Evidence supporting the use of: Turmeric
For the health condition: Cancer (prevention)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Turmeric, specifically its active compound curcumin, has been extensively studied for its potential role in cancer prevention and support. Laboratory (in vitro) and animal studies have shown that curcumin exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-proliferative properties, which may help inhibit the initiation, progression, and metastasis of various cancers. Curcumin is thought to modulate multiple signaling pathways involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis (programmed cell death), and angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels that supply tumors).

Despite promising findings from basic research, the clinical evidence in humans remains limited and inconsistent. Several small-scale clinical trials and observational studies have investigated the effects of curcumin supplementation in cancer patients or individuals at risk, with some reporting minor benefits in reducing inflammation markers or improving quality of life. However, results regarding its effectiveness in preventing cancer onset or significantly impacting cancer progression in humans are inconclusive. A major limitation is curcumin's poor bioavailability when taken orally, leading to low absorption and rapid metabolism.

Overall, the use of turmeric/curcumin for cancer prevention or support is justified by a substantial body of preclinical scientific research, but human evidence is not yet robust. Therefore, while there is a scientific rationale and ongoing clinical interest, its practical use as a cancer prevention or treatment tool remains unproven, and it should not replace conventional cancer therapies. Ongoing research and improved formulations may clarify its role in the future.

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Other ingredients used for Cancer (prevention)

7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
Acai berry
Ajoene
Akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
Alpha-carotene
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anthocyanins
apple
apricot
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalus
barberry
barley
basil
beet
berberine
berry flavor
beta and delta tocopherols
beta caryophyllene
beta-carotene
beta-glucan
beta-sitosterol
bisabolol
black cumin
black garlic
radish
sesame
black tea
black walnut
blackberry
blueberry
branched-chain amino acids
broccoli
Brussel sprouts
burdock
butyrate triglyceride
capsaicinoids
carrot
cat's claw
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
chaga mushroom
champignon
cherry
chia seed
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
chlorophyll
chokeberry
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
citrus pectin
clove
collard
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
cowage seed
cryptoxanthin
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
d-glucarate
daidzin
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fiber blend (proprietary)
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gamma tocopherol
garlic bulb
genistein
genistin
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
grape
grapefruit
Greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
hesperetin
hesperidin
hibiscus
HMR lignan
Indian tinospora
indole-3-carbinol
knotweed
jujube
kale
kelp
Lactoferrin
lemon
Lentinula edodes mycelia
lignans
lion's mane
lutein
luteolin
lychee
lycopene
maitake mushroom
mangosteen
Marine lipid
Matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
mixed carotenoids
Moringa
mustard seed
Naringin
Nettle
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oyster mushroom
parsley
pectin
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
phytosterols
pineapple
plum fruit
pomegranate
pomelo
protein
butyric acid
pumpkin
quail egg
quercetin
quinoa
raspberry
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
rutin
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
selenium
shiitake mushroom
black ginger
soybean
Sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
spirulina
stigmasterol
strawberry
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tocotrienols
Trans-pterostilbene
tributyrin
Triphala
Turkey tail mushroom
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
seaweed
Wasabi
Watercress
wheat grass
Whey protein
Mulberry
Zinc
red clover
Yellow root
suma
jiaogulan
typhonium
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
Neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
commiphora
smilax
Tinospora cordifolia
Caesalpinia crista
Rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
lingzhi
pau d'arco
Morus
lemongrass
Myrrh
root tuber
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
cistanche
dodder
fern
ganoderma
Morinda
zanthoxylum
royal jelly
equol (proprietary)
polyphenols
purslane
coix
aster root
Yerba mate
wheat germ
noni
biota seed
nopal
goji berry
paw paw
Algae
indigo leaves
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
cayenne pepper
soy isoflavones
ashitaba
soursop
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
8-Bromo-7-Methoxychrysin
Aralia
arugula
Agarikon Mushroom
alpha-humulene
amethoflavone
amygdalin
ankaflavin
Ardisia
apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Allicin
Antrodia camphorata
Achyranthes
Auricularia
anamu
American Pawpaw
Albizia
AHCC
andrographolide
avocado
alpha-methylselenobutanoic acid
amentoflavone
Acetogenin
Acacetin
Allophycocyanin
alpha-lipoic acid
astragaloside
Armillaria mellea
anthocyanidins
Andrographis
Adzuki bean
ampelopsin
Asteraceae
Allyl mercaptan
Allyl sulfide
Acemannan
Algal protein
Allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
anthocyanosides
arabinoxylan
Abalone
Allium tuberosum
Alantolactone
anti-aromatase
arctiin
Arjunolic acid
Artepillin C
astragalin
atractylone
bee propolis
black seed
Baikal Skullcap
Bidens pilosa
bergenin
betulinic acid
breadnut
Brassica
bayleaf
bran
Butea monosperma
black galingale
Beef liver
bok choy
baicalein
beta-lapachone
bael
bean
biochanin
Basidiomycota
betanin
berry
Bauhinia
Boswellia
Brazil nut
banyan
butein
barbasco
bee products
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
butenyl isothiocyanate
bacteria
baobab
benzyl isothiocyanate
baicalin
Buckwheat
Bassia scoparia
bignay
Boerhavia diffusa
caffeic Acid
cumin
Camellia sinensis
curry leaf
caryophyllene
Cinnamomum
Chinese mountain ant
cyanobacteria
Cucurbita
condurango
calycosin
chlorophyllin
coconut oil
cod liver oil
coriolus mushroom
carvacrol
Cynomorium
capillary artemisia
cyanidin
chlorogenic acid
Chinese fleeceflower
Curcuminoid
Citrus
capsaicin
cancerina
cowherb
cruciferous
casticin
curcumen
Chordaria cladosiphon
Centella asiatica
cinnamic acid
chocolate
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Curcuma
carnosol
chalcone
C-phycocyanin
cabbage
chirata
carotene (unspecified)
Clostridium butyricum
cinnamaldehyde
corilagin
coumaric acid
crocetin
cynaropicrin
cytokines
costus
Celastrus
Coprinus
Celosia
capsanthin
carnosic acid
Dunaliella salina
docosahexaenoic Acid
diallyl sulfide
Dihydrocapsaicin
delphinidin
DNA
Dunaliella
decursin
Dumontiaceae
daidzein
diosgenin
didymin
date
dithiolthiones
diosmetin
Dichrostachys glomerata
epicatechin
E-Viniferin
ellagic acid
eurycomanone
Eclipta
ergothioneine
emblicanin
evodiamine
eicosapentaenoic acid
ellagitannin
Ecklonia
enokitake
fruit
fucoidan
fiber
Flueggea suffruticosa
fucosterol
flavonoids
fo-ti
formononetin
fish
Fomitopsis pinicola
fatty acids
fungus
flavanones
farnesol
fucoxanthin
flavans
flavonones
flavanols
Flammulina velutipes
flavones
flavonolignan
gallic acid
geraniol
Ginsenosides
garcinol
Garcinone B
Garcinone D
ginkgetin
Gelidiella acerosa
Glucan peptides
Gac
Guava
Gypenoside
garlic
gallate
Garcinone C
Garcinone E
Graviola
galangin
Glutathione
garden cress
Gigartina
Garcinone A
geranylgeraniol
Glucoraphanin
Galangal
Glabridin
Glucosinolates
Haematococcus pluvialis
Honokiol
Hyperoside
hydroxycinnamic acid
heal-all
Hedyotis
hypsizygus marmoreus
hydroxytyrosol
Hyphomycetes
Helicteres isora
Herb Robert
hericium mushroom
hydroxymatairesinol
Huang hua
Humulones
isodon rubescens
isosilybin
iridoids
Isoalantolactone
isoliquiritigenin
Indian sarsparilla
isovitexin
isoflavones
isoquinoline alkaloids
Isatis
Indian coraltree
long pepper
icariin
isothiocyanates
Indian fagonia
Jaboticaba
Job\'s tears
Java brucea
Kokilaksha
kiwi
Kaempferol
Kohlrabi
Kefir
Kombucha
Kefiran
Lycium
loquat
Lebbek
Lycoris
limonoid
Lentinan
lichen
Laggera pterodonta
Limonium sinense
Lapachol
lupulone
Legume protein
limonene
Ligustrum
Lentil
Ligustrazin
lotus
Leptadenia
Loranthus
Laminaria
Ligusticum
Methylselenocysteine
Maslinic acid
mangiferin
Myricitrin
Myrosinase
Marine protein
Melia
Monoterpenes
Myricetin
Milk Protein
Mesima
mangostin
Momordica
Mondo grass
malvidin
mangostanol
mangostene xanthone
Marine fat
Methoxylated flavones
marigold
magnolol
Mushroom
Maclura tricuspidata
Millettia
Mayapple
Maytenus ilicifolia
Momordicosides
Macaranga indica
Neoandrographolides
Naringenin
Naphthoquinones
Nigella seed
Nobiletin
Nomilin
Oroxylum indicum
Oleuropein
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
oolong tea
Oligosaccharides
Onosma bracteatum
Osmanthus
Osthole
Phycocyanin
Propolis
Phellodendron
Piperine
Puerarin
Phenylpropanoids
Phytoecdysteroid
Phaeophyceae
polysaccharides
pagoda tree
polyporous mushroom
procyanidin
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
phlorotannins
Piceid
Polydatin
Poncirin
proanthocyanidins
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Pansit-pansitan
Pleurotus eryngii
Pyrrosia
Phthalides
Podophyllum
Portulaca
Piper nigrum
Periwinkle
Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC)
Polygonatum
Persimmon
punicalagins
Physalis angulata
punicic acid
punicosides
Phytoestrogens
Pokeweed
Pistachio
polymethoxylated flavones
Polygonum
parthenolide
Petiveria
rosmarinic acid
Rubiaceae
Rhabdosia rubescens
Rubia yunnanensis
Rosa roxburghii
rhubarb
Sapogenin
Sichuan Lovage
Sophora
Sesbania
Selaginella
Sete sangrias
Smartweed
Sesquiterpenes
Soy
Selenocysteine
Selenomethionine
Schizophyllum commune
Solanum indicum
Salmon Oil
Salidroside
Silybin
Syringic acid
Salvianolic acid
Sinigrin
Shogaol
Soy Protein
Schisandrins
Semecarpus anacardium
saponins
Sotetsuflavone
Sulfated polysaccharide
Shilajit
Sargassum
Sword Bean
S-allylcysteine
Sesamin
Sinensetin
Stilbenoid
Sulforaphane
Terpenoids
Tea
Thymoquinone
Tumerone
Thymus
Taxifolin
Thistle
Triterpenes
Typhonium flagelliforme
Tangeretin
Tanshinone
Tiliroside
Theaflavin
Turmerones
Taraxasterol
Tulbaghia
Trametes
Thiosulfinate
Tylophorine
Tremella
Uncaria
Ursolic Acid
Vestitol
Vegetable Protein
Vine tea
Vitexin
Viniferin
Vicenin
Verbascoside
Withanolides
White Tea
Wax Gourd
Wogonin
Wakame
Water Pepper
Walnut
Xanthohumol
Xanthophyll
Xanthorrhizol
Xylaria nigripes
Xanthone
Xanthoparmelia
Yuzu
Yacon
Yumberry
Zucchini
Zingiberene
Zedoary
Zingerone

Other health conditions supported by turmeric

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Adenitis
Afterbirth Pain
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Blood in Stool
Body Odor
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Bursitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Carbuncles
Cartilage Damage
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chest Pain
Chicken Pox
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Corns
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cysts
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diphtheria
Dislocation
Diverticulitis
Duodenal Ulcers
Dyspepsia
Edema
Endometriosis
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyesight (poor)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Free Radical Damage
Fungal Infections
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gangrene
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Glaucoma
Goiter
Gonorrhea
Gout
Halitosis
Hangover
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hernias
Herpes
Impetigo
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Jaundice (adults)
Jaundice (infants)
Jock Itch
Kidney Infection
Knees (weak)
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Leukemia
Lice
Ligaments (torn or injured)
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Lyme Disease
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Lymphoma
Macular Degeneration
Malaria
Mastitis
Measles
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Mumps
Muscular Dystrophy
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Oral Surgery
Ovarian Pain
Overacidity
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Parasites (general)
Pets (supplements for)
Phlebitis
Pleurisy
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Psoriasis
Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Scabies
Scars / Scar Tissue
Sciatica
Scratches and Abrasions
Senility
Skin (infections)
Slivers
Snake Bite
Sprains
Staph Infections
Stiff Neck
Stye
Tendonitis