It has been a weird week in health news. First doctors said that Justin Bieber might save young boys\u2019 lives (the \u201chip\u201d bowl cut is actually a form of sun protection \u2014 skin cancer be gone!), and now scientists out of the University of Exeter insist that smelling farts could actually prevent cancer, among other diseases. Uh, okay.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough hydrogen sulfide gas\u201d\u2014produced when bacteria breaks down food\u2014\u201dis well known as a pungent, foul-smelling gas in rotten eggs and flatulence, it is naturally produced in the body and could in fact be a healthcare hero with significant implications for future therapies for a variety of diseases,\u201d Dr. Mark Wood said in a university release.<\/p>\n
Although the stinky gas can be noxious in large doses, the researchers seem to think that a whiff here and there has the power to reduce risks of cancer, strokes, heart attacks, arthritis, and dementia by preserving mitochondria. Researchers are even coming up with their own compound to emulate the stinky smell\u2019s health benefits.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018We have exploited this natural process by making a compound, called AP39, which slowly delivers very small amounts of this gas specifically to the mitochondria,\u201d Professor Matt Whiteman, who worked on the study to be published in the Medicinal Chemistry Communications journal, said.<\/p>\n
So thank the guy in the elevator. While it might have seemed like the ride from hell, it might just save your life.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Credit: time.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It has been a weird week in health news. First doctors said that Justin Bieber might save young boys\u2019 lives (the \u201chip\u201d bowl cut is actually a form of sun protection \u2014 skin cancer be gone!), and now scientists out of the University of Exeter insist that smelling farts could actually prevent cancer, among other […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":31393,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[7],"yoast_head":"\n