Capsaicin a Cure for Leukemia ?
A hot pepper extract is used in a nasal spray to relieve sinus congestion and headaches. This is reported to be a hot product in more ways than one. Sales are quite brisk. A web site has been set up to handle marketing.
Capsaicin (cap-SAY-sin) is the substance in hot peppers that causes the intense burning sensation in your mouth when you eat them. That is big news for those who suffer from headaches and sinus problems because the relief is said to be instantaneous. But that's not the really big news.
Capsaicin and Leukemia ?
The big news, however , is in the following report:
“Capsaicin treatment inhibited the growth of ATL cells both in dose- and time-dependent manner. ( Inhibit – to hold in check) The inhibitory effect was mainly due to the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.” (Well, how about that? The induction of apoptosis is exactly what I need. Apoptosis refers to the built in programmed death for a cell. If capsaicin induces apoptosis in all the leukemia white blood cells then we are talking CURE for leukemia because the excess white blood cells will die off as a result of apoptosis.)
The press release is not clear as to whether the apoptosis is induced in only newly produced leukemia cells or if it affects previously produced cells.
A little bird whispered in my ear that experimentation is taking place attempting to determine suitable concentrations of capsaicin, which could be taken in drops diluted with distilled water. Too bad the pharmaceuticals couldn’t get onto it and obtain a patent. They could charge a gazillion dollars for enough concentrate to cure one person.
Be prepared for a massive campaign to discredit capsaicin as a leukemia treatment because it is a natural substance that is easily grown and processed. Can you say Alternative Health without smiling?
More information on capsaicin here.
9:11:52 AM 
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