Diet And Cancer

Diet And Cancer

Write a short note on diet and cancer.
Answer:

The human diet is a highly complex and variable mixture of naturally occurring synthetic chemicals. Naturally occurring chemicals consists of macronutrients, i.e. fat, carbohydrates, and protein; micronutrients, i.e. vitamins and trace metals; non-nutrient constituents.

Several carcinogens and anticarcinogens have been identified in the human diet.

Diet and cancer

Dietary Carcinogens

These are classified into four categories viz:

l. Naturally present carcinogens: Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring dietary carcinogen. This is a mycotoxin produced by fungus Aspergillus favus, it is implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Aflatoxicosis disease is caused by the intake of grains and nuts which are contaminated by the fungus.

2. Carcinogens forming during food preparation: Various burnt or barbecued foods consist of a group of carcinogenic substances known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are produced if food is overheated. High intake of fried and broiled foods such as meats can increase the risk of breast, colon, prostate, and pancreatic cancers.

3. Preservatives and coloring agents added to food: Artificial sweeteners (like saccharine and cyclamates) are known to cause bladder cancer. Cured, pickled or salty foods contain nitrates which have been implicated in gastric cancer.

4. Substances that are converted into carcinogens in the body: Sodium nitrite which may be present in drinking water and vegetables gets converted to nitrosamine, which is a carcinogen.

Foods that cause cancer

Cancer-Preventing Diets

• Fruits and vegetables in the diet lower the risk of cancer.
• Retinoic acid promotes differ

Anti-cancer foods

• entiation of mucous-secreting epithelial cells so a diet having β-carotene and retinoic acid can reverse metaplastic and precancerous lesions of the respiratory tract.
• High fiber content with low animal fat in the diet prevents colonic carcinoma
• Folic acid, selenium, β-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E prevent free radical damage to cells and their DNA in this way it prevents cancer initiation. Vitamin A enhances immunity and may control free radical production by modulating inflammatory reactions.