Can a treatment for cystic fibrosis be sitting on your spice shelf?A new study has shown that the compound curcumin, which is found in the spice turmeric, dramatically improved lung and digestive function in mice with the disease. Experts warn, however, against raising expectations too high. “It’s not the first and not the last in the sense of panacea treatment for cystic fibrosis,” said Dr. Mikhail Kazachkov, a pediatric pulmonologist at Maimonides Medical Center in New York City. “It is promising, but the main thing is not to give fake hope to families, because they have gone through many things before.” Although these findings fall clearly into the “promising-but-preliminary” category, clinical trials are set to start this summer.
