CHEESE may work as a natural cancer fighter, the latest research has revealed.
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The University of Michigan researchers looked at the effect of nisin on cancerous tumours, skin infections, respiratory system and abdomen and oral health.
After nine weeks of treatment they discovered tumours had shrunk considerably and the nisin had killed 70 to 80 per cent of cancer cells. Plus, tumours were a similar size to the three week stage.
The team also found the food preservative fought antibiotic resistant MRSA bacteria.
Nisin acts by binding to bacteria and getting to work before bacteria is able to change in to an antibiotic resistant superbug.
It also kills biofilms - colonies of bacteria that group together to block antibiotics.
In particular, highly purified nisin ZP nearly doubled its effectiveness.
The researchers are excited about this discovery
While this is clearly promising, the results are small and in mice only so it's too early to say if nisin will act the same way in humans.
Dr. Yvonne Kapila, a professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry said: ”To date, nobody had found bacteria from humans or living animals that is resistant to nisin.
"The application of nisin has advanced beyond its role as a food biopreservative.
"Current findings and other published data support nisin's potential use to treat antibiotic resistant infections, periodontal disease and cancer."
