When your partner wants to play Dutch ovens, he is only trying to look after your health.
When I fart in the elevator, everyone should thank me.
If I fart in your general direction... It is a caring gesture.
‘Health hero’ just isn’t nice to be around
It may be hard to swallow but other people’s flatulence could be good for your health, scientists have found.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have identified hydrogen sulphide, a principal and odiferous component in flatus, as providing health benefits that could protect against diabetes, strokes, heart attacks and even dementia.
Although the chemical is toxic in large doses, in tiny amounts it helps protect cells’ mitochondria, an important component in fighting illness.
A study, published in the journal Medicinal Chemistry Communications, has isolated a new compound named AP39 which assists the body to produce the amount of hydrogen sulphide it needs. They believe it will help prevent or reverse mitochondrial damage.
Professor Matt Whiteman, of the University of Exeter’s medical school, said: “When cells become stressed by disease, they draw in enzymes to generate minute quantities of hydrogen sulphide. This keeps the mitochondria ticking over and allows cells to live. If this doesn’t happen, the cells die.”
Before it can be tested on humans, researchers have to run disease models to see how effective AP39 is.
Early results show that it can help up to 80 per cent more mitochondria survive highly destructive conditions such as cardiovascular disease.
Dr Mark Wood, a fellow researcher, added: “Although hydrogen sulphide is 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.”
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/science/a ... 144597.ece