TURMERIC

I get interesting articles all the while and as I think that our fight begins with us being informed I have to pass them on and leave you to assess the pros and the cons then decide! The following AICR story :"Can Curry Kill Cancer Cells?" provides much "food' for thought - there is no doubt that spices are good for us and if cayenne pepper is the king of herbs then turmeric must be the queen of spices....no harm eating this full-of-flavour spice while they continue to check just how powerful it is and exactly what it does for us.

New headlines tout the anti-cancer potential of curcumin. Is there a savior in your spice rack? You may have seen some recent headlines touting the ability of curcumin to inhibit stomach cancer in the lab. (Curcumin is the active ingredient in the spice turmeric, which lends curry its distinctive yellow color.)
These new findings with stomach cancer cells are only the latest to suggest that this hotly studied spice may possess anti-cancer potential. AICR has funded several grants involving curcumin; in these and other studies, curcumin seems to reduce the formation and growth of breast and colon cancer cells.
The laboratory evidence is impressive. However, we still know relatively little about curcumin’s effect in humans. In some laboratory studies, benefits are only seen from amounts of curcumin that far exceed the quarter-teaspoon of turmeric typically found in a serving of curry dishes.
Using modest amounts of turmeric, as is the tradition in Indian and North African cooking, is safe for most adults. Using large amounts might have some negative effects, from mild stomach upset to disturbing liver function or exacerbating existing gallbladder disease; we clearly need more research on this.
Recently, some studies have suggested that curcumin could have synergistic effects with compounds in onions or cruciferous vegetables. If borne out by further research, it’s possible that relatively small amounts could prove to exert important protective effects.
All Curry Powders are Not Alike
Although curcumin content will vary from one batch of the spice to another, the curcumin content of curry powder is even more variable, because curry powder is not just one spice, but a mixture of turmeric, cumin, fenugreek and other spices.
But whatever its potential anti-cancer power, turmeric provides flavor and color. You might consider adding a little extra turmeric when cooking, even if you start with a commercial curry powder as your base.

So what do I do ? I use straight turmeric! And remember when you are using curry don`t forget the cummin......