Source: Reuters
Capsaicin, which makes peppers hot, can cause prostate cancer cells to kill themselves, U.S. and Japanese researchers said on Wednesday. Capsaicin led 80 percent of human prostate cancer cells growing in mice to commit suicide in a process known as apoptosis, the researchers said. Prostate cancer tumors in mice fed capsaicin were about one-fifth the size of tumors in untreated mice, they reported in the journal Cancer Research.
"Capsaicin had a profound anti-proliferative effect on human prostate cancer cells in culture," said Dr. Soren Lehmann of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine. "It also dramatically slowed the development of prostate tumors formed by those human cell lines grown in mouse models."
While it is far easier to cure cancer in mice infected with human tumors than it is in human beings, the findings suggest a possible future treatment. They also may offer a good excuse for men who like spicy food to eat more of it. Lehmann estimated that the mice ate the human equivalent of 400 milligrams of capsaicin three times a week. That is about the amount found in three to eight fresh habanero peppers, depending on how hot the peppers are.
The capsaicin inhibited the activity of NF-kappa beta, a molecular mechanism that helps lead to apoptosis in many cell types. Prostate cancer is the most common malignant cancer in U.S. men. It is diagnosed in 232,000 men every year and kills up to 30,000 of them. Worldwide, 221,000 men die every year from prostate cancer.
Garlic
For centuries, garlic has been considered a “cure-all” and is said to be able to treat just about every ailment from the cold to the Plague.
Not only does it aid in protecting us from the common cold, but it also has cholesterol, and blood pressure lowering abilities.
Find out more Garlic health benefits
Onions
Onion extracts are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for providing relief in the treatment of coughs and colds, asthma and bronchitis.
Find out more Onion health benefits
Curry
Thanks to the increased scientific awareness of the healing properties of curry, more and more scientists are new beginning to investigate its potential for medicinal use.
Find out more Curry health benefits
Habanero
Habanero chili peppers can provide symptomatic relief from rhinitis and possibly bronchitis by clearing mucus from stuffed noses or congested lungs.
Find out more Habanero health benefits
Paprika
As an antibacterial agent and stimulant, paprika can help normalize blood pressure, improve circulation, and increase the production of saliva and stomach acids to aid digestion.
Find out more Paprika health benefits
Tumeric
Tumerica has anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease.
Find out more Tumeric health benefits
Vinegar
Vinegar has been shown to to help relive the symptoms of allergies from pollen, food and pets. It can cure sinus infections and help treat acne, high cholesterol, sore throats and can help with arthritis.
Find out more Vinegar health benefits
Mustard
Mustard seeds are a very good source of omega-3 fatty acids as well as calcium, dietary fiber, iron, manganese, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, protein, selenium and zinc. Selenium is a nutrient that has been shown to help reduce asthma, arthritis and certain cancers. Magnesium also reduces asthma and lowers blood pressure. The effects of mustard are currently being studied for menopausal women and on migraine attacks.
Find out more Mustard health benefits
Helpful Health Benefit links
