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Multiple articles on the internet are claiming that “ginger is 10,000x more effective at killing cancer than chemo”.
These refer to a study published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One. The study itself discusses the effectiveness of ‘6-shogaol’ compound found in ginger against cancer stem cells that are ‘chemo-resistant’.
Another study by researchers at Georgia State University found that “whole ginger extract (GE) exerts significant growth-inhibitory and death-inductory effects in a spectrum of prostate cancer cells.”
So yes, these studies explore the potential of ginger in perhaps supplementing cancer treatment. But do they claim that it is 10000 times better than chemotherapy, eliminating the latter’s need?
The ‘10000 times’ reference may be traced to a sentence in the study report, which says, “Taxol, even though was highly active in monolayer cells, did not show activity against the spheroids even at 10000 fold higher concentration compared to 6-shogaol.”
But this does not mean the same as “6-shogaol is 10,000 times better than chemotherapy”, as claimed.
FIT spoke with Dr Sameer Kaul, Senior Consultant Oncology and Robotics, Apollo Cancer Institute, who denied any such interpretation.
He adds that clinical research has proven turmeric in concentrated and absorbable form has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and cytostatic activity, which allows it to be used alongside conventional allopathic treatments in adjunctive and supportive roles.
Even for turmeric, the fact that needs to be pressed is that it cannot replace conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, but can only be used in addition.
Of course, ginger is beneficial and helps in other ways. Nutritionist Sahiba Bhardwaj elaborates, “Ginger undoubtedly is loaded with nutrients.”
It is clear, then, that the studies have been misread and misinterpreted, and claims such as these can be very misleading. Consultations with doctors and proven courses of treatment cannot be replaced.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
Published: 05 Sep 2019,06:39 PM IST