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Vinegar has long been praised for its health benefits and antimicrobial properties. Now there is evidence that acetic acid, the primary ingredient in common household vinegar, can also be a powerful anticancer agent, capable of killing cancer cells in minutes.
In a Japanese study published in the December issue of the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, scientists say that acetic acid used on its own, or in conjunction with chemotherapy, could potentially be an effective treatment option for mesothelioma and other cancers.
The study team reached this conclusion after adding varying concentrations of acetic acid to two lines of mesothelioma cell cultures cultivated from human patients. Upon review of the effects, scientists found that the acid effectively killed nearly all the cancer cells, even in concentrations as low as 0.5%. The cells were exposed anywhere from one to ten minutes, and the response was similar even in the shorter time frames.
Researchers also tested the effects of acetic acid in concentrations of 0.01% to 0.5% on stomach cancer cells from rats and humans. They found the compound to have greater effectiveness in the higher concentration, with an 80% cell death after one minute of exposure. Interestingly, the human stomach cancer cell lines were observed to be more sensitive to the acid than those of the rats. Overall, the human mesothelioma cells showed the most significant response, with nearly complete cell death occurring after ten minutes.
The scientists have suggested that a direct application of acetic acid alone, or together with chemotherapy to tumor sites, may be a feasible approach for the treatment of mesothelioma and some stomach cancers.
Acetic acid is a colorless liquid that gives vinegar its pungent odor and sour taste. Common household vinegar usually has an acetic acid concentration of 5-8%. Vinegar has been used to flavor and preserve food for thousands of years. It is said to have potent antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. The medicinal use of vinegar dates back to 400 BC, when Hippocrates used it to clean and treat wounds.
Although much has been written about the potential infection-fighting properties of vinegar when used as a dietary supplement, the authors of this study stressed that the results of their research should not be taken as evidence that consuming acetic acid in vinegar can combat mesothelioma or any other types of cancer. In fact, experts warn that regular consumption of large amounts of vinegar can be toxic, even lethal.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is known to be resistant to chemotherapy. Doctors are hopeful that the promising results of this study will open the door to further research and human clinical trials, leading to better treatment of this deadly disease.
Mesothelioma is a deadly and difficult disease to treat caused by exposure to asbestos. The high costs of treating the disease can be devastating to mesothelioma victims and their families. New Jersey mesothelioma lawyers at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler are committed to seeking justice and financial relief for those who have suffered exposure to asbestos because of the carelessness or recklessness of their employer. We represent clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. To schedule your free consultation with one of our caring and knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyers, call 800-369-0899 today or contact us online.