Looking after your colon and bowel
How many of you are aware that way back in 2006 John Hopkins University showed that a combination of Curcumin and Quercetin greatly reduces the size and number of colorectal polyps? This was in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald on August 10Th 2006 when they announced that a small clinical trial showed that a pill combining chemicals found in turmeric and onions reduced the size and number of precancerous lesions in the intestinal tract.
The study analysed 5 patients with inherited forms of precancerous polyps (FAP) in the lower bowel. They were treated with Curcumin (the chemical found in turmeric) and Quercetin, an antioxidant in onions, over about six months and the number of polyps dropped 60.4% and also in size by 50.9%.
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) runs in families and is the developing of hundreds of colorectal polyps and eventual colon cancer. In the recent past nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been used to treat some patients with this but these can have many side effects such as gastrointestinal ulcerations and bleeding. Previous studies of people that eat lots of curry as well as lab studies on rats suggest that Curcumin, the yellow pigment from turmeric might be effective in preventing and/or treating cancer in the lower intestine. It seems to also be able to be tolerated in high doses.
Similarly, Quercetin, a plant- derived polyphenolic anti-oxidant known as a flavanoid has been shown to prevent growth of colon cancer in some humans and abnormal colorectal cells in rats. This product is found in onions, green tea and red wine. Although both these substances were given together Giardiello, who performed the study, believes that the Curcumin is more important. He adds though that just eating curry and onions is not enough.
The trial selected 5 patients who had in the past had their colons removed. Each patient received 480 mg of Curcumin and 20 mg of Quercetin three times a day for 6 months orally and did not use NSAIDs during the study. Three patients did as they were asked, one dropped out, and the other one did not do as they were asked for three months during the study yet still the polyps decreased in the 4 patients with minimal side effects.
Some reported mild nausea and diarrhea for a few days but apart from that they were doing well. The study showed that Curcumin decreased the polyps in patients with FAP similar to the synthetic NSAID’s but with fewer side effects. Polyps also in the small intestine responded to Curcumin.
The point here is that there are natural alternatives to drugs that science is now investigating which will adapt better in the body and have fewer side effects than drugs. Also this points towards finding some scientifically proven preventatives in terms of your colon health. It is important to not let diarrhoea or constipation go without some kind of treatment to create a balance. Bleeding from the rectum needs to be investigated immediately so that we can prevent stomach and bowel cancers.
