Tumeric, a yellow spice used in Indian foods, contains a chemical, Curcumin. Curcumin is known to act as an anti-oxidant, anti-mutagen and anti-carcinogen in experimental animals. Anti-oxidants are chemicals that reduce free radicals. Because free radicals cause chain reactions that damage cells, anti-oxidants are thought to help in a number of illnesses. Anti-carcinogens reduce the impact of carcinogens in the start or growth of cancer. Anti-mutagens reduce or inhibit mutagens. Mutagens increased the number of mutations, that is, mistakes in the copying of genetic information, usually DNA. Since mutations can lead to cancer, mutagens can cause cancer. These scientists tested whether turmeric reduced mutagens in 16 long term smokers. Tumeric was giving for 30 days, 1.5 grams per day. After this dose the amount of mutagens in the urine of the smokers was significantly less. In comparison in six untreated non-smokers, there was no change in the amount of mutagens in their urine after 30 days. The scientists did blood tests to see if tumeric had any liver, diabetic, kidney or lipid side effects. Turmeric had no significant effect on the blood tests; serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, blood glucose, creatinine and lipid profile. These findings imply that dietary turmeric is an effective anti-mutagen and it may be useful in prevention of cancer.
Effect of turmeric on urinary mutagens in smokers. [Mutagenesis. 1992]