Yellow curry could reduce heart failure

Eating curcumin, a natural ingredient in the spice turmeric, may dramatically reduce the chance of developing heart failure, according to recent research.

In a study entitled 'Curcumin prevents and reverses murine cardiac hypertrophy', researchers at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre in Canada discovered that when the herb is given orally to a variety of mouse models with enlarged hearts (hypertrophy), it can prevent and reverse hypertrophy, restore heart function and reduce scar formation.

"What is impressive about curcumin's effects is its ability to shut off one of the major switches right at the chromosome source where the enlargement and scarring genes are being turned on," said Dr Peter Liu, cardiologist in the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre.

However, Liu cautions that moderation is important.

"The beneficial effects of curcumin are not strengthened by excessive ingestion."

Liu says that since curcumin is a naturally occurring compound that is readily available at a low cost, it may be a safe and effective means of preventing heart failure in the future.

Curcumin-based treatments are already in clinical trials for pancreatic and colorectal cancer patients, with promising results.

The study was published in the February edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.