Curcumin Supports Colon Health

Curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric, decreases abnormal growths in the colon, researchers recently reported.

Scientists evaluated curcumin’s effect on inflammation and the development of abnormal colon growths. The subjects included 44 smokers with eight or more aberrant crypt foci, precursors to abnormal growths, on screening colonoscopy. The subjects were supplemented with 2 or 4 grams per day of curcumin for 30 days.

The researchers assessed levels of the inflammatory mediators, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), chemicals associated with abnormal growth development. The subjects were evaluated with endoscopy and biopsy to determine the number of aberrant crypt foci in the colon and the levels of PGE2 and 5-HETE in the tissue.

The study results showed that 4 grams per day of curcumin reduced the number of aberrant crypt foci by 40 percent. This was associated with a significant increase in plasma curcumin levels. Curcumin did not significantly reduce levels of PGE2 and 5-HETE in the colon tissue.

The researchers concluded, “Our data suggest that curcumin can decrease aberrant crypt foci number, and this is potentially mediated by curcumin conjugates delivered systemically.”

Reference:

Carroll RE, Benya RV, Turgeon DK, Vareed S, Neuman M, Rodriguez L, Kakarala M, Carpenter PM, McLaren C, Meyskens FL Jr, Brenner DE. Phase IIa Clinical Trial of Curcumin for the Prevention of Colorectal Neoplasia. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2011 Mar;4(3):354-64.