Spicy-Hot News: Chili Peppers Provide Link to IBS Pain

Scientists in Great Britain recently discovered that TRPV1, the pain receptor that responds to the compound that causes the spicy heat of chili peppers, is also abundant in patients with IBS. Scientists studied biopsies from the colons of 23 people with IBS and 23 healthy people. It seems that the increased number of nerve fibers cause hypersensitivity to pain. These findings will allow pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs that block TRPV1, giving relief to the 20% of adults who suffer from the condition. Yahoo! News, June 10, 2008
2008-06-20 18:48:29