Steal This Health Secret: Turmeric

Turmeric's anti-inflammatory powers may extend to protection from diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's and more.

By Janis Graham

From Reader's Digest

• Where it's popular: India. This bright-yellow spice, a key ingredient in curries, is used to treat everything from a runny nose to chest pain in traditional Asian medicine.

• Why you should try it: Small studies have found that curcumin, a component of turmeric, cuts cholesterol; animal research suggests it inhibits tumor formation. Now more than a dozen studies in humans are investigating whether it protects against cancer, Alzheimer's, and other diseases.

• How to use it: Heat a little oil in a sauté pan, and toss in a tablespoon of turmeric, a dash of salt, and a generous pinch of black pepper (pepper can increase your uptake of curcumin by up to 2,000 percent). Stir for a minute, then add vegetables, shrimp, scallops, or thin strips of meat for a sunny-colored dish with earthy, peppery accents.