Tangerine Peel "Kills Cancer"
In a recent article, BBC News reported on research concluding that a compound extracted from tangerine peel can kill certain human cancer cells, information I thought worth sharing…
According to a research team at Leicester School of Pharmacy, Salvestrol Q40 - a type of phytoalexin (a chemical produced by plants to repel attackers, such as insects or fungi) extracted from tangerine peel, can kill certain human cancer cells. “Salvestrol Q40 is found at higher concentrations in the peel of the tangerine than in the flesh of the fruit, and is converted into a toxic compound by the cytochrome P450 CYP1B1 enzyme:
As a result, the researchers found, it proved to be 20 times more toxic to cancer cells than their healthy equivalents.
Dr. Tan said Salvestrol was found in other fruit and vegetables, such as the brassica family, which includes broccoli and brussels sprouts.
However, the compound tends to be produced at higher levels when infection levels among crops are high.
Therefore, the use of modern pesticides and fungicides, which have cut the risk of infections, have also led to a drop in Salvestrol levels in food.
CYP1B1 has been found to be expressed at a high frequency in a wide range of human cancers of different histogenetic types, including cancers of the breast, colon, lung, esophagus, skin, lymph node, brain, and testis.
Via Hyscience.
Doug
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Reader Comments (8)
I read this somewhere else. I usually put some of the peal from oranges and tangerines when I make a fruit smoothie. It doesn't noticeably effect the taste and provides the additional health benefits.
This would be wonderful news if if turns out to be true. It is sometimes surprising that something right under our noses turns out to be good for us and in this case possibly life saving. I for one will start finding a way to include the peel in my diet.
This is excellent! I assume that it not only kills live cancer cells, it also prevents them from forming? That would be wonderful!
Can anyone suggest ways to eat the peels besides putting them in smoothies? They don't taste very good and I don't have a blender.
Note that this is just a study, not a scientific conclusion, and that it may be 5-7 years before the research leads to clinical trials. Note also that the study points to the possible benefits of "an extract" from the peel. Finally, scientists have long pointed out that many fruits today are eaten without the skins and we therefore lose whatever beneficial elements they contain.
My conclusion is that eating the peels MAY fight cancer. How much? Still an unknown. Will doing so cure cancer? Also still an unknown.
In answer to David's question, I suspect that cooking the peels would reduce the potency of the enzyme. Aside from getting used to eating them raw, I would suggest a machine like the Vitamix to blend them into am enriched smoothie.
Disclaimer: I am neither a doctor, scientist nor nutritionist. I do practice good health and freely share my lay opinions.
Learn to eat them like an apple, peel and all. You'll get used to it. We got used to being pampered with strained and processed foods and lost much of our immunities. Get back to eating the way it comes out of the ground or off the tree and you will be healthier and live longer.
Try adding it to cooked dishes near the end of the cooking cycle. I really don't think a little heat will damage whatever is in the peel. It will probably just be infused into whatever you are cooking. Try in in risotto or in soups.
Yuk!!!!
The article doesn't say how much peel to eat, how often, etc. If it is just a little, then grow up and eat it. If it is a lot, eat it in several sittings.