Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease are distinct diseases, but both have disastrous effects on a person’s body. Great strides forward have been made in science as regards their treatment, but there are still many years ahead until a final cure is obtained which achieves to palliate the diseases in their entirety. Until then, any contribution at all which may help reduce its effects is welcome. Saffron or turmeric is a natural plant which is increasingly studied in greater detail as regards its benefits for the body at all levels.

Cancer

According to a study by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), turmeric or saffron inhibits cancer cells in the tongue, and in this fashion reduces the growth of head and neck cancer. The study collected saliva samples from 21 patients before and after chewing two turmeric pills, and the results were surprising. Not only was it discovered that saffron can prevent that smokers develop cancer, but concluded that the use of saffron could be combined with treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy to treat the disease.

Another study by the Cancer Research journal shows that colchicine, a saffron flower toxin, kills cancer cells. Furthermore, it attacks damaged cells, leaving intact the healthy cells, and therefore, reason why it is called the “smart bomb”.

The trial has been tested in 5 types of cancer (colon, prostate, breast, lung and sarcoma), and in all cancers had a positive effect.

Here you can see a list of the other beneficial effects of saffron on cancer:

• It acts as an antioxidant, destroying free radicals which cause cancer
• It helps prevent cancerous tumours
• It kills cancer cells (without affecting healthy cells)
• It reduces inflammation (whenever it is chronic inflammation. The condition promotes the growth of cancer cells)

Alzheimer’s

The principal function of saffron on Alzheimer’s is to reduce cognitive impairment in those persons who suffer from the disease. In a clinical trial, saffron extracts were given to 68 patients with medium-severe repercussions during one (1) year, and the scientists could discern how the negative trend of the disease was reduced. Another study last year showed how the side effects of Alzheimer’s; namely, irritability, agitation, anxiety or apathy, gradually disappeared without any adverse reactions thanks to the turmeric pills taken by the patients.

Recently projects have been pioneered which are intended to ascertain the additional benefits of saffron for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. For example, that of a group of researchers in Castile-La Mancha, headed by Professor Gonzalo Alonso, which studied the effect of saffron in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases.

We have seen certain healing effects of saffron, a spice which for many many centuries has been used to cure various diseases and ailments of all kinds. To find out more about saffron you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

If you wish to begin to feel the effects of this millenary spice, do not forget to purchase the saffron #saffroman#gourmet by Antonio Sotos, this saffron having the designation of origin. See you soon!