Ginger successful in cancer therapy

Study: Ginger helps cancer patients with nausea

07/26/2013

Many cancer patients rely on the stomach-soothing effects of ginger root. Until now, it was unclear how ginger actually works. Scientists have now solved the puzzle: The ingredients of ginger inhibit messengers of the crushing center in the brain.

Many cancer patients suffer from the side effects of chemotherapy: nausea and vomiting. The nausea is triggered by the cytotoxins contained in the chemo-drugs.

These attack especially cells that often divide - primarily cancer cells. But also intestinal cells are constantly renewed and are therefore particularly susceptible to the drugs. The damaged cells release the messenger serotonin. This docks to a receptor on the surface of nerve cells and thus activates the vomiting center in the brain. The result is nausea and vomiting.

quiz solved
The scientists around PD Dr. Beate Niesler from the Institute of Human Genetics of the University Hospital in Heidelberg found out that the ginger root contains a number of highly effective ingredients. These occupy the serotonin docking sites on the nerve cells. The result: Serotonin can no longer bind. The vomiting center is not activated and the nausea remains. This is how the classic anti-emetic works. (Pm)

w.r.wagner