(19-09-06) Fighting Colon Cancer With Spices, Onions

A pill combining chemicals found in onions and
turmeric, a spice used in curries, reduced both the
size and number of precancerous lesions in the
human intestinal tract.

Previous studies on populations that consume large
amounts of curry have strongly suggested that
curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric, might be
effective in treating bowel cancer. Similarly,
quercetin, an antioxidant flavanoid contained in
onions, has been shown to inhibit growth of colon
cancer cells.

To test these substance, over six months five
patients with precancerous bowel polyps were
treated with doses of curcumin and quercetin. On
average, the number of their polyps dropped over
60 percent, and the average size of the polyps fell
by more than half. The side effects were limited to
slight nausea, sour taste and mild, short-term
diarrhea.

However, because the doses of curcumin used in
the study were many times what a person would
likely ingest in a typical diet (480 milligrams three
times a day), simply eating curry and onions may
not have the same effect.

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology August
2006; 4(8): 1035-1038
EurekAlert August 1, 2006

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In evidenza

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Per coloro che hanno problemi di salute si consiglia di consultare sempre il proprio medico curante.