Spicing up Breast Health
Bionutraceutical Company Focuses on Health Benefits of Turmeric and Black Peppers.
Mount Kisco, NY (Vocus) December 22, 2009
Curcumin, a powerful component of turmeric, a popular Indian spice, and piperine, an extract found in black peppers have been demonstrated to stop the growth of stem cells that spawn breast cancer tumors, according to a study from the University of Michigan (http://www. umich. edu/).
The research findings show a decreased number of stem cells while having no effect normal, non-cancerous stem cells. These results are the first to suggest that dietary compounds have the potential to reduce the risk of cancer by targeting stem cells. The results of the study are published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment (http://www. springerlink. com/content/y27556643833025w/).
These exciting research results follow findings in November from a study published in the British Journal of Cancer (http://www. nature. com/bjc/journal/v101/n9/abs/6605308a. html). The study found that the “curry spice” curcumin, a powerful component of turmeric and a popular Indian spice, demonstrated to help kill cancer cells in patients with esophageal cancer. Researchers believe that curcumin can inhibit the growth and metastasis of tumors in certain types of cancers. Curcumin has also been used and studied in treatment of a wide variety of diseases, from cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and type II diabetes to Crohn’s disease, psoriasis and arthritis.
Essence of Life, LLC™, a bionutraceutical company based in Mount Kisco, N. Y., has been at the forefront of the movement to promote curcumin and piperine’s health benefits. The company has developed innovative products based on these natural spices and others including fermented soy, ginger, cardamom and cinnamon. According to co-founder and CEO Dr. Vijaya Nair, “Independent research studies show that in Asian countries where consumption of natural herbs and spices such as curcumin and fermented soy is integral to traditional diets, we see a much lower cancer rate in the population.”
The company’s line of Jiva™ natural nutritional supplements includes Curcumin Plus capsules that also use BioPerine, an ingredient dominated by piperine and made by Sabinsa, which was used in the study from the University of Michigan shown to possibly reduce the risk of breast cancer formation. “Today’s research has shown that the underlying cause of arthritis, heart disease and cancer is chronic low-grade levels of inflammation in the body,” Nair said. “By combining the power of curcumin and bioperine, we can help prevent and reverse inflammation and its associated health risks.”
Nair’s background includes training in both Eastern and Western medical traditions, including a post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School. She developed Essence of Life’s line of supplements after conducting extensive clinical research on alternative therapies from Eastern medicinal approaches such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine at Columbia University’s School of Public health. “It is gratifying to see that the latest research confirms the efficacy of these safe and natural preventative therapies,” Nair said.
For more information about the benefits of curcumin, visit Jiva Supplements (http://www. jivasupplements. org).
About Dr. Vijaya Nair and Essence of Life
Dr. Vijaya Nair is the CEO and co-founder of Essence of Life, LLC™, a bionutraceutical company based in Mount Kisco, N. Y. Dr. Nair earned her medical degree from the National University of Singapore, completed her post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School and received a master’s degree in epidemiology from Columbia University, where she lectured and conducted research at the School of Public Health. An international teacher and lecturer, she recently was a featured speaker at the Cancer Control Society’s 37th Annual Cancer Convention in Universal City, Calif. She is the author of Prevent Cancer, Strokes, Heart Attacks and other Deadly Killers! (Sheffield, MA; Safe Goods Publishing, 2009) and co-host of the online radio program, “Kiss Your Life Hello,” on the Health & Wellness station of VoiceAmerica. com.
Essence of Life produces the Jiva™ line of nutritional supplements, including Fermented Soy and Curcumin Nutritional Beverage and Curcumin & Fermented Soy Plus, Lutein Plus, Ginger Plus, Ashwagandha Plus, Green Tea Plus capsules and Resveratrol Plus capsules. For more information, visit Jiva Supplements (http://www. jivasupplements. com).
Editor’s note: Photos, video and product samples available on request. Dr. Nair is also available for broadcast or print interviews. Please contact Ashley Rio at 518-966-5600 x108 or ashley(at)kathoderay(dot)com
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