photo credit: Caitlinator

I was watching the local news when they featured a study suggesting the turmeric and black pepper help prevent breast cancer. The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center has shown that compounds in the spices limit the growth of stem cells and potential tumors . Since my exposure to turmeric was as Indian saffron, I wondered if Ayurveda, the system of medicine native to India, prescribes a specific diet for breast cancer prevention.

According to Ayurveda, breast cancer involves a disorder of all three constitutions (doshas). Along with physical, emotional, spiritual and environmental factors, breast cancer may develop from a hereditary tendency triggered by improper diet and lifestyle. If the accumulation of toxins (ama) is not expelled, the imbalance can lead to a malignant tumor (sannipatika gulma). Therefore, Ayurveda advocates a natural diet and lifestyle as the first step in cancer prevention.

According to an article in the Protocol Journal of Botanical Medicine, women should avoid refined, processed, artificially flavored, refrigerated, frozen, canned or microwaved foods. Extreme pungent, bitter, salty, sweet, sour, fried and cold food and drinks should also be avoided. Coffee, caffeine and alcohol should not be consumed. A combination of basmati rice and mung dal (Khichari) is recommended as it cleanses all three doshas and meals should be eaten three to five hours apart. The article’s author goes on to detail a program of cleansing and rejuvenation (panchakarma and rasayana) and gives recommendations for the physical, emotional and spiritual elements of one’s life .

Madhuri Kakarala, lead author of the University of Michigan study, is hopeful that they have found a non-toxic alternative to breast cancer prevention drugs. But, he cautions that one should not use turmeric and black pepper as breast cancer prevention supplements at this time as more research needs to be done . And, since breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women (after lung cancer), I just have one thing to say . . . hurry up with that follow up research!