at Saint Louis University. The laboratory model looked at the line of colon cancer cells and found that by at first treating the cells with Curcumin, the Silymarin became effective in combating cancer and then treating the cells with just phytochemicals.
The study found that the combination of phytochemicals inhibited cancer cells from multiplying and spreading. Additionally, the colon cancer cells when exposed to curcumin and treated with silymarin experienced a high amount of cell death. It’s believed that the combination of phytochemicals inhibited the colon cancer cells. When the colon melanoma cells had been pre-uncovered to curcumin and treated with silymarin, the cells underwent an excessive amount of cell loss of life.
Phytochemicals can also offer alternate therapeutic approaches to cancer treatments and avoiding toxicity problems. This can often be a side effect caused by chemotherapy. Esekiel also noted that the study is a preliminary cell study and more research is required by scientists to determine if the compounds are a good treatment for men and women who have had cancer.
The use of phytochemicals and curcumin to inhibit colon cancer cells and prevent them from spreading, provides promising hope as a treatment for avoiding colon cancer. Colon cancer cells could be influenced by various factors including lifestyle and diet. Scientists have yet to provide further research into how Curcumin and Silymarin affect the molecules but it’s believed to be akin to genetic transcription and expression that the cells may be subject to change. Yet the concentrations of curcumin and silymarin could still be too harmful according to some people, so researchers need to carry out more studies into this area.
There are many health benefits of taking Curcumin and this latest research just provides further support to this notion. Taking Curcumin as a nutritional supplement therefore is highly recommended to ensure maximum absorption, as well as providing health support.
Recommended Examples
Curcuminx4000™ – This active formula containing 600mg of Meriva® (root) Curcuma longa extract has an increased antioxidant capacity and may help to support anti-inflammatory processes in the body. The properties in Curcumin can also antioxidise against free radicals and this can provide powerful support for cellular health in the long term.
