Posted on 02/01/2006 8:45:27 PM PST by NormsRevenge
LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists said on Tuesday they may have found a reason why eating too much red meat increases the risk of colorectal cancer.
By studying cells from volunteers eating different diets, they discovered that red meat raises levels of compounds in the large bowel, which can alter DNA and increase the likelihood of cancer.
"It is the first definite link between red meat and the very first stage in cancer," said Professor Sheila Bingham, of the Medical Research Council Dunn Nutrition Unit in Cambridge, England.
In earlier research, Bingham and her team showed there was a strong correlation between eating red and processed meat and the risk of colon cancer.
The chance of developing colorectal cancer was a third higher in people who regularly ate more than two portions of red or processed meat a day compared to someone who ate less than one portion a week.
In their latest study, published in the journal Cancer Research, the scientists studied cells from the lining of the colon from people who consumed red meat, vegetarian, high red meat or high fibre diets for 15 days.
"We looked at whether eating red meat alters the DNA of these cells," Bingham told Reuters.
They found that red meat consumption was linked to increased levels of substances called N-nitrosocompounds, which are formed in the large bowel. The compounds may stick to DNA, making it more likely to undergo mutations that increase the odds of cancer.
The DNA damage may be repaired naturally in the body, and fibre in the diet may help the process. But if it isn't, cancer can develop, Bingham said.
The scientists said the findings could help to develop a screening test for very early changes related to the disease.
Colorectal is one of the most common cancers in developed countries. More than 940,000 cases are diagnosed each year and about 492,000 people die from the illness, according to the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) in Lyon, France.
A diet rich in fat, animal protein and refined carbohydrates and lack of exercise are risk factors for the illness. Most cases are in people over 60 years old and about 5 percent of them are inherited.
Health experts estimate that about 70 percent of colorectal cancers could be prevented by changes in diet and nutrition. Diarrhoea, constipation and rectal bleeding can be symptoms.
Have a salad with that steak and you'll be OK:
http://carcin.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/2/387
Steak Salads? Their pretty good actually..
Now I'm not sure of cause vs effect, but he was always pale, anemic looking and unhealthy. I, however, a picture of carnal dining, remain overweight but healthy.
Vegans and vegetarians are not the same. Vegans don't eat milk or any dairy products. It's a dangerous diet. A vegetarian with dairy products is a very healthy way to live as long as it's not a junk food diet.
"If I can't get venison, I'm happy with chicken breast and tuna"
yes, and ground turkey is good too.
I once heard it explained......
Cows have grinding teeth, they are herbivores,
Dogs have tearing teeth, they are carnivores,
Humans have both types of teeth, they are omnivores.
I guess we were designed to eat all sorts of stuff in moderation.
There is also some scripture (not PC) that makes note of this. The bottom line is eat a balanced diet, and exercise. Radical concept. Jack LaLane could be an example of this. To eat meat sparingly, and drink milk; is NOT vegetarian.
There is just no telling where we have things in common.. ;0)
Make sure and get your flavonoids,, I use to pass on some veggies and salads as a kid, as I grew older I came to appreciate and eat them more.
Thanks for the link, interesting article.
I almost always char my meat on the bbq,, so I guess I'm doing OK carcinogenically, so far. whew!
My grandmother had an incredible garden that provided fresh vegetables, fruits, and salads. She ate meat but I don't recall her over-indulging. Nevertheless she got colon cancer.
Some folks may be more genetically disposed than others is my suspicion. When you get into DNA and how it could be dietetically affected, you never know who may be more likely prone to disease.
In other news, leading health experts say that human beings should live like hampsters. With fresh air, fresh water, hiegenic woodchips, bland (but nourishing) food, and excellent excercise facilities, humans are expected to live, on average, two and a half minutes longer.
Acting on this advice, John Kerry and Ted Kennedy have sponsored a bill in the Senate to begin enacting the Hampster Habitation Program to test the results of the health experts studies.
/sarcasm [as if you didn't know].
I don't know of anyone else in my family who has had the big C. (Knock on wood.)
I caught that, too. No where do they attribute this to fresh red meat, but only in combination with processed meat.
ain't that the truth!
Isn't this a very flawed/misleading study??!! Aren't N-nitrosocompounds due to nitrites or nitrates in the meat and not the meat itself?
You nailed it.
Interesting note. I recently read that Ben Franklin tried the vegan diet (or a diet quite similar) for awhile but had a hard time mainting.
I used to be the picture of health too - even adopted a diet similar to yours. Then about 10 years ago (44 now) my doctor recommended a colonoscopy. I wasn't really surprised but after researching it I did not like the idea of the re-exam (and possible/probable re-scope) every 5 years. Just didn't sound like a 'tried and true' remedy.
What I'm geting at is chiropractic care fixed those problems and a whole lot more potential problems. I was convinced after one adjustment and a review of my spinal x-rays. If anyone doubts chiropractic care (probably b/c their doctor or some other 'expert' called them quacks) then just review AMA vs Welk.
I think society is too easily swayed on 'modern medicine' vs chiropractic the same way people viewed MSM vs the internet. One is much more effective at getting to the truth of the matter...
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