Curry ingredient kills cancer cells, say cancer researchers

Experts say that turmeric, a spice that is a key ingredient in Indian curry dishes, contains a potent cancer-fighting agent.

A chemical pigment in turmeric called curcumin has been thought for some time now to have healing powers.  It has been used to treat arthritis and dementia.

New clinical tests by Dr. Sharon McKenna and her team at the Cork Cancer Research Center have shown that curcumin can destroy gullet or cancer of the oesophagus.

Dr. Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at Cancer Research UK, said:  ”This is interesting research which opens up the possibility that natural chemicals found in turmeric could be developed into new treatments for oesophagal cancer.

“Rates of oesophageal cancer rates have gone up by more than a half since the ’70s and this is thought to be linked to rising rates of obesity, alcohol intake, and reflux disease so finding ways to prevent this disease is important too.”

It is said that around 7,800 people are diagnosed with oesophagal cancer in the UK every year, accounting for five percent of cancer deaths.

[via bbc.co.uk]