Spices Fight Breast Cancer
Posted 12/20/2009
Posted in
Here is a study that I love. Although this is very early data and nothing that could be clinically useful for years, if ever, I just love the idea that researchers are exploring all possible avenues for treatment. And the consideration of the value of Indian spices is great and encourages me to pull out my Indian cookbooks.
Here is a quote and then a link to read more:
Spices Halt Growth of Breast Stem Cells, Study Finds
ScienceDaily (Dec. 8, 2009) — A new study finds that compounds derived from the spices turmeric and pepper could help prevent breast cancer by limiting the growth of stem cells, the small number of cells that fuel a tumor's growth.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have found that when the dietary compounds curcumin, which is derived from the Indian spice turmeric, and piperine, derived from black peppers, were applied to breast cells in culture, they decreased the number of stem cells while having no effect on normal differentiated cells.
"If we can limit the number of stem cells, we can limit the number of cells with potential to form tumors," says lead author Madhuri Kakarala, M.D., Ph.D., R.D., clinical lecturer in internal medicine at the U-M Medical School and a research investigator at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091207181422.htm
Tags: