Element in Red Pepper Could Inhibit Prostate Cancer Growth

Capsaicin, the compound that gives red pepper its heat, could stop the spread of prostate cancer, claims a new study.

Red Pepper and Prostate Cancer

“Red chilli pepper has previously been linked to inhibiting the growth of pancreatic cancer cells, and has been suggested to cut fat and energy intake when added to the diet. ‘We show that capsaicin has a profound inhibiting effect on the growth of prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo , inducing apoptosis [programmed cell death] of prostate cancer cell lines,’ wrote lead author Akio Mori from the University of California, Los Angeles. The new study, published in the journal of Cancer Research (Vol. 66, pp. 3222-3229), showed that the protein NF-kappaB, shown to be active in hormone-independent prostate cancer cells in vitro, was significantly inhibited by the capsaicin.”

I love it when natural, herbal treatments are shown to be so effective in fighting such conditions!