Last year, a study by Penn State researchers revealed that an antioxidant-rich spice blend made of turmeric, rosemary, oregano, cinnamon, black pepper, cloves, garlic powder and paprika could reduce your insulin levels by 21 percent, and your triglycerides by 31 percent when added to a meal.
Separate research has shown that turmeric and its active compound curcumin reduced blood sugar in diabetic rates, leading to less insulin sensitivity and lowered oxidative stress.
A persistent question has been: How can a single agent possess such diverse effects? Part of the answer lies in the herb’s ability to affect signaling molecules. For example, curcumin has been shown to directly interact with:
| Inflammatory molecules | Cell survival proteins | Histone |
| Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV1) integrase and protease | DNA and RNA | Various carrier proteins and metal ions |
Curcumin has been shown to influence more than 700 genes, and it can positively modulate both the activity and the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and 5-lipooxygenase (5-LOX), as well as other enzymes that are involved in pathological states of excessive inflammation.
Curcumin currently has the most evidence-based literature supporting its use against cancer among all nutrients. Interestingly this also includes the metabolite of curcumin and its derivatives, which are also anti-cancerous. Best of all, curcumin appears to be safe in the treatment of all cancers, and has been shown to be nontoxic. Researchers have found that curcumin can affect more than 100 different pathways, once it gets into the cell. More specifically, curcumin has been found to:
| Inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells | Decrease inflammation |
| Inhibit the transformation of cells from normal to tumor | Inhibit the synthesis of a protein thought to be instrumental in tumor formation |
| Help your body destroy mutated cancer cells so they cannot spread throughout your body | Help prevent the development of additional blood supply necessary for cancer cell growth (angiogenesis) |
| Have chemosensitizing activity | Have radiosensitizing activity |
Curcumin is difficult for your body to absorb, so for tips on how to most effectively use curcumin, see the guidelines in this article. Another study, published in the Natural Product Reports describes curcumin as being therapeutic for a wide range of diseases aside from cancer,such as:
| Lung- and liver diseases | Neurological diseases | Metabolic diseases |
| Autoimmune disorders | Cardiovascular diseases | Inflammatory diseases |
