Study claims smelling farts prevents cancer - here are some less pungent alternatives

(NaturalNews) Does smelling farts prevent cancer? A recent study from the University of Exeter Medical School that investigated the health benefits of hydrogen sulfide has taken on a viral message that smelling farts can prevent cancer; however, this is not exactly true. The study was on a chemical called AP39 and was investigating the effect of hydrogen sulfide on mitochondria. The study was published in the MedChemComm journal and is called "The synthesis and functional evaluation of a mitochondria-targeted hydrogen sulfide donor, (10-oxo-10-(4-(3-thioxo-3H-1,2-dithiol-5-yl)phenoxy)decyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide (AP39)."

What is the gas in farts?
Flatulence is caused when food is poorly digested. Smelling of rotten eggs, farts are actually a gas composed of hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide gas is not healthy in large doses, but articles on the internet surmised that small amounts would reduce the risk of arthritis, heart attacks, stroke, dementia and cancer.

What is AP39?
AP39 is a synthetic chemical that contains hydrogen sulfide and has been investigated as a way to protect cells by preserving the mitochondria in the cells. Using AP39, researchers are working on creating a drug to emulate the healing effects of hydrogen sulfide. AP39 is designed to deliver small amounts of hydrogen sulfide to the cells. "Our results indicate that if stressed cells are treated with AP39, mitochondria are protected and cells stay alive." From this research, the exaggerated idea circulated on the internet that simply smelling a fart would prevent cancer.

What are mitochondria?
Mitochondria are small organelles inside cells. They are responsible for the energy of the cell and the process of cellular respiration, which is how the cell converts nutrients to adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The number of mitochondria in a cell varies depending on the cell's function. For instance, liver cells can have as many as 2,000 mitochondria, while blood cells have none. The mitochondria even contain DNA, the mtDNA that is passed down from mothers. This mtDNA maternal inheritance is used by most plants and animals who have a single parent.

Alternative cancer cures
Recent research has also pointed to a variety of cancer treatments. Some of the most noticeable are the uses of turmeric or its active ingredient, curcumin. Numerous studies have confirmed turmeric's effect in killing cancer cells. Even eating rice bran and walking in the woods can turn on the natural killer cells that destroy cancer cells.

Enzymatically modified rice bran could possibly be used for cancer treatment. With doses of 2,000 mg a day for three months, the 48 participants in a study increased their killer cell activity by 84%. Vitamin D has been shown to prevent or treat 24 types of cancer. Many people switch to raw foods or macrobiotic diets as a successful cancer treatment. Drinking raw juices is a simple way to get the amount of antioxidants needed. Even the National Cancer Institute recommends eating many servings of vegetables a day. They have recently added cruciferous vegetables to their recommendations, as these foods have been found to have a particularly beneficial effect on treating cancer. High doses of vitamin C have also bee used as a cancer treatment. Research is currently underway investigating the use of a compound in sweet potato greens to treat prostate cancer.

Homeopathy and cancer
Homeopathic medicine has also shown evidence in successfully treating cancers. One of the main remedies is Carcinosinum, which is used for certain types of tumors. Seeking advice of a homeopath is recommended when using homeopathy for cancer. A number of clinics have now been set up across the United States that integrate a group of practitioners in one setting to treat cancer. These centers allow patients to utilize conventional cancer treatments alongside acupuncture, homeopathy, nutrition and lifestyle coaching, offering the best of both worlds.

About the author:
Melanie Grimes is a writer, medical editor and health educator. A classically trained homeopath, she has lectured internationally and been on faculty at Bastyr University. You can follow her blog at MelanieGrimes.com.

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