Beneath is an approximation of this video’s audio content material. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, photographs, and quotes to which Dr. Greger could also be referring, watch the above video.
Arsenic is a “carcinogenic heavy steel,” and “[t]he main mechanism of [arsenic]-related injury [appears to be] oxidative stress.” It’s the arsenic-induced “[a]ccumulation of free radicals” that may kill off cells, and injury our DNA. After which, the double whammy is that it could disrupt our physique’s potential to restore our DNA as soon as it’s broken. Properly, if the injury is oxidation, what about consuming antioxidant-rich meals, such because the spice turmeric, which incorporates an antioxidant pigment often known as curcumin? As anybody aware of my movies can attest, “quite a few scientific [trials] have prompt…therapeutic efficacy towards [a variety of] human ailments, together with most cancers…, diabetes…, Alzheimer’s…,…and inflammatory bowel…,” joint, lung, pores and skin, and eye ailments.
When it comes to safety towards heavy metals, they counsel turmeric could each assist scavenge free radicals in addition to chelate, or bind up, heavy metals—full with a elaborate colourful diagram. However, it’s all simply concept, till you set it to the take a look at. Sadly, till lately, the exams had been like this, the place you’ll be able to see if curcumin can defend towards heavy metal-induced oxidation in puréed rat brains. Why can’t you simply give some turmeric to folks? It’s not like there aren’t thousands and thousands of individuals on the market who’ve been uncovered to arsenic, and will use some assist.
In what grew to become the best chemical catastrophe in human historical past, so-called “tube-wells” had been put in in Bangladesh to supply clear water. UNICEF meant nicely; too unhealthy they didn’t take a look at the water for arsenic. Individuals began displaying up with ft that appeared like this, and as many as one in ten in some components of the nation will now go on to die from cancers brought on by the arsenic publicity. This allowed the medical neighborhood to doc all types of fascinating cancers. However why not give them one thing that will assist—like turmeric curcumin?
“After figuring out the [extent of] DNA injury, 50% of…volunteers had been randomly chosen and prescribed curcumin capsules blended with [a little black pepper compound],” and the opposite half “had been…given a placebo.” Right here’s the quantity of DNA injury that was discovered within the curcumin and placebo teams of arsenic-exposed people earlier than the research began, in comparison with the DNA injury present in a management group of people not uncovered to arsenic, which remained the identical all through the research.
Now, they needed to ascertain a baseline within the arsenic-exposed teams. So, they waited for 3 months to begin the research. And, certainly, the DNA injury remained steady. Then, for 3 months, they proceeded to present them the curcumin or the placebo. The placebo didn’t do a lot, however throughout the first month, you would see the curcumin working. And, by the third month, the DNA injury within the curcumin-treated arsenic group was no worse than in those that hadn’t been uncovered to arsenic in any respect.
And that’s superb. The “curcumin had an efficient position in [the] regression of DNA injury.” Sure, it’s “a superb antioxidant agent,” however what they discovered subsequently is that the curcumin undid the arsenic crippling of our DNA restore enzymes. So, it each helped forestall the injury and facilitate restore. “Thus, curcumin…could also be a helpful modality for the prevention of arsenic-induced [cancer development].”
After all, it’s a must to be sure the turmeric itself isn’t contaminated with heavy metals. Oh, these poor youngsters in Bangladesh. If it’s not one factor, it’s one other. And, it’s not simply youngsters in Bangladesh. Practically 1 / 4 of spices bought in Boston had lead in them. And, it’s not only a matter of shopping for U.S. versus overseas manufacturers, because the lead ranges had been not discovered to be statistically vital. How about simply consuming antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruit?
The rationale we care about DNA injury is that we care about most cancers. What in case you measured the beta-carotene ranges in folks uncovered to arsenic who went on to develop most cancers, in comparison with those that bought uncovered to the identical quantity of arsenic, however didn’t get most cancers? Beta carotene is sort of a proxy for wholesome fruit and vegetable consumption. The best way you get excessive ranges in your blood is you eat a number of wholesome meals—like greens and candy potatoes. In comparison with these with low ranges, these with excessive ranges of beta carotene of their blood had 99% decrease odds of getting arsenic-induced most cancers—100 occasions decrease odds. So, in case you’re going to eat rice, why not some rice with some candy potatoes on high?
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