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My take? It's interesting that this study reflects the supposition of many traditional teachers of meditation. According to masters of meditation, the aim of the practice is not merely relaxation, but rather they promise that it can calm an agitated consciousness, creating optimal physical and mental health and that ultimately it can help restructure the mind. I usually begin my day with some sitting meditation. I sit and just observe my breath and what is going on in my body. I don't try to stop thoughts, I try to note them, and just witness them.

1. Curcumin seems to delay liver damage in some instances that can eventually lead to cirrhosis.

2. Turmeric reduces levels of heterocyclic amines - carcinogenic compounds that are formed when meats are barbecued, boiled or fried - by up to 40 percent.

3. Curcumin inhibits the growth of a skin cancer (melanoma) and also slows the spread of breast cancer into the lungs.

4. Turmeric that is part of daily curries eaten in India may help explain the low rate of Alzheimer's disease in that country. Among people aged 70 to 79, the rate is less than one-quarter that of the United States.

Some Americans may find straight turmeric powder bitter or otherwise off-putting, but when a teaspoon or two is added to a pot of soup or stew, the flavor disperses and adds a subtle depth and complexity that most people find appealing. If even that's too much for you, both turmeric and curcumin supplements are now widely available - just take one along with your daily multivitamin. Note, however, that turmeric and curcumin are poorly absorbed from the G.I. tract. Absorption is enhanced in the presence of piperine, a constituent of black pepper. Indian cuisine commonly uses turmeric and pepper together. I suggest using only turmeric and curcumin supplements that contain piperine or black pepper extract.

Here is what to expect:

1. A day or two before the procedure, patients are usually required to clean out their colon via a liquid diet and taking laxatives.

2. The day of the colonoscopy, you may be given a mild sedative and pain medication to help you relax. You will not be able to drive yourself home if you are given a sedative, so arrange for transportation ahead of time.

3. The actual test itself involves lying on your side while a long, flexible fiber-optic scope is guided into the rectum. This scope allows the doctor to examine the length of the large intestine for polyps and malignant growths. The flexibility of the scope allows it to move around the curves of the colon; the scope is also constructed so that air can be blown into the colon to inflate it so your doctor can better see the lining of your colon.

4. If the exam reveals abnormalities such as a polyp or inflamed tissue, your doctor can biopsy all or part of the questionable area using tiny instruments passed through the scope. The biopsy will then be sent to a lab for testing. If any bleeding occurs during a biopsy, your doctor can inject special medicines through the scope to stop the bleeding, or use a laser or similar instrument.

When you are finished, you will be expected to remain at the facility for another couple of hours until any sedatives mostly wear off. While bleeding and puncture of the colon are possible complications of colonoscopy, such complications are uncommon.

If you are nervous about getting a colonoscopy, remind yourself that any embarrassment or fear you may experience will only last a few minutes, while the benefits of early detection could add many years to your life.

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The American Cancer Society recommends a colonoscopy for everyone over age 50 and for high-risk people who are younger, yet fewer than half of Americans undergo the test. A colonoscopy looks for early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum, most forms of which are slow growing. As many as 95% of colorectal cancer cases are curable if detected early, and colonoscopy is an effective form of detection: a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine states that the death rate from colorectal cancer was cut by 53 percent in those who had a colonoscopy and whose doctors removed precancerous growths.

So who should get a colonoscopy? Both men and women are at almost equal risk for colorectal cancer, and those age 50 or older are at a higher risk. Other risk factors include a family history of cancer of the colon or rectum, and personal history of:

• Cancer of the colon, rectum, ovary, endometrium or breast, as well as polyps in the colon.

• Ulcerative colitis (ulcers in the lining of the large intestine) or Crohn's disease.

• Hereditary conditions such as familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC; Lynch Syndrome).

In addition to talking about a colonoscopy with your doctor, take a look at your diet and lifestyle: an estimated 50 to 75 percent of colorectal cancer cases can be prevented though small changes. Eat a diet that is high in fruits, vegetable and whole grains, such as the Anti-Inflammatory Diet; reduce your intake of red and processed meats; maintain a healthy weight; don’t smoke; drink alcohol in moderation; and enjoy regular exercise to reduce your chances of developing colorectal cancer or to keep it from coming back.