Cancer & Nutrition or lack of

The connection between diet and cancer has been known for years. In his book The Cancer Recovery Eating Plan Dr. Daniel Nixon discusses this connection. It is known the countries where the population consumes diets high in fat and calories and low fiber have a higher incidence of certain cancers. In fact certain studies have linked higher fat intake to higher risks of breast and prostate cancer. It is also known that Asiatic populations have lower incidences of the same cancers.

There is some accumulation of concern that Xeno-estrogens may also be contributing to this problem. Xeno-estrogens are homogenate hydrocarbon compounds (compounds containing fluoride and chloride residues) which are by products of plastic production and waste run off from pesticides. These xeno-estrogens can stimulate breast and prostate cancer growth. It is further known that whole soy products may have a protective effect against certain malignancies by virtue of the fact that they contain phytoestrogens. These are plant based estrogen-like materials that block the estrogen receptors on breast and prostate tissue and therefore interfere with their harmful effects of xeno-estrogens. There plant based estrogens have no harmful effects themselves. In fact if one looks at Asiatic populations consuming whole soy there is a very low incidence of breast or prostate cancer.

Consumption of diets high in fat are definitely associated with a higher risk of cancer and particularly breast and prostate. Although the exact mechanism for this is not known several possibilities do exist. It is known that animal fat does store the xeno-estrogens discussed above and consuming large amount would expose one to increased levels of these material Fat provides a lot of energy for cells to divide and if malignancies were formed for other reasons (mutations, pollution etc.) this easily available energy could support their growth.