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Dietary Carcinogens that Increase the Risk of Cancer |
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by:Alex Fir |
One way our diet may increase the risk of
cancer is by dietary carcinogens. There are four groups of carcinogens:
• Naturally present carcinogens
• Carcinogens forming during food preparation
• Preservatives and coloring agents added to food
• Some substances are changed in to carcinogens in the body
Naturally present carcinogens:
An example of this is 'Aflatoxin', a mycotoxin produced by fungi.
Grains and nuts can be contaminated by fungus, which then produce
chemicals called aflatoxins. They are known to cause liver cancer in
Africa and the Far East, especially in people who are carriers of
hepatitis antigens.
Carcinogens forming during food preparation:
Polycyclic hydrocarbons, such as benzopyrenes, are formed during
barbecuing meat on an open fire (e.g. preparing jerked chicken). These
polycyclic hydrocarbons are also one of the main constituents in
cigarette smoke that cause lung cancer.
The traditionally high intake of fried and broiled food, such as meats,
can increase the risk of breast, distal colon, prostate and pancreas
cancers. Several studies showed that populations that eat fried or
broiled meats have a relative risk greater than 2 (deviation from
median) for colon and breast cancer.
More than 20 such chemicals have been identified. They are present in
fairly small amounts, but their action is promoted, an effect
associated with n-6 polyunsaturated oils such as corn or safflower oil
at 30-40% of energy in animal and human studies. A lower fat intake,
15-22% of energy, dramatically decreases those effects.
Preservatives and coloring agents added to food: (Need some more tests
to establish this relationship).
Food colorings are added to increase the appeal of the food but not all
are good for us. An example is "butter yellow". Artificial sweeteners
(like saccharine & cyclamates) and preservatives which produce
nitrosamines are known to cause bladder and stomach cancers
respectively.
Some substances are converted in to carcinogens:
Nitrosamines are formed from sodium nitrite. Sodium nitrite is present
in drinking water and vegetables.
About the author:
Cancer is one of the main causes of death among humans. Visit "Cancer
Information", FREE web site for those who want to learn how to deal
with this vicious disease.
http://www.cancer-data.com
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