Circumin is the active ingredient in the spice Tumeric, which has been considered a "holy powder" in India for centuries. Circumin imparts the bright gold color to turmeric and also serves as a yellow dye for textiles. But more importantly, the use of turmeric as medicine in the Indian culture goes back more than 5000 years.

U.S. scientists are jumping on the circumin bandwagon as well. In 2005, almost 300 technical papers in the National Library of Medicine's PubMed database referenced circumin – compared with only 100 papers just five years earlier.(1)

And the result of all those studies? Extensive research has shown circumin to be an effective antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, anifungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agent. That means it has enormous potential in combating malignant diseases and chronic illnesses, including diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.(2)

Head and Neck Cancer

Recently, a paper was presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting in San Diego. Researchers had created an experiment to mimic what happens in actual cases of head and neck cancer.(3)

It's important to understand that 85% of head and neck cancer cases are linked to the use of tobacco. And even after successful treatment of such cancers, many patients continue to smoke, so recurrence of the cancer is very high.(4)

Those who do stop smoking often use nicotine replacement therapy, which still aggravates the cancer-forming process.

So the study pre-treated cancer cells with circumin and then re-introduced the nicotine. The results were astonishing: the circumin actually blocked the nicotine from activating the cancer-causing cells.

This study is an important step in discovering therapies that will provide cancer prevention and treatment. In the U.S. alone there are 40,000 new cases of head and neck cancer every year, resulting in over 13,000 deaths. Worldwide, new cases top the 500,000 mark each year.(5)

Neck Cancer Symptoms

Most cases of head and neck cancer begin in cells that line the mouth, nose and throat. Signs to watch for are a sore or lump that just won't heal, difficulty swallowing, a change in the sound of your voice or a sore throat that doesn't go away.

Any of these neck cancer symptoms are cause for concern and should be checked by a health care professional.

Meanwhile, M.D. Anderson, a world-leading cancer facility associated with the University of Texas in Houston, is heavily promoting the use of circumin even before all clinical trials are complete. They refer to circumin as an "ingredient of choice."(6) This view is reinforced by a study published inAdvances in Experimental Medicine and Biologyin 2007, which concluded that "circumin can be considered an ideal Spice for Life."(7)

More Powers of Circumin

Personally, I consider circumin to be one of the most powerful nutrients available today. Besides preventing disease, boosting your immune system and having a positive effect on your hearing, your brain and your prostate, it helps displace harmful estrogens that can cause estrogen dominance in men.

Naturally, you will want to consult with your personal physician before making any changes to your normal exercise, diet and supplement routine.

Until next time, don't forget to visit us online at ?s=4869&m=100209.1353.0001&e=Sheila@chesapeakenutraceuticals.com&u=3" Chesapeake Nutraceuticals.

Sources:

1. "Spice Healer," ScientificAmerican.com, February 2007
2. Aggarwal BB, Sundaram C, Malani N, Ichikawa H, "Circumin: the Indian Solid Gold," Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007; 595:1-75
3. Mikulski, Jessica, "Nicotine-Induced Activation of Head and Neck Cancers May Be Inhibited By Circumin," MedicalNewsToday.com, Oct 6, 2009
4. "Head and Neck Cancer: Questions and Answers," National Cancer Institute, cancer.gov
5. Mikulski, Jessica, "Nicotine-Induced Activation of Head and Neck Cancers May Be Inhibited By Circumin," MedicalNewsToday.com, Oct 6, 2009
6. "Spice Healer," ScientificAmerican.com, February 2007
7. Aggarwal BB, Sundaram C, Malani N, Ichikawa H, "Circumin: the Indian Solid Gold," Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007; 595:1-75