More Evidence that Curcumin Benefits Chemo Patients

A new double-blind study has added to the evidence that curcumin is a valuable addition to chemotherapy treatment. . . .

This double-blind, placebo-controlled study gave either curcuminoids or a placebo to 80 people with solid tumours who were undergoing chemotherapy. The most common cancers in this study were colorectal, gastric and breast cancers. The people in the curcumin group were given 180mg of curcuminoids bound to soy lecithin. The study lasted eight weeks.

The people who took the curcuminoids experienced a significantly greater improvement in their quality of life compared to the placebo, which was the main thing the study was testing. They also had significant reductions in free radical damage and significant reductions in inflammatory markers. Controlling inflammation is crucial to managing cancer.

The curcumin was safe and well tolerated.

Despite the misleading and tragic advice of conventional medicine to avoid antioxidants while on chemotherapy, this study adds to the large body of evidence that curcumin can benefit chemo patients with a wide range of cancers and can make their lives better.

Phytother Res 2014;28:1461-1467