Every morning I would wake up to the singing of birds in my neighbourhood. There is nothing as refreshing as when you are listening to the happy chirping, trilling and tweeting of our feathered friends in the early hours of morning when a new day dawns. The birds sure know what it means when they greet each new day with a song!
However,the thought of lying snug in bed and enjoying this luxury may soon be a thing of the past if the following news report is anything to go by. Seems like the onslaught of global warming is now affecting lowland birds which are taking flight and migrating to higher grounds. If this should happen in the near future, highland bird populations will then be displaced by the migration.
The change in climatic patterns due to global warming and the rampant deforestation for development are causing birds to lose their natural habitat and nesting grounds.
Read about this phenomena here (SUNDAY STAR July 12th, 2009)
BIRDS FLY HIGHER WITH SHRINKING FOREST, WARMER CLIMATE
KUALA LUMPUR: More lowland birds are flying off to live in the highlands and this is an indicator of deforestation and climate change.
Naturalist consultant on birds, wildlife and bio-diversity Mike Chong said birds such as magpie robins (burung murai) and spotted doves that normally lived in lowlands and valleys were seen in Cameron Highlands recently.
“Such birds have been spotted in the mountains such as Genting Highlands and Fraser’s Hill and this shows a change in climate pattern and a disturbance in the environment,” he said during the Zoo Negara Birdathon 2009 here Sunday.
Chong said temperatures in mountain forests also increased due to global warming, and caused lowland birds to adapt easily to their new habitat.
This is coupled with the shrinking amount of forests in the lowlands which have been cleared for development. Because of that, the birds lose their habitat and fly off to the highlands,” he said.
He explained that the lowland birds would then compete with highland bird species if they shared the same food source, habitat and nesting habits.
“The highland birds may be displaced as a result of the migration and in the next 10 to 20 years, this may pose as a threat to them,” Chong said.
He added that the diversity of bird species in a forest indicated its health and there were generally still a lot of birds in Malaysia.
“There are about 674 bird species in the country. I hope more studies will be conducted on the migration of the lowland birds so that we can properly gauge the effects of the climate changes today,” he said.
Zoo Negara director Dr Mohamad Ngah said birds lose their food source when trees were cut.
“We cannot totally stop development from taking place but as scientists, we can monitor the situation and try to reproduce endangered species to ensure they do not become extinct,” he said, adding that there were close to 100 bird species observed in the zoo.
During the event, Dr Mohamad flagged off the 60 participants of the Birdathon that was aimed at instilling public awareness on birds as part of environment indicators.
Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/7/12/nation/20090712160721&sec=nation
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
NON-DAIRY CREAMERS contain milk derivative
Hi there,
If you are a vegan and is abstaining from all milk products, please take carfeful note that NON-DAIRY CREAMERS do contain milk derivative:
January 1, 2003 -- Vegparadise News Bureau
Non-dairy Creamers Are Not
What They're Quacked Up To Be
If it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it's not a duck because the duck experts say it isn't a duck. If a powder is derived from milk and altered considerably, the manufacturers are able to call it non-dairy because they have persuaded a government agency that it is non-dairy.
Savvy consumers reading the label on this product would quickly realize that many non-dairy creamers are not non-dairy because the labels clearly indicate the product contains sodium caseinate (a milk derivative).
Dairy scientists and the Food and Drug Administration agree that these are non-dairy creamers because the caseinate has been so altered it can no longer be considered dairy. According to the information on the Coffee-mate website, "When sodium caseinate is processed, it is so materially altered that both dairy scientists and government regulators no longer regard it as a true dairy substance. This is why sodium caseinate can be an ingredient in non-dairy products according to FDA's regulation 21 CFR101.4 (d). Sodium caseinate also is not a source of lactose."
Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 101 deals with food labeling. Section 101.4 presents the rules for designation of ingredients in foods. Section 101.4 (d) reads as follows:
When foods characterized on the label as "nondairy" contain a caseinate ingredient, the caseinate ingredient shall be followed by a parenthetical statement identifying its source. For example, if the manufacturer uses the term "nondairy" on a creamer that contains sodium caseinate, it shall include a parenthetical term such as "a milk derivative" after the listing of sodium caseinate in the ingredient list.
Weighing in on the issue is the Union of Orthodox rabbis who certify kosher products. To satisfy this group Nestle Carnation has modified the label on the packaging. On the website, the company states, "NESTLE CARNATION COFFEE-MATE products are non-dairy and are Kosher according to the Orthodox Union (as indicated by the 'O.U.' symbol). As a courtesy we place a "D" next to the Kosher symbol, 'O.U.', to alert those who adhere to strict religious practices. COFFEE-MATE contains an ingredient called sodium caseinate which is a milk derivative, but is classified as a non-dairy product."
NESTLE CARNATION COFFEE-MATE was the first non-dairy powdered creamer making its debut in 1961. In 1989 the company launched its Liquid Non-Dairy Creamer. Nestle, the world's largest food company has been harshly criticized in recent years for its aggressive marketing techniques for its baby formula in third world countries. Their efforts have encouraged women in those countries to abandon nursing and use Nestle formula instead.
Sharing shelf space with Coffee-mate in the coffee section and in the refrigerated case are two other major brands: Borden Cremora from Eagle Family Foods and International Delight from Morningstar, a division of Suiza Foods Company. Suiza is part of Dean Foods, a huge dairy conglomerate. Morningstar is not to be confused with Morningstar Farms, a division of Kellogg's that produces vegetarian foods.
The principal ingredients in all of these nondairy creamers are sugars and vegetable oils. The three brands contain partially hydrogenated oils loaded with trans fats. The Coffee-mate label indicates the oil could be any of the following: coconut, palm kernel, soybean, cottonseed, or safflower. The sugars are a combination of corn syrup, maltodextrin, and sugar.
All three brands contain sodium caseinate. The sodium caseinate's purpose is to provide a hint of dairy flavor as well as to create a thickening and whitening for a creamy look and feel. Sodium caseinate is obtained from fresh and pasteurized skim milk by acid coagulation of the casein, neutralization with sodium hydroxide, and drying in a spray dryer.
Common among the nondairy creamers is dipotassium phosphate (a powder used to moderate coffee acidity), mono and diglycerides (to prevent oil separation), and natural and artificial flavors and colors.
Those seeking a vegan non-dairy creamer that is "truly" without milk derivatives could find two soy-based brands on the shelves of health food stores or large supermarkets with health food sections.
Westsoy Crème de la Soy is made from organic soybeans, filtered water, brown rice syrup, organic expeller pressed soybean oil, natural flavors, dipotassium phosphate, and carrageenan (a thickener derived from a red seaweed commonly called Irish Moss). Westsoy is a division of Hain Food Group, a natural food conglomerate.
Another vegan creamer is Silk Original Creamer produced by White Wave. This product contains filtered water, whole organic soybeans, expeller pressed organic canola oil, naturally milled organic evaporated cane juice, maltodextrin (from corn), soy lecithin, potassium phosphate, sodium citrate, carageenan, tapioca starch, and natural flavors. White Wave is now a division of dairy conglomerate Dean Foods that also produces International Delight creamers.
In our opinion most non-dairy creamers flunk the test. The first and only question on the test asks whether the creamer is non-dairy. Those that contain sodium caseinate are not what they're quacked up to be!
If you are a vegan and is abstaining from all milk products, please take carfeful note that NON-DAIRY CREAMERS do contain milk derivative:
January 1, 2003 -- Vegparadise News Bureau
Non-dairy Creamers Are Not
What They're Quacked Up To Be
If it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it's not a duck because the duck experts say it isn't a duck. If a powder is derived from milk and altered considerably, the manufacturers are able to call it non-dairy because they have persuaded a government agency that it is non-dairy.
Savvy consumers reading the label on this product would quickly realize that many non-dairy creamers are not non-dairy because the labels clearly indicate the product contains sodium caseinate (a milk derivative).
Dairy scientists and the Food and Drug Administration agree that these are non-dairy creamers because the caseinate has been so altered it can no longer be considered dairy. According to the information on the Coffee-mate website, "When sodium caseinate is processed, it is so materially altered that both dairy scientists and government regulators no longer regard it as a true dairy substance. This is why sodium caseinate can be an ingredient in non-dairy products according to FDA's regulation 21 CFR101.4 (d). Sodium caseinate also is not a source of lactose."
Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 101 deals with food labeling. Section 101.4 presents the rules for designation of ingredients in foods. Section 101.4 (d) reads as follows:
When foods characterized on the label as "nondairy" contain a caseinate ingredient, the caseinate ingredient shall be followed by a parenthetical statement identifying its source. For example, if the manufacturer uses the term "nondairy" on a creamer that contains sodium caseinate, it shall include a parenthetical term such as "a milk derivative" after the listing of sodium caseinate in the ingredient list.
Weighing in on the issue is the Union of Orthodox rabbis who certify kosher products. To satisfy this group Nestle Carnation has modified the label on the packaging. On the website, the company states, "NESTLE CARNATION COFFEE-MATE products are non-dairy and are Kosher according to the Orthodox Union (as indicated by the 'O.U.' symbol). As a courtesy we place a "D" next to the Kosher symbol, 'O.U.', to alert those who adhere to strict religious practices. COFFEE-MATE contains an ingredient called sodium caseinate which is a milk derivative, but is classified as a non-dairy product."
NESTLE CARNATION COFFEE-MATE was the first non-dairy powdered creamer making its debut in 1961. In 1989 the company launched its Liquid Non-Dairy Creamer. Nestle, the world's largest food company has been harshly criticized in recent years for its aggressive marketing techniques for its baby formula in third world countries. Their efforts have encouraged women in those countries to abandon nursing and use Nestle formula instead.
Sharing shelf space with Coffee-mate in the coffee section and in the refrigerated case are two other major brands: Borden Cremora from Eagle Family Foods and International Delight from Morningstar, a division of Suiza Foods Company. Suiza is part of Dean Foods, a huge dairy conglomerate. Morningstar is not to be confused with Morningstar Farms, a division of Kellogg's that produces vegetarian foods.
The principal ingredients in all of these nondairy creamers are sugars and vegetable oils. The three brands contain partially hydrogenated oils loaded with trans fats. The Coffee-mate label indicates the oil could be any of the following: coconut, palm kernel, soybean, cottonseed, or safflower. The sugars are a combination of corn syrup, maltodextrin, and sugar.
All three brands contain sodium caseinate. The sodium caseinate's purpose is to provide a hint of dairy flavor as well as to create a thickening and whitening for a creamy look and feel. Sodium caseinate is obtained from fresh and pasteurized skim milk by acid coagulation of the casein, neutralization with sodium hydroxide, and drying in a spray dryer.
Common among the nondairy creamers is dipotassium phosphate (a powder used to moderate coffee acidity), mono and diglycerides (to prevent oil separation), and natural and artificial flavors and colors.
Those seeking a vegan non-dairy creamer that is "truly" without milk derivatives could find two soy-based brands on the shelves of health food stores or large supermarkets with health food sections.
Westsoy Crème de la Soy is made from organic soybeans, filtered water, brown rice syrup, organic expeller pressed soybean oil, natural flavors, dipotassium phosphate, and carrageenan (a thickener derived from a red seaweed commonly called Irish Moss). Westsoy is a division of Hain Food Group, a natural food conglomerate.
Another vegan creamer is Silk Original Creamer produced by White Wave. This product contains filtered water, whole organic soybeans, expeller pressed organic canola oil, naturally milled organic evaporated cane juice, maltodextrin (from corn), soy lecithin, potassium phosphate, sodium citrate, carageenan, tapioca starch, and natural flavors. White Wave is now a division of dairy conglomerate Dean Foods that also produces International Delight creamers.
In our opinion most non-dairy creamers flunk the test. The first and only question on the test asks whether the creamer is non-dairy. Those that contain sodium caseinate are not what they're quacked up to be!
JOHN HOPKINS' ADVICE ON CANCER PREVENTION
Special thanks to Jenna for this update from John Hopkins' alternative way to prevent and fight cancer :
AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ('TRY',BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY .
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
3 When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and
prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutitional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors..
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including
supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys
rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune
system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.
CANCER CELLS FEEDS ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better
alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water.. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines becomes putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
1. No plastic containers in micro.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave.
Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.. Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Cast le Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead,
he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.
Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead. (End of article)
Blogger's Note :
Prevention is certainly better and cheaper than a cure. Anyway, what have we to lose if we heed his advice?
AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ('TRY',BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY .
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
3 When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and
prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutitional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors..
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including
supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys
rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune
system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.
CANCER CELLS FEEDS ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better
alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water.. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines becomes putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
1. No plastic containers in micro.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave.
Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.. Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Cast le Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead,
he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.
Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead. (End of article)
Blogger's Note :
Prevention is certainly better and cheaper than a cure. Anyway, what have we to lose if we heed his advice?
Friday, July 3, 2009
STAY HEALTHY ON A PLANT-BASED DIET
Halo there... glad to be back after more than a week away from my desk. Had been catching up on my mail... Santa Claus had been busy while I was away...
Here's something important to share with you guys, courtesy from Jenna who is always updating me with what's new. This report confirms that a plant-based diet is the way to go if we want to stay healthy and free from meat derived diseases.
VEGETARIANS LESS LIKELY TO DEVELOP CANCER, SAYS RESEARCHERS
By Shane Starling, 02-Jul-2009
Vegetarians will develop less blood, bladder and stomach cancer than meat eaters, according to new research published in the British Journal of Cancer.
The grouping of two studies featured more than 61,000 vegetarians over a timespan of 12 years and found they contracted less cancer, independent of factors such as smoking, alcohol use and obesity than those who consumed meat or fish or both.
Differences in stomach and bowel cancer rates were not as pronounced as may have been expected given previous research and indeed, vegetarians had slightly higher, but not significantly so, rates of colon and rectum cancer.
Cervical cancer rates were twice that of meat-eaters among vegetarians. Breast and prostate cancer rates were similar, although there was less risk for prostate cancer among fish eaters than meat eaters.
For some cancers such as multiple myeloma, which strikes bone marrow, vegetarians were 75 per cent less likely develop the condition.
Cancers of the blood and lymph such as leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma were 50 per cent less likely in vegetarians than carnivores
More study required
"More research is needed to substantiate these results and to look for reasons for the differences," said lead researcher, Tim Key, from the Cancer Research UK epidemiology unit at Oxford University.
"At the moment these findings are not strong enough to ask for particularly large changes in the diets of people following an average balanced diet."
The researchers said the reasons for lower cancer rates among vegetarians were not clear but suggested it could be down to viruses and mutation-causing compounds found in meat such as N-nitroso which are thought to damage DNA.
The temperatures at which meats are cooked could also produce damaging carcinogens.
Study detail
The study population contained 15 571 men and 45 995 women, one third of whom were vegetarian.
Levels of physical activity were higher in vegetarians and fish-only eaters than in meat eaters, who also had higher body mass indexes (BMIs).
But the researchers said none of the findings were conclusive despite some evidence linking, for instance, high intake of fruit and vegetables and onset rates of some cancers.
“There is also some evidence that a high intake of fruit and vegetables might reduce the risk for stomach cancer, but the data are not consistent and, although on average vegetarians eat more fruit and vegetables than meat eaters, the difference in intake is modest,” they wrote.
Source:
British Journal of Cancer
(2009) 101, 192–197. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6605098
‘Cancer incidence in British vegetarians’
Authors: TJ Key, PN Appleby, EA Spencer, RC Travis, NE Allen, M Thorogood and JI Mann
Here's something important to share with you guys, courtesy from Jenna who is always updating me with what's new. This report confirms that a plant-based diet is the way to go if we want to stay healthy and free from meat derived diseases.
VEGETARIANS LESS LIKELY TO DEVELOP CANCER, SAYS RESEARCHERS
By Shane Starling, 02-Jul-2009
Vegetarians will develop less blood, bladder and stomach cancer than meat eaters, according to new research published in the British Journal of Cancer.
The grouping of two studies featured more than 61,000 vegetarians over a timespan of 12 years and found they contracted less cancer, independent of factors such as smoking, alcohol use and obesity than those who consumed meat or fish or both.
Differences in stomach and bowel cancer rates were not as pronounced as may have been expected given previous research and indeed, vegetarians had slightly higher, but not significantly so, rates of colon and rectum cancer.
Cervical cancer rates were twice that of meat-eaters among vegetarians. Breast and prostate cancer rates were similar, although there was less risk for prostate cancer among fish eaters than meat eaters.
For some cancers such as multiple myeloma, which strikes bone marrow, vegetarians were 75 per cent less likely develop the condition.
Cancers of the blood and lymph such as leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma were 50 per cent less likely in vegetarians than carnivores
More study required
"More research is needed to substantiate these results and to look for reasons for the differences," said lead researcher, Tim Key, from the Cancer Research UK epidemiology unit at Oxford University.
"At the moment these findings are not strong enough to ask for particularly large changes in the diets of people following an average balanced diet."
The researchers said the reasons for lower cancer rates among vegetarians were not clear but suggested it could be down to viruses and mutation-causing compounds found in meat such as N-nitroso which are thought to damage DNA.
The temperatures at which meats are cooked could also produce damaging carcinogens.
Study detail
The study population contained 15 571 men and 45 995 women, one third of whom were vegetarian.
Levels of physical activity were higher in vegetarians and fish-only eaters than in meat eaters, who also had higher body mass indexes (BMIs).
But the researchers said none of the findings were conclusive despite some evidence linking, for instance, high intake of fruit and vegetables and onset rates of some cancers.
“There is also some evidence that a high intake of fruit and vegetables might reduce the risk for stomach cancer, but the data are not consistent and, although on average vegetarians eat more fruit and vegetables than meat eaters, the difference in intake is modest,” they wrote.
Source:
British Journal of Cancer
(2009) 101, 192–197. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6605098
‘Cancer incidence in British vegetarians’
Authors: TJ Key, PN Appleby, EA Spencer, RC Travis, NE Allen, M Thorogood and JI Mann
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