05-13-2010, 06:30 AM
Scientists have discovered the key to the ability of spicy foods to kill cancer cells.
They found capsaicin, an ingredient of jalapeno peppers, triggers cancer cell death by attacking mitochondria - the cells' energy-generating boiler rooms.
The research raises the possibility that other cancer drugs could be developed to target mitochondria.
The Nottingham University study features in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.
The study showed that the family of molecules to which capsaicin belongs, the vanilloids, bind to proteins in the cancer cell mitochondria to trigger apoptosis, or cell death, without harming surrounding healthy cells.
“ We believe that we have in effect discovered a fundamental 'Achilles heel' for all cancers ”
Dr Timothy Bates
Capsaicin was tested on cultures of human lung cancer cells and on pancreatic cancers.
Lead researcher Dr Timothy Bates said: "As these compounds attack the very heart of the tumour cells, we believe that we have in effect discovered a fundamental 'Achilles heel' for all cancers.
"The biochemistry of the mitochondria in cancer cells is very different from that in normal cells.
"This is an innate selective vulnerability of cancer cells."
He said a dose of capsaicin that could cause a cancer cell to enter apoptosis, would not have the same effect on a normal cell.
“ Cancer Research UK recommends reducing your risk of cancer by eating a healthy, balanced diet, with plenty of vegetables and fruit ”
Josephine Querido
Potential Drugs
The fact that capsaicin and other vanilloids are already commonly found in the diet proves they are safe to eat.
This could make development of a drug containing them a much quicker and cheaper process.
Dr Bates said: "Capsaicin, for example, is already found in treatments for muscle strain and psoriasis - which raises the question of whether an adapted topical treatment could be used to treat certain types of skin cancer.
"It's also possible that cancer patients or those at risk of developing cancer could be advised to eat a diet which is richer in spicy foods to help treat or prevent the disease."
However, Josephine Querido, cancer information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "This research does not suggest that eating vast quantities of chilli pepper will help prevent or treat cancer.
"The experiments showed that pepper extracts killed cancer cells grown in the laboratory, but these have not yet been tested to see if they are safe and effective in humans."
Cancer Research UK recommends reducing the risk of cancer by eating a healthy, balanced diet, with plenty of vegetables and fruit.
Dr Bates added that the mitochondria in cancer cells could also be targeted by other compounds.
He said the investigation and development of anti-mitochondrial drugs for cancer chemotherapy was likely to be "extremely significant" in the fight against cancer.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne is the strongest of the capsicum family and is one of the greatest herbs on the planet. It's health benefits are often ignored or ridiculed by the general public, like garlic, due to its culinary use and associations. It is the number one circulatory herb, being extremely effective and totally harmless.
Natural Remedy for the Circulation
It has a total effect on the circulation and performs all the main actions required of a natural circulatory remedy. It prevents stickiness of blood platelets, considerably reducing the tendency to clot and has a resolving action on existent thrombosis. This is remarkable in view of the fact that it rapidly stops internal and external hemorrhage. It cleans the blood vessels making long term use or regular courses a rejuvenator of the circulation. It can have a wonderful effect on brain clarity and memory, especially for the elderly by its normalizing effect on the circulation to that most vital organ! This normalizing effect means that any areas of the body that are deficient in blood supply, such as the brain, will receive fresh vitalizing blood to renew and restore. The normalizing effect also means that high blood pressure will tend to be reduced and low blood pressure raised. Cases of gangrene have been reported cured by this wonderful herb.
Cayenne and Heart Attacks
This herb even has the capability to abort some types of heart attack and angina. (If a blood clot is not the major cause.) For example when there is pain in the heart and the left arm (angina) and more severely, a crushing pain (like an elephant sitting on the chest), sipping a glass of hot water into which a teaspoon of cayenne has previously been infused (i.e. by bringing the water to the boil with one teaspoon of cayenne added, and leaving to infuse for a few minutes) will, in many cases abort the attack within minutes.
Regular use of a sufficient dose of cayenne will keep these individuals free of heart attacks for many years, possibly for life, with those of this susceptibility. (One does not have to endure the burning taste of the hot water method for regular use, encapsulation being the preferred option!). This action of Cayenne is due to its ability to help oxygenate the tissues, combined with an antispasmodic property. Adequate tissue oxygenation is one of the prime factors in health maintenance, especially relevant with the elderly. Its action on the heart goes even further to help produce a regular heart beat.
Cayenne and Digestion
Another valuable effect of capsicum is on the digestion. It is actually good for the stomach. Indigestion, poor digestion and even stomach ulcers are all improved or rectified. (It is possibly due to its antiseptic properties that the bacteria involved in stomach ulcer cases is eliminated). So contrary to what is sometimes believed, cayenne will not harm the stomach or other internal organs, but only aid function. It has a stimulating effect where there is sluggishness of the digestion or circulation, yet normalizes high blood pressure. It is used in many herbal formulations, even those not aimed at the digestion or circulation, since it is used to help circulate or 'carry' the other herbs around the body.
Cayenne helps maintain the presence of blood within the vessels, and to provide a balance of white blood cells, therefore supporting the lymph system. It is an effective remedy for 'piles' by equalizing circulation to the anus. It is also very beneficial for circulatory disorders of the extremities, including the legs, such as claudication, varicose veins etc. This article does not allow sufficient space to anywhere nearly describe the full extent of the capability and action of cayenne,
PLEASE DO MORE RESEARCH ON IT, IT HAS MADE A MAJOR DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE. I eat 2 Table Spoons of Cayenne Pepper powder everyday. 1972 Mach 1
They found capsaicin, an ingredient of jalapeno peppers, triggers cancer cell death by attacking mitochondria - the cells' energy-generating boiler rooms.
The research raises the possibility that other cancer drugs could be developed to target mitochondria.
The Nottingham University study features in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.
The study showed that the family of molecules to which capsaicin belongs, the vanilloids, bind to proteins in the cancer cell mitochondria to trigger apoptosis, or cell death, without harming surrounding healthy cells.
“ We believe that we have in effect discovered a fundamental 'Achilles heel' for all cancers ”
Dr Timothy Bates
Capsaicin was tested on cultures of human lung cancer cells and on pancreatic cancers.
Lead researcher Dr Timothy Bates said: "As these compounds attack the very heart of the tumour cells, we believe that we have in effect discovered a fundamental 'Achilles heel' for all cancers.
"The biochemistry of the mitochondria in cancer cells is very different from that in normal cells.
"This is an innate selective vulnerability of cancer cells."
He said a dose of capsaicin that could cause a cancer cell to enter apoptosis, would not have the same effect on a normal cell.
“ Cancer Research UK recommends reducing your risk of cancer by eating a healthy, balanced diet, with plenty of vegetables and fruit ”
Josephine Querido
Potential Drugs
The fact that capsaicin and other vanilloids are already commonly found in the diet proves they are safe to eat.
This could make development of a drug containing them a much quicker and cheaper process.
Dr Bates said: "Capsaicin, for example, is already found in treatments for muscle strain and psoriasis - which raises the question of whether an adapted topical treatment could be used to treat certain types of skin cancer.
"It's also possible that cancer patients or those at risk of developing cancer could be advised to eat a diet which is richer in spicy foods to help treat or prevent the disease."
However, Josephine Querido, cancer information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "This research does not suggest that eating vast quantities of chilli pepper will help prevent or treat cancer.
"The experiments showed that pepper extracts killed cancer cells grown in the laboratory, but these have not yet been tested to see if they are safe and effective in humans."
Cancer Research UK recommends reducing the risk of cancer by eating a healthy, balanced diet, with plenty of vegetables and fruit.
Dr Bates added that the mitochondria in cancer cells could also be targeted by other compounds.
He said the investigation and development of anti-mitochondrial drugs for cancer chemotherapy was likely to be "extremely significant" in the fight against cancer.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne is the strongest of the capsicum family and is one of the greatest herbs on the planet. It's health benefits are often ignored or ridiculed by the general public, like garlic, due to its culinary use and associations. It is the number one circulatory herb, being extremely effective and totally harmless.
Natural Remedy for the Circulation
It has a total effect on the circulation and performs all the main actions required of a natural circulatory remedy. It prevents stickiness of blood platelets, considerably reducing the tendency to clot and has a resolving action on existent thrombosis. This is remarkable in view of the fact that it rapidly stops internal and external hemorrhage. It cleans the blood vessels making long term use or regular courses a rejuvenator of the circulation. It can have a wonderful effect on brain clarity and memory, especially for the elderly by its normalizing effect on the circulation to that most vital organ! This normalizing effect means that any areas of the body that are deficient in blood supply, such as the brain, will receive fresh vitalizing blood to renew and restore. The normalizing effect also means that high blood pressure will tend to be reduced and low blood pressure raised. Cases of gangrene have been reported cured by this wonderful herb.
Cayenne and Heart Attacks
This herb even has the capability to abort some types of heart attack and angina. (If a blood clot is not the major cause.) For example when there is pain in the heart and the left arm (angina) and more severely, a crushing pain (like an elephant sitting on the chest), sipping a glass of hot water into which a teaspoon of cayenne has previously been infused (i.e. by bringing the water to the boil with one teaspoon of cayenne added, and leaving to infuse for a few minutes) will, in many cases abort the attack within minutes.
Regular use of a sufficient dose of cayenne will keep these individuals free of heart attacks for many years, possibly for life, with those of this susceptibility. (One does not have to endure the burning taste of the hot water method for regular use, encapsulation being the preferred option!). This action of Cayenne is due to its ability to help oxygenate the tissues, combined with an antispasmodic property. Adequate tissue oxygenation is one of the prime factors in health maintenance, especially relevant with the elderly. Its action on the heart goes even further to help produce a regular heart beat.
Cayenne and Digestion
Another valuable effect of capsicum is on the digestion. It is actually good for the stomach. Indigestion, poor digestion and even stomach ulcers are all improved or rectified. (It is possibly due to its antiseptic properties that the bacteria involved in stomach ulcer cases is eliminated). So contrary to what is sometimes believed, cayenne will not harm the stomach or other internal organs, but only aid function. It has a stimulating effect where there is sluggishness of the digestion or circulation, yet normalizes high blood pressure. It is used in many herbal formulations, even those not aimed at the digestion or circulation, since it is used to help circulate or 'carry' the other herbs around the body.
Cayenne helps maintain the presence of blood within the vessels, and to provide a balance of white blood cells, therefore supporting the lymph system. It is an effective remedy for 'piles' by equalizing circulation to the anus. It is also very beneficial for circulatory disorders of the extremities, including the legs, such as claudication, varicose veins etc. This article does not allow sufficient space to anywhere nearly describe the full extent of the capability and action of cayenne,
PLEASE DO MORE RESEARCH ON IT, IT HAS MADE A MAJOR DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE. I eat 2 Table Spoons of Cayenne Pepper powder everyday. 1972 Mach 1