Posted on 02/22/2008 11:19:18 AM PST by blam
Ingredient In Yellow Curry Can Reduce Heart Enlargement And May Prevent Heart Failure
Turmeric. Eating curcumin, a natural ingredient in the spice turmeric, may dramatically reduce the chance of developing heart failure. (Credit: iStockphoto/Nilesh Bhange)
ScienceDaily (Feb. 22, 2008) — Eating curcumin, a natural ingredient in the spice turmeric, may dramatically reduce the chance of developing heart failure, researchers at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre of the Toronto General Hospital have discovered.
In a study entitled, “Curcumin prevents and reverses murine cardiac hypertrophy,” published in the February edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers found when the herb is given orally to a variety of mouse models with enlarged hearts (hypertrophy), it can prevent and reverse hypertrophy, restore heart function and reduce scar formation.
The healing properties of turmeric have been well known in eastern cultures for some time. The herb has been used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine to reduce scar formation. For example, when there is a cut or a bruise, the home remedy is to reach for turmeric powder because it can help to heal without leaving a bad scar.
Unlike most natural compounds whose effects are minimal, curcumin works directly in the cell nucleus by preventing abnormal unraveling of the chromosome under stress, and preventing excessive abnormal protein production.
“Curcumin’s ability to shut off one of the major switches right at the chromosome source where the enlargement and scarring genes are being turned on is impressive,” says Dr. Peter Liu, cardiologist in the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and Scientific Director at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health. However Dr. Liu cautions that moderation is important, “the beneficial effects of curcumin are not strengthened by eating more of it.”
Dr. Liu, who holds the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Polo Chair Professor in Medicine and Physiology at the University of Toronto, says that since curcumin is a naturally occurring compound that is readily available at a low cost, it might be a safe and effective means of preventing heart failure in the future.
“Whether you are young or old; male or female; the larger your heart is, the higher your risk is for developing heart attacks or heart failure in the future. However, until clinical trials are done, we don’t recommend patients to take curcumin routinely. You are better off to take action today by lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol, exercising and healthy eating,” says Dr. Liu.
If clinical trials of curcumin support initial findings of heart enlargement prevention, it may offer hope for millions of patients with heart enlargement in a relatively safe and inexpensive manner. Curcumin-based treatments are currently in clinical trials for pancreatic and colorectal cancer patients with promising results.
This study was funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Adapted from materials provided by University Health Network, via Newswise.
Who swallowed the ‘Ing’ ?
And by the way, there is no such thing as “yellow” curry.
There are curries made primarily of turmeric, though.
‘Curry’ is a generic term.
Panang !
If so I’m off to the Bombay Bistro for supper tonight.
Curry?
That is like trying to get a handle on “Chutney”.
Ask and you get “What kind and from where.” :-)
any recipes???..trot...trot...trot
“I do believe that is one of the key ingredients in Indian rice and other foods?”
Yes, it is. Also used as an antiseptic on surface wounds in traditional Indian medicine.
So what!? What can they do for a “heartless conservative” like me? Or should I say...a party(Republicans)that have lost all thier heart?
Lamb curry
2 lbs sliced or cubed lamb
2 T flour
2 T oil
5 potatoes, slightly microwaved and chopped
1 onion, chopped
3T curry powder
1 1/2 C water
2 tsp chicken bouillon
1 C cold water well mixed with 1/2 C flour
Coat lamb pieces in flour, brown in oil in large skillet. Remove from pan. Add additional oil if necessary and slightly brown onion and potatoes. Add curry powder. Add water and bouillon. Simmer for 90 minutes. During last 10 minutes, add flour-water mixture to thicken.
Serve over rice (basmati rice is best)
Nice recipe. I’m always trying to sneak turmeric into dinner, but I really don’t love the stuff. May end up buying in capsules at the health food store.
Lamb curry, anyone?
Mmmmmmm.
OOH! I can’t wait to have some curried rice now!.....
Turmeric. A well known anti-inflammatory. It also has the property of tightening loose tendons and loosening tight tendons.
I’ve read it can help prevent Melanoma.
Eat more Indian food-—it’s good for your heart.
“capsules”
I was just wonderin’ about that! Because of acid reflux, I have to stay away from spicy food. But I’m thinkin’ that the capsules might be just as bad. Wonder if they have an “enteric” brand of caps anywhere.
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