| In a recent study concerning turmeric and skin | | | | Volunteers have been recruited for studies |
| cancer, as well as a few other plants in the ginger | | | | concerning other types of cancer, as well as for |
| family, researchers determined that the plant | | | | liver disorders, Alzheimer's and arthritis. |
| extracts act by inhibiting oxidative stress and | | | | In 2005, the Wall Street Journal reported that the |
| improving antioxidant defenses, which "might" be | | | | research concerning curcumin was "exploding". |
| why the extracts protect against UVA associated | | | | Curcumin is believed to be the medicinally active |
| melanoma. Other studies have shown that there | | | | component of the spice. |
| is a protective effect, but the mechanism of | | | | Other plants in the same family have different |
| action is, as yet, unclear. | | | | medicinal activities, including ginger. The active |
| When researchers are investigating the benefits | | | | compounds in ginger are referred to as gingerol. It |
| of drugs and natural compounds, they usually try | | | | works well for dizziness, nausea, motion sickness, |
| to explain "how" it works. Although in the case of | | | | tinnitus and Meniere's disease among other health |
| many drugs on the market, including popular | | | | problems. |
| antidepressants, researchers were never able to | | | | Any plant that has antioxidant activity has the |
| explain how the drugs worked, only that the | | | | potential to be useful for treating or preventing |
| drugs were more beneficial than placebo. That's | | | | cancers of all kinds. Those that have natural |
| about all that it takes to get FDA approval. | | | | anti-inflammatory activity have a higher potential |
| As just an interesting side note, recent studies | | | | to be effective. That's why animal studies |
| indicate that the placebo effect is increasing. | | | | concerning turmeric and skin cancer have been |
| Interestingly, a sugar pill works 20-40% of the | | | | conducted. In the test tube, curcumin has been |
| time. In some cases, it works even more often. | | | | shown to have both antioxidant and |
| As long as the volunteers are unable to determine | | | | anti-inflammatory activity. It's something of a |
| (either by taste or appearance) whether or not | | | | "one-two punch". |
| they are getting the "active" compound, the | | | | There are other plants that have both antioxidant |
| placebo works just as well in 20-40% of all cases. | | | | and anti-inflammatory activity. Alternative |
| Studies concerning turmeric and skin cancer have | | | | practitioners have developed something of a |
| yet to reach the stage where volunteers are | | | | nutritional cocktail for the treatment of inoperable |
| recruited. But the placebo effect cannot have any | | | | cancers and for those patients that prefer not to |
| impact on a disease like that. It isn't just about | | | | undergo surgery or chemotherapy. |
| how the patients feel. It's about whether or not | | | | Some of the better supplement manufacturers |
| the disease is progressing or going into remission. | | | | provide curcumin and other ingredients that are |
| Researchers can access the effect that a | | | | believed to be beneficial in preventing a number of |
| compound is having on the cells and tumors. If | | | | age related diseases. Like the studies concerning |
| the tumors are shrinking, then the compound is | | | | turmeric and skin cancer, preliminary studies |
| working. | | | | concerning the anti-aging effect of neutraceuticals |
| So far, all of the studies concerning turmeric and | | | | have been positive. |
| skin cancer have been conducted using animals. | | | | |