Turmeric, with the active component curcumin, is both a food and a dietary supplement that may promote a better immune response and blood sugar levels, and may also help you manage some side effects of cancer.
Affordability and access
Prescription required?
- No, but we recommend you consult your oncology team before using this therapy.
Other names and brands
You may find turmeric and curcumin under these alternate names and brands:
- Curcuminoid
- Curry powder
- Diferuloylmethane
- Indian saffron
- Jiang huang (Chinese name), “Ginger yellow”
- NCB-02 (a standardized mixture of curcuminoids)
- E100 (code used for food coloring)
- Meriva (curcumin bound to soy lecithin, or phosphatidylcholine)
- Theracurmin (curcumin microsomes)
- Turmeric is sometimes misspelled as “tumeric”
Where to access
- Foods containing curcumin—turmeric and curry powder—are widely available in grocery stores.
- Supplements containing curcumin or turmeric powder are widely available at retail and online drug stores and pharmacies.
Affordability
- Moderate cost (between $500 US and $2000 US/year)