Packed with a wide range of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer polyphenols and flavonoids, there is an array of spices that could help you fight cancer or prevent against the deadly disease. These spices must not be seen as a cure or as a substitute for conventional treatment of the deadly disease though.
Kanchan Koya, Ph.D. in Biomedicine from Harvard University, Health Coaching Certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition suggests 12 spices from cinnamon, cardamom, paprika, turmeric to star anise for cancer prevention.(Pixabay)
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Sumac may inhibit breast cancer metastasis by blocking the tumour’s blood vessel access(Pixabay)
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Cardamom can block tumour size and numbers in a mouse model of skin cancer potentially due to its antioxidant effects(Cardamom )
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Paprika or Cayenne can block VEGF and Src, molecules involved in metastasis though excess cayenne pepper has been linked to increased gastric cancer risk(Pixabay)
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Nutmeg seems to block cancer cell metabolism while sparing normal cells(Pixabay)
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Saffron has a compound called crocin that can selectively induce cancer cell apoptosis (cell death)(Pixabay)
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Cinnamon can block NF-kappaB a master regular of pro-cancer gene expression and also inhibit metastasis(Pixabay)
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Fennel contains anethole which can block prostate and skin cancer(Pixabay)
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Turmeric contains curcumin which can slow cancers of the lung, breast, skin and colon. Pair turmeric with black pepper for improved curcumin absorption(Pixabay)
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Star anise contains anethole with anti-cancer effects against breast and prostate cancer and linalool which may boost cancer specific immunity(Pixabay)
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Cumin can serve as an anti-oxidant and may subsequently inhibit cancer(Pixabay)
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Clove contains oleanolic acid that can promote apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells(Pixabay)
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Pepper has piperine which may activate breast, prostate and colorectal cancer cell death as well as piperlongumine (found in long pepper) which thwarts the stress resilience characteristic of cancer cells though safrole also found in pepper may increase cancer risk at high enough doses(Pixabay)
