Study: Rats, Cheese, and Cancer
By
Natalie Moore
Posted July 16, 2016
- Was Pizza Rat on to something?
- Scientists reveal a naturally occurring preservative could change the fight against cancer. Find out more…
- Add this cancer-crushing and bug-busting food to your grocery list today!
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
Remember Pizza Rat?
You know… the adorable rat that dragged a slice of pizza through the subway.
Source: Nationalreport.net
Well, if that pizza had extra cheese on it, Pizza Rat may have been getting more than a free lunch.
You see, according to research from the University of Michigan, nisin — a naturally occurring preservative in cheese and other milk products — is clobbering cancer and drug-resistant bacteria.
We’ll talk about its antibacterial properties in just a bit.
First, let’s talk about cancer…
More Cheese, Please
The study found that nisin can slow down or stop the growth of head and neck cancer cells. The researchers fed “nisin milkshakes” to rats afflicted with neck and head tumors.
And after just nine weeks, the scientists found that 70–80 percent of the tumors died!
Since oral cancers take the lives of millions every year, this research has the potential to save many. Moreover, oral cancer survival rates haven’t improved in decades, which makes this treatment possibly even more significant.
Dr. Yvonne Kapila, DDS, Ph.D., professor of dentistry at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, had this to say about the findings:
The poor five-year survival rates for oral cancer underscore the need to find new therapies for oral cancer. The use of small antibacterial agents, like nisin, to treat cancer is a new approach that holds great promise. Nisin is a perfect example of this potential because it has been used safely in humans for many years, and now the laboratory studies support its anti-tumor potential.
Per the research, nisin is a nontoxic, tasteless, and colorless powder found in small doses in dairy foods. However, the dose given to the rats in the study was about 22 times the amount found in food sources.
But don’t worry, there is still a lot of power in just a slice of cheese.
Squash Superbugs With a Slice of Swiss
You see, nisin is also a powerful antibacterial agent. It can kill off drug-resistant bacteria or superbugs in smaller doses, according to a 1999 study in Science. In addition, Kapila and her team are also testing nisin’s antibacterial powers in her lab.
She reports, “To date, nobody has found bacteria from humans or living animals that is resistant to nisin.” There are two reasons for this…
Nisin binds to the bacteria and keeps them from mutating into superbugs. And nisin kills biofilms. These colonies of bacteria can join forces against antibiotics and make them useless.
While more research needs to be done on both cancer and superbug treatment, it looks like nisin is off to a promising start. In the meantime, you might want to pick up some cheese this weekend.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Sources
[1] Common food preservative may slow, even stop tumor growth
[2] Food preservative kills cancer cells, superbugs
[3] Food Preservative or Powerful Antibiotic? Nisin Z Could Be Both
Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
50-Cent Nutrient Puts the Brakes on Aging
Scientists discovered a remarkable “anti-aging” solution hiding in plain sight. It isn’t some exotic compound from a remote rainforest or an expensive laboratory creation. It’s a nutrient you can find at any pharmacy for less than the cost of a cup of coffee. The trouble is, most seniors aren’t getting enough of it, which researchers...
The Hidden Brain Risk Lurking in Your Living Room
If you’re reading this while settled into your favorite chair, you might want to consider standing up… New research uncovered something that might surprise you. Sitting too much can literally shrink your brain. But it gets worse… We all know being sedentary isn’t good for our health. However, researchers at Vanderbilt University uncovered something alarming....
“Biohack” Your Life Like a Billionaire?! Here’s How
You’ve probably seen the headlines about the billionaire who spent millions on “biohacking” to try to make himself younger. He measures hundreds of biomarkers and pops dozens of pills daily. And he’s undergoing experimental treatments that cost more than most folks’ houses. It may have left you wondering if regular people like you and I...
Do THIS Daily to Improve Strength, Flexibility, and Endurance
For any couch potatoes out there… I have some exciting news. If you’ve been avoiding exercise because you hate the gym or don’t have the time, that might be about to change. A groundbreaking study reveals how a few simple moves, done daily in your own home, could dramatically improve your fitness—even if you’ve skipped...
Mailbag: A Post-Prostate Cancer Blueprint for a Better Recovery
“My son just got his prostate removed because of cancer. He is doing well and recovering. My question is there any information you can forward with regards to his lifestyle? Are there things he should not eat, things he should be eating, is social drinking a risk, any vitamins that should be on his list?...
The Stroke-Boosting Threat Lurking in YOUR Arteries
We want to take a moment on this Memorial Day to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, dedication, and selfless commitment to protecting our freedoms will never be forgotten, and their legacy lives on in the country they helped preserve. I’ve warned you...
20-Minute AM Hack Will Revolutionize How You Wake Up
If you feel like you’re in a fog for the first hour after your alarm goes off, you’re not alone. Mornings can be rough. That groggy, disoriented feeling isn’t just annoying—it’s a real physiological phenomenon called “sleep inertia.” And it can drag on for up to two hours after waking, even if you’ve had a...
Weekly Habit QUINTUPLES Your Cancer Risk
Everyone knows that sugar-sweetened sodas aren’t going to win any nutrition awards. That’s not news. But now, a disturbing new study suggests these soft drinks hide a deadly secret. A regular soda habit could do far more damage than just expand your waistline or raise your diabetes risk. The new research reveals these sugary treats...
Unlikely Duo Naturally SLASHES High Blood Pressure
Some things just naturally belong together—such as peanut butter and jelly, salsa and chips, or two peas in a pod. But there’s an unlikely pair that researchers say could do wonders for your heart health. A comprehensive new study from the University of Surrey has revealed that compounds found naturally in tea and chocolate can...
The Surprising Link Between Jaw Tension and Anxiety
Ever catch yourself clenching your jaw when you’re stuck in traffic or waiting for an important phone call? Well, it might tell you something important about what’s happening “upstairs.” Turns out, that jaw tension isn’t just annoying—it’s a direct hotline to your anxiety levels. And most of us don’t even realize we’re doing it. I’ve...