Turmeric and Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer that causes production of abnormal blood cells (usually white). There are several types of leukemia, classified based on whether it is acute or chronic. Acute lymphocytic leukemia usually affects children, while other types affect adults. Older adults, those exposed to chemical or ionizing radiation, those with Down syndrome, Hodgkin’s disease or Fanconi’s anemia, smokers, hereditary causes, some drugs, chromosomal abnormalities are some causes of leukemia.

Symptoms include fatigue, fever, weight loss, and shortness of breath, abnormal paleness, falling ill frequently, abdominal pain, bleeding and more. Drug therapy, chemotherapy, radiation, biological therapy, bone marrow transplantation, other surgical procedures and alternative therapies are some ways of treating leukemia. Homeopathy and acupuncture are said to relieve some symptoms. Nutritional supplements can address nutritional deficiencies caused by aggressive treatment.  

Turmeric and Leukemia

   

Turmeric or Indian saffron got from the curcuma longa plant has been used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for centuries to treat inflammatory diseases, flatulence, menstrual problems, arthritis etc. The yellow pigment in turmeric is curcumin which is its primary pharmacological agent. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-carcinogenic and other properties.  

In studies conducted on childhood leukemia and the effects of curcumin, it was found that eating foods which are spiced with turmeric may reduce the risk of contracting this disease. Children under 5 years are very susceptible to contracting leukemia and the incidences have increased dramatically since 1950. Lifestyle changes and environmental factors are said to contribute to this high rate of childhood leukemia.

The rate however is much lower in Asian than western cultures and scientists are putting it down to the differences in diet. Pre and post natal exposure of children to benzene, radiation, alkylating chemotherapeutic drugs and environmental pollutants are said to increase the risk of contracting childhood leukemia. Researchers suggest that curcumin may be able to diminish some of these risks.

This could be by inhibiting mutation of PAHs or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are carcinogenic chemicals emitted due to burning of all carbon-based fuels including cigarette smoke. Curcumin prevents chromosome damage due to radiation. Foods made using processed meat contain nitrosamines and these could cause harmful nitroso compounds and heterocyclic amines to form in the body. This could be inhibited by curcumin. Finally the main benefit of curcumin could be its ability to completely prevent multiplication of leukemia cells, therefore preventing their spreading. In all these ways, turmeric – especially curcumin – could prevent childhood leukemia.  

One cause of childhood leukemia is poor diet. It has been suggested that giving infants plenty of bananas and oranges could reduce the risk of this disease. It has also been suggested that turmeric be added to their diet which is a reason for the low incidence in Asian countries. Previous studies on ways to prevent childhood leukemia have never focused on diet. With this study, there is strong evidence that a simple diet such as this could reduce occurrence of this deadly disease among infants. 

One study found that two natural products – turmeric and green tea – could help treat B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). The chemical compound in green tea is epigallocatechin-3 gallate and in turmeric it is curcumin. Current treatment for this form of leukemia does not offer a cure. Hence, natural therapies are being studied to see if they could improve clinical outcomes of patients who have B-CLL. It was found that curcumin could induce apoptosis of B-CLL cells. This apoptosis depends on the dose of curcumin used. Curcumin offers powerful antioxidant, chemotherapeutic, chemopreventive benefits which can benefit treatment of B-CLL. Benefits were greater when turmeric and green tea were combined. Hence, both these compounds could be further studied for the treatment of B-CLL.

The effect of curcumin on acute promyelocytic human leukemia cells (HL-60) was studied. It was found that curcumin caused the apoptosis of HL-60 cells and that it could be used to treat human leukemia.  

Risk factors of leukemia include poor nutrition, low immunity due to previous radiation or chemotherapy, advanced age and smoking. Nutritional supplements are known to improve immunity levels and help healthy functioning of white blood cells especially in leukemia patients. Some nutritional supplements have been studied for their ability to kill leukemia cells, like curcumin, genistein, a soy isoflavone extract and vitamin A. 

Curcumin from turmeric can be combined with genistein to inhibit the growth of leukemia cells. Curcumin can prevent production of the growth factor of cancer cells – bFGF. Overproduction of bFGF is one cause of different types of leukemia. Curcumin also increases expression of p53 – a cancer-protective gene – therefore causing death of leukemia cells. It can also reduce excess production of TNF-alpha – an inflammatory cytokine which is again found in excess in leukemia patients.

Dosage 

An average of 3-5g a day of turmeric spice is consumed regularly by Indians.  Turmeric supplements have not been studied in children and hence there is no dosage for them. Children can be given turmeric spice in food. For adults, there are turmeric supplements available in the form of capsules, fluid extract or tincture. The recommended daily dose of standardized curcumin powder extract is 400-600mg thrice a day. You can also use turmeric as cut root – 1.5 – 3g a day or dried, powdered root – 1-3g a day.

Precautions

Turmeric spice does not cause any side effects. Turmeric supplements used appropriately by adults is likely safe. Used in excess, it could cause side effects like nausea, dizziness, diarrhea or indigestion. Special precautions are needed to be followed by those with gallbladder problems, pregnant and breastfeeding women and diabetic patients. Herbs could slow blood clotting. Hence, anyone needing surgery must avoid turmeric supplements two weeks before the scheduled date.  There could be possible interactions between turmeric supplements and blood-thinning medications like warfarin or drugs taken to reduce stomach acid like cimetidine, omeprazole, ranitidine etc.

As such turmeric is known not to replace conventional treatment for leukemia. Always check with your doctor if you plan to use turmeric as an adjunct treatment for leukemia.