Turmeric may help with prostate cancer. However, more research is necessary. While it may have some benefits, a person should still receive medically accepted treatment options, such as radiotherapy.

Turmeric is a spice native to Asia that is used in cooking and traditional medicine. Proponents suggest it can help with a variety of health concerns.

Some evidence suggests it may help prevent prostate cancer and slow its growth and development. However, more research is necessary to investigate this.

Read on to learn more about the link between prostate cancer and turmeric and whether it could be beneficial for treating the condition.

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Turmeric contains an active ingredient called curcumin, which is an antioxidant. Forms of traditional medicine have used turmeric for centuries due to its potential healing effects.

Some evidence suggests turmeric may help prevent and treat prostate cancer. In a study from 2010, researchers note that turmeric works on several responses within prostate cancer cells that could potentially help stop its growth and shrink the size of a tumor.

A 2016 article notes similar findings from different studies on the effects of turmeric. It also states that most people can safely take 6,000–8,000 milligrams (mg) a day.

However, more research is necessary and current evidence shows a mixture of results. In some cases, curcumin may help when people use it in addition to other therapies. However, other studies suggest that curcumin does not help.

Turmeric is present in several foods and recipes and is generally safe when people consume it as part of a diet. However, turmeric supplements may interact with medications a person is taking.

Turmeric may help with a variety of health conditions.

Several manufacturers sell turmeric supplements promoting its benefit for aspects of personal health, including:

However, the actual benefits of turmeric remain unclear. Its main active ingredient, curcumin, is unstable and turns into other substances easily. It also has a low bioavailability, meaning that little of the substance reaches the bloodstream.

Supplements on the retail market contain varying amounts of turmeric with no consistent standards throughout the industry.

Considering this, in combination with limited evidence suggesting its effectiveness in helping with different conditions, it is best for a person to consider discussing turmeric supplements with a doctor before buying them.

Turmeric is generally safe as part of a person’s diet. Most people can also safely take daily supplements.

In some cases, a person may experience mild side effects, such as:

Some people should avoid taking turmeric supplements altogether due to potential health risks. These groups include people who are:

Learn more about turmeric’s side effects.

Turmeric is a spice that people may use in many recipes. In general, a person can consume turmeric from foods safely. Those interested in using it as a supplement may be able to take 6,000–8,000 mg per day safely.

However, before taking supplements, a person should discuss their current medications with a doctor. This is because taking turmeric may increase or decrease the effect of certain drugs.

Treatment for prostate cancer can vary significantly based on several factors, including a person’s overall health, age, and the stage of the cancer.

For some, a doctor may recommend watchful waiting. Prostate cancer is a slow-growing cancer, which means it may not require treatment until it becomes a certain size.

Some standard treatment options include:

Newer treatment options can include:

It is best to discuss options with a doctor knowledgeable about potential side effects, long-term outcomes, and possible clinical trials for which a person may be a good fit.

Turmeric is a spice native to southern Asia. People have added it to recipes and used it in traditional medicine for centuries. Turmeric contains a compound known as curcumin. This active ingredient may possess anticancer properties and may help prevent prostate cancer.

However, more research is necessary, and current evidence suggesting its effectiveness is limited. Only small amounts of the compound reach the bloodstream when people take it orally.

Additionally, turmeric may interact with other medications, such as chemotherapy drugs. For these reasons, it is advisable only to use traditional treatments that a doctor recommends.