is curcumin tumeric
1 Curcuminâa derivative of turmeric, and the pigment that gives the curry spice turmeric its yellow-orange colorâhas been extensively researched.2  Curcumin appears to be universally useful for just about every type of cancer, and has the most evidence-based literature supporting its use against cancer of any nutrient.nfortunately, while there's some curcumin in whole turmeric, there's not enough in the regular spice to achieve clinically relevant results. The turmeric root itself contains only about three percent curcumin concentration. Another major limitation of curcumin as a therapeutic agent is that it is poorly absorbed.