Dr. John W. Phelts, Chiropractor & Applied Kinesiologist

124 E 40th Street Suite 301, New York, NY 10016

Call (212) 286-2012

Turmeric Root

THE MAGIC SPICE: THAT KILLS CANCER, CURES ULCERS, FIGHTS JOINT INFLAMMATION, TENDONITIS, AND ECZEMA

Written By,
Dr. John W Phelts, D.C.

Turmeric root is used to make the curry spice which is very popular in the East and West Indies.  It belongs to the same family as ginger, and as you can see it even looks like ginger on the outside.  My mother is from Barbados, so I grew up accustomed to spicy curry dishes at a young age.  I loved it, because it tasted good.  Now I love it even more, because I know how beneficial it is to your health and preventing disease.  

Scientists have been studying a particular component of turmeric root known as curcumin.  In recent years, curcumin has been shown to have very powerful anti-inflammatory effects.  More recently, research has also revealed that curcumin is effective at fighting cancer.  We are also finding out that inflammation is the root of all disease.  Just as curcumin can be the venom that causes disease, curcumin is the anti-venom of all disease.  Through research and clinical studies we have found just how powerful curcumin is, as you will also find out as you continue to read.

CURCUMIN VS CANCER

The following is a list of the cancer fighting and cancer prevention properties of curcumin.

  • Prevents tumor cells from multiplying
  • Prevents normal cells from turning into tumor cells
  • Inhibits the formation of a protein that promotes tumor formation
  • It helps your body to locate and destroy cancer cells throughout your body
  • Helps prevent the development of blood supply to cancer cells, so that they die and cannot grow (angiogenesis). 3

side note: Vitamin D is also very important during treatment of and for prevention of cancer.

CURCUMIN VERSUS INFLAMMATION OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM AND ULCERS

  • A study in Thailand showed that 3 grams of curcumin/day in divided doses significantly reduced both duodenal and gastric ulcers in 12 weeks.    76% of the patients had complete healing of their ulcer.  This is monumental, because it is difficult to heal ulcers with medication.1
  • A study in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s & Proctosigmoiditis) showed improvements in inflammatory markers and disease measurements as well as a reduction or elimination of previous medications.  The dose in this study was either 550 mg curcumin twice daily or 360 mg three times per day (1st month) followed by 360 mg four times per day.  This is important, because the traditional treatment for Chron’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases is oral corticosteroids, which causes death of bone cells and destroys soft tissues, such as tendons.2
  • Curcumin is considered to be extremely safe and no toxicity is noted even at very high doses.3
  • Animal and cell culture studies have shown positive benefits for curcumin in diverse conditions such as ulcer prevention and healing, treating and preventing hepatotoxicity, direct anti-inflammatory studies (induced edema studies), reduction in advanced glycation end products (AGEs), antibacterial, anti-viral and anti-tumor to name a few.4,5

OTHER BENEFITS OF CURCUMIN:

  • Reduces symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis and reduces the need for steroidal medication
  • Suppresses eczema
  • Suppresses symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Protects against liver damage and toxicity
  • Protects against lung toxicity and fibrosis
  • Reduces cholesterol levels
  • Suppresses thrombosis (blood clot) and myocardial infarction

The studies cited in this article are based on the amount of curcumin given to the subject, not the amount of turmeric root.  The quality of turmeric root is measured by how much curcumin it contains.  A high quality turmeric root is standardized to be %95 curcumin.  We carry three products that contain high amounts of turmeric root in our nutrition store (see below).  We chose these products, because they are standardized to contain %95 curcumin.

INFLAMMACORE

Contains large amount of curcumin and formulated to manage irritable bowel syndrome and inlammatory bowel diseases such as:chron’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and ulcers.   It is also very effective for the management of joint diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Click here for more info.

INFLAMMA-BLOX

Formulated to manage chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis. Click here for more info.

 

​TRAUMERIC

Designed to help with the healing of musculoskeletal injuries such as, sprains, strains, and tendonitis. Click here for more info.

 

​TURMERIC

Turmeric root standardized to contain 95% curcumin.  Click here for more info.

 

References:

1. Holt PR, Katz S, Kirshoff R. Curcumin therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: a pilot study. Dig Dis Sci. 2005;

50(11):2191-3.

2. Prucksunand C, Indrasukhsri B, Leethochawalit M, Hungspreugs K. Phase II clinical trial on effect of the long

turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn) on healing of peptic ulcer. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2001;

32(1):208-15.

3. Aggarwal BB, Kumar A, Bharti AC. Anticancer potential of curcumin: preclinical and clinical studies. Anticancer

Res. 2003; 23(1A):363-98.

4. Chattopadhyay I, Biswas K et al. Turmeric and curcumin: Biological actions and medicinal applications. Current

Science 2004; 87(1): 44-53

5. Shishodia S, Sethi G, Aggarwal BB. Curcumin: getting back to the roots. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2005 Nov;1056:206-

Wellness Resources May 12, 2011

Genes and Nutrition May 2011; 6(2):93-108

GreenMedInfo.com Curcumin Studies

GreenMedInfo.com Turmeric Studies