Disrupting Growth and Proliferation: Curcumin can interfere with the signaling pathways that control cancer cell growth. It downregulates proteins like cyclin D1 and c-myc, which promote cell division, and upregulates tumor suppressor genes like p53, putting the brakes on cancer's multiplication.
Triggering Self-Destruction (Apoptosis): Cancer cells often evade programmed cell death, allowing them to multiply unchecked. Curcumin can activate cell death pathways known as apoptosis, essentially instructing the rogue cells to self-destruct, leading to tumor shrinkage.
Starving the Tumor: Cancers thrive on a steady supply of blood vessels to deliver nutrients and oxygen. Curcumin can impede the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), cutting off the tumor's vital lifeline and hindering its growth and spread.
Reducing Inflammation: Chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for many cancers. Curcumin's potent anti-inflammatory properties can help dampen this pro-cancerous environment, potentially lowering the risk of cancer development and progression.
Boosting the Power of Conventional Therapies: Research suggests that curcumin may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation therapy by making cancer cells more susceptible to their cytotoxic effects.