Carcinogens

Vitamins A, E and C play, say, an important role in preventing cancers in general and many experts recommend taking a daily low vitamin C as an orange or a tablet of multivitamins.

 

Be aware, however, that apart from the fight against the formation of nitrosamines function of vitamins in cancer prevention has not yet been scientifically demonstrated.

Predisposing factors

The decrease of the bolus by reduction of plant fiber in the diet, promotes digestive cancers.Prevention of cancers of the intestine and colon therefore requires a diet rich in vegetables and fruits.

Obesity and, in general, overeating, foster the development of cancer.

Carcinogens

Some of them are now well documented. Among the best known are:

- strong alcohols , particularly alcohols apple (calvados) are a common origin of cancers of the mouth and esophagus, as evidenced by the development of this disease in regions producing these alcohols;

- colors : all colors are not carcinogenic, but it is better not to consume, the more dangerous, now banned, are Sudan red, Sudan brown, the chryso dine, and amaranth, this dye red has been banned in the food industry in 1978;

- artificial sweeteners : these are now conventional sweeteners, including commodities were saccharin, cyclamate and aspartame for some time and the first two were accused of having a carcinogenic role, especially during experiments on animals, but the usual doses, they pose no danger, but cyclamate was banned because of the risk of fetal malformations, a threat occurred during the animal experiments, aspartame, more and more used in soft drinks and pastries, not the moment seems to be safe;

- the product smoked : smoked products, especially meat and smoked fish at home, are highly carcinogenic due to the presence of harmful substances, benzopyrenes on the surface or skin products. Oils and fats overheated produce the same harmful substances. It is therefore advisable not to use back the same frying oil. For the same reason it is not advisable to use a barbecue horizontal, since the fall of animal fat in the fire, due to poor combustion, is responsible for the production of benzopyrenes who, with smoke settles on the meat. The use of a vertical grill has a lot less risk.

- nitrosamines : These are substances that are formed from nitrates, which have a known role in the genesis of certain cancers, especially those of the stomach. Nitrates are used in the form of nitrite in the food industry as preservatives. They are used, for example in the manufacture of ham (they are the ones that give the ham its famous pink), sausage and some cheeses. The nitrates are also abundant in plant products, particularly since the intensive use of fertilizers containing nitrates. For the same reasons they are becoming more prevalent in drinking water, which raises critical issues in some agricultural areas because of pollution of groundwater.