hexagonal said:
I hope you remain cancer free.
But science is driven forward by thorough research where variables are controlled for and sample sizes are large enough for us to determine the effect. Anecdotes by individuals aren't data.
Capsaicin does show some anti-cancer properties! In vitro. We don't know how much, if at all, it impacts it in humans, or if it can counterbalance the very strong effects we know that VEGF promoting compounds can have. I love spicy food, so it's easy already in my diet.
But we're talking about people's lives, so I don't think it's a good idea to suggest that an unproven method of fighting cancer is all one needs to do to make other growth-promoting compounds worry-free.
There is actually mountains of research, and many proven cases of the cancer fighting properties of peppers. Saying the data is anecdotal is simply put, not true.
“Capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers, exhibits anticancer properties by targeting multiple pathways involved in cancer cell growth and survival. Studies suggest capsaicin can induce apoptosis (programmed cell death), inhibit cancer cell growth, and interfere with processes like angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow) and metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body).
Mechanisms of Action:
Apoptosis Induction:
Capsaicin can trigger apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in various cancer cell types, including pancreatic, colon, prostate, liver, and lung cancer cells. It can activate both the intrinsic (mitochondrial) and extrinsic (death receptor) pathways leading to apoptosis.
Cell Cycle Arrest:
Capsaicin can halt the progression of cancer cells through the cell cycle, preventing their uncontrolled proliferation.
Inhibition of Signaling Pathways:
Capsaicin has been shown to interfere with several signaling pathways crucial for cancer cell survival and growth, such as the NF-kB, STAT3, MAPK, PI3K-AKT, hedgehog, and β-catenin pathways.
Angiogenesis Inhibition:
By targeting pathways involved in blood vessel formation, capsaicin can hinder tumor growth by limiting their access to nutrients and oxygen.
Metastasis Inhibition:
Capsaicin can also affect the processes of cancer metastasis, such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and invasion, by modulating pathways like MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases).
Evidence and Studies:
In Vitro Studies:
Numerous studies in cell cultures (in vitro) have demonstrated the anticancer effects of capsaicin against various cancer cell lines.
In Vivo Studies:
Capsaicin has shown promising results in animal models of cancer, suggesting its potential as a chemopreventive or therapeutic agent.
Combination Therapies:
Research explores the potential of using capsaicin in combination with other anticancer drugs or therapies to enhance their effectiveness.
There are mountains of studies and research. Ed Currie is simply a relatable example, which is why I used it. As I said before, do as you wish and believe as you wish. Some people like giving doctors their commission, some believe in science that isn’t profitable, but may be successful anyway.
Anticancer Properties of Capsaicin Against Human Cancer - PubMed
There is persuasive epidemiological and experimental evidence that dietary phytochemicals have anticancer activity. Capsaicin is a bioactive phytochemical abundant in red and chili peppers. While the preponderance of the data strongly indicates significant anticancer benefits of capsaicin, more...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov