By Greg Lawson -
[email protected]
A few days ago there was an article in the El Paso Times
with the headline "Broccoli May Help Fight Prostate Cancer." It reported
that researchers at the University of California at Berkley think that a
chemical in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables may be used in the
future to help treat the disease. The article went on to say it may be
years though, before scientists can turn it into a usable drug.
I had just finished a bowl of cream of broccoli soup,
made with soymilk of course, and so I was intrigued by this article. Dr.
Durado Brooks, director of prostate and colorectal cancers for the
American Cancer Society was quoted as saying "Prostate cancer rates are
lower in countries where people eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, but
the exact link between diet and the disease isn't clear."
Isn't clear? Isn't clear?
Three years ago the Journal of the National Cancer
Institute reported a 41% reduction in risk of prostate cancer for men
whose intake of cruciferous vegetables is high and a 70 percent increase
in risk of prostate cancer for men who consume high amounts of dairy
products.
Five years ago in 1997, the World Cancer Research Fund
analyzed more than 4500 cancer research studies. In their report, they
concluded, "Vegetarian diets decrease the risk of cancer." The number
one dietary recommendation, "Choose predominantly plant-based diets rich
in a variety of vegetables, fruits and legumes."
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than
180,000 men will develop prostate cancer this year and more than 30,000
will die from it. It is estimated that half of all men over 50 and
virtually all men over 90 have prostate cancer.
For years, medical studies have noted lower prostate
cancer rates in countries with low per-capita consumption of meat and
dairy products. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, daily meat
consumption triples the risk of prostate disease, regular consumption of
cow's milk doubles it, and failure to regularly consume vegetables
almost quadruples it.
The link between diet and cancer seems pretty clear to
me.
So, do you want to wait a few years until scientists develop a broccoli
pill, or do you want to join me for lunch?
Go on to For Angel
by [email protected]
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