In genetics, a mutagen is a physical or chemical agent that changes the genetic material, usually DNA, of an organism and thus increases the frequency of mutations above the natural background level. As many mutations can cause cancer, mutagens are therefore also likely to be carcinogens, although not always necessarily so. Some chemicals only become mutagenic through cellular processes. Not all mutations are caused by mutagens: so-called spontaneous mutations occur due to spontaneous hydrolys
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric, a spice in the ginger family used in cooking and for medical purposes.Used by doctors and health care providers in Asian cultures, this supplement is thought to have anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antioxidant properties.urcumin is used as a supplement in treatment of several medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, ulcers, scabies, heartburn, bursitis, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), osteoarthritis and AIDS.
The root is harvested, cleaned, dried, and powdered to be used as a spice (turmeric gives curry its beautiful golden yellow color) and as a medicine. Traditionally, turmeric was used for nearly every health condition known - from smallpox to a sprained ankle. The reason for its health effects is the compound known as curcumin. Just as oranges are a source of vitamin C, turmeric is a source of curcumin. Today, we extract curcumin from turmeric to use as a natural medicine. But, a typical turmeric root contains about 2-5% curcumin, so taking an unstandardized, powdered turmeric root product means that very large amounts would be required to get a beneficial amount of curcumin. Additionally, curcumin is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.