India has one of the lowest incidence of cancer. Why?

genmail2000

India has one of the lowest incidence of cancer (particularly of breast cancer). This is despite high rates of tobacco and arecanut consumption in India. This is called as the Indian Paradox similar to the popular term French Paradox. The French have very low incidence of coronary heart disease despite consuming a diet very rich in saturated fats. This is mainly due to the high consumption of red wine by the french. A constituent of red wine, a poly phenol known as  resveratrol is believed to cause such beneficial effect. Similarly turmeric is a part of cuisine in India almost on daily basis. A constituent circumin in the turmeric is believed to have this beneficial anti cancer property.

www.turmeric-cancer.com

MariannaLaFrance

Planning on adding more turmeric to my diet. Have considered Resveritrol as well, but figure I should get it from wine? Like the French do....

genmail2000

You cannot get enough Resveratrol from red wine. One litre of wine averages around 3 milligrams of Resveratrol. Atleast 100 mg of resveratrol per day is required for any meaningful benefits.That calls for 33 litres of wine per day. You can try some Resveratrol extract.

OneBadBoob

I have also heard that the cinnamon (sp?)  and other "curry" ingredients in Indian cooking is just as important as the tumeric (curcumin) in cancer prevention.

Also, India has a very high population of vegatarians (my brain cannot spell today--)

genmail2000

cinnamon is actually more of an anti diabetic herb. It is very effective one at that. It is also rich in poly phenols which may explain it's anti cancer proprties.

luv_gardening

There's a good info here on cinnamon.

http://www.medicinal-herbs-and-spices.com/benefits-cinnamon.html 

This web site on herbs and spices has plenty of information on different herbs but they are also selling a product and I haven't checked for accuracy.  I notice it lists turmeric as enhancing chemo but I've read that it should not be used with some chemo... "dietary supplementation with curcumin was found to significantly inhibit cyclophosphamide-induced tumor regression."

http://www.medicinal-herbs-and-spices.com/cancer-herbs.html

 Properties of key anti cancer herbs and spices:

All herbs/spices: Powerful antioxidant activity

Cumin, black pepper: Enhance antioxidant enzymes

Cumin, garlic, ginger: Inhibit cancer-associated inflammation

Ginger, black pepper: Inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines

Garlic, ginger, turmeric: COX-2 inhibition

Ginger, black pepper: Attack tumours directly

Anise, basil, capsicum: Inhibit NF- κB

Fennel , garlic, ginger: Inhibit NF- κB

Garlic, mustard, citrus zest: Induce apoptosis

Mustard (brassicas): Modulate autocrine loops & cell cycles

Turmeric: Inhibits angiogenesis

Caraway, cumin, mustard: Neutralize carcinogenic toxins

Turmeric: Inhibit telomerase

Turmeric: Inhibits JAK-STAT pathway

Turmeric: Inhibits hormone-dependent tumors

Turmeric: Enhances chemotherapy/radiotherapy*  

*Note - Dietary supplementation with curcumin was found to significantly inhibit cyclophosphamide-induced tumor regression. (my addition)