Theres just been a major breakthrough in type-1 diabetes that could lead to a prevention or cure for the condition. It comes rather as a shock as well. You see, for decades medical dogma said that type-1 diabetes, which generally occurs in children, results from absolute death of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Dead cells do not produce insulin.
But what if these cells are not dead? What if they were told not to produce insulin by your own nervous system?
A Toronto research team has inadvertently discovered another model of type-1 diabetes. The research team took type-1 diabetes-prone mice and injected an extract of hot red pepper (capsaicin) directly into the artery feeding their pancreas. Red pepper contains a compound called substance P. This compound has the ability to modulate sensory nerve endings. That is why red pepper has been used for generations for pain relief and inflammation, even though it is very hot.
The researchers found that when sensory nerve endings in the pancreas were disrupted with substance P, pancreas inflammation, pre-diabetes, and overt diabetes were reversed for weeks! Apparently, the sensory nerves in the pancreas actually secrete mediators of inflammation that shut off insulin production in beta cells that are still alive. When the malfunctioning nerve endings were treated with capsaicin, the mice became normal almost immediately.
I just love it when new discoveries from within conventional medicine disprove longheld dogma. In this case, the discovery could be a literal Godsend to millions of people with type-1 diabetes. Researchers will have to try it on humans and work out details. Once they do, it might lead to treatments you can do at home. On the other hand, drug companies will be more likely to fund studies of chemically altered versions of the natural capsaicin. That way they can patent it and make bazillions. We do not know where this will go, but please stay tuned. I will bring you information on this stunning breakthrough as more is discovered.
In the meantime, this is yet another reason to add peppers to your diet — or take a capsaicin supplement. The impact wont be as great as the injected form, but it will help, especially over time.
Ref: Cell, vol. 127, no. 6, 15, December 2006, Pages 1097-1099.