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Anticancer Diet With Turmeric

Turmeric has been touted as a medical cure in the East for quite some time, and now the West is catching on to this seemingly miraculous spice. According to information from the American Cancer Society, turmeric acts to inhibit the development of cancerous cells in laboratory testing, making it a promising item for inclusion in an anticancer diet. Between the consumption of turmeric and adherence to other tenets of a cancer-fighting diet, you can help to stack the odds in your favor.

  1. Turmeric's Healthy Effects

    • The real value of turmeric in fighting cancer is in its antioxidant qualities, which can slow or stop the development of cancerous cells, according to the ACS. Aside from helping to ward off cancer, turmeric might also help to prevent ulcers, decrease inflammation within the body, improve symptoms of arthritis, and help avoid rejections in organ transplant patients.

    Start with an Anticancer Diet

    • Consume a diet that is rich in plant-based sources of nutrition to potentially ward off cancer. Roughly 50 to 60 percent of your anticancer diet should consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, with roughly 20 to 30 percent containing lean protein and 20 to 30 percent containing healthy unsaturated fats. Fat discrimination is important to an anticancer diet, so make a concerted effort to avoid sources of saturated fat (as found in animal fat and full-fat dairy products) and trans fats (unnatural fats produced during the cooking process, included in fried foods and other foods containing hydrogenated cooking oils). When in doubt, check the nutritional information available either on the side of the package or on the manufacturer's website and ask when ordering restaurant items. Balance your plate according to the aforementioned proportions at every meal.

    Using Turmeric

    • Include turmeric in your diet, either as a spice for your foods or as a standalone product, to further increase the anti-cancer benefits of your nutritional approach. Follow the labeling instructions if you are using an over-the-counter turmeric supplement, and simply season your food to taste if using turmeric as a spice. Do not worry too much about overloading your body with turmeric. According to the ACS, no ill effects were noticed in patients consuming as much as 10 grams of turmeric per day.

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