Turmeric Acts Against Cancer T


coverartist


hroughout history, the spice turmeric has been a favored seasoning for curries and oth- er Indian dishes. Its pungent flavor is also known to offer medicinal qualities—turmeric has been used for centuries to treat osteoarthritis and other illnesses because its active ingredient, curcumin, can inhibit inflammation. A new study led by a research team at


Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, in Munich, Germany, has shown that turmeric can also restrict the formation of metastases and help keep prostate cancer in check. The researchers discovered that curcumin decreases the expres- sion of two pro-inflammatory proteins associat-


ed with tumor cells and noted that both prostate and breast cancer are linked to inflammation. The study further noted that curcumin is, in principle, suitable for both prophylactic use (primary prevention) and for the suppression of metastases in cases where an established tumor is already present (secondary prevention).


How Does Your Garden Glow? G


Cautious gardeners should seek products that are


free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and lead-free, and follow good garden hose hygiene: Avoid drink- ing out of the hose, don’t leave it exposed to the sun (where water within the hose can absorb chemicals) and always flush it out before watering edible plants.


Source: EcologyCenter.org A


A DIET FOR HEALTHY BONES


ge-related bone mass loss and decreased bone strength affect both genders. Now, the first ran-


domized study, published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, indicates that consuming a Mediterranean diet enriched with olive oil may be associated with increased serum levels of osteocalcin, a protein that plays a vital role in bone formation. Earlier studies have shown that the incidence of osteoporosis in Europe is lower in the Mediterranean basin, possibly due to the traditional Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, olives and olive oil.


Baby and Turtle Claudia Tremblay


ardening can be a healthy pastime… as long as toxic tools aren’t involved. Researchers at the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Ecology Center recently tested nearly 200 garden essentials—especially hoses, hand tools, gloves and knee pads—for chemicals and heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA), which are linked to birth defects, hormone imbalances, learn- ing delays and other serious health problems. The researchers found that nearly two-thirds of the tested products contained levels of chemicals that concerned them greatly.


Radiating gentleness and tranquility, the watercolors of artist Claudia Tremblay are rendered in a subtle palette of soft hues and often reflect her fascination with women and children around the world. Tremblay left her home in Quebec, Canada, to work with a non-governmen- tal organization in Guatemala, where she planted medicinal gardens alongside the native women that had fled their country during its civil war and were returning home to start new communities. With no formal training in art,


Tremblay was inspired to portray the strength and spirituality of these hard- working women of the Maya high- lands. “I had studied horticulture, and was sent to make gardens with these beautiful women in a hostile land,” she recalls. “In my free time, I tried day after day to capture the magic and melancholic depth of the Mayan people and their land.” After 13 years, Tremblay returned


to Montreal, where she continues to create “artwork for the soul.” Her recent series of richly shaded yoga watercolors compellingly evokes a focused, sacred energy. “Love and sensibility are always what I wish to transmit through my paintings,” advises Tremblay. “Let’s all dream a little more!”


View the artist’s portfolio at ClaudiaTremblay.com.


natural awakenings April 2013 9


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