Diet and Cancer

The link between diet and cancer is not new!Low-protein diets inhibit the initiation of cancer and
Much of our risk for cancer is due to dietarydramatically block cancer growth.
factors, and the link between diet and cancer isAccording to research cited in The China Study,
not new. In January of 1892, Scientific Americanthe largest exploration ever done on diet and
printed the observation that 'cancer is mostlifestyle, low-protein diets inhibited the initiation of
frequent among those branches of the humancancer and dramatically blocked cancer growth.
race where carnivorous habits prevail.' NumerousThe cancer-producing effects of a highly
research studies have since shown that cancer iscarcinogenic chemical were rendered insignificant
much more common in populations consumingby a low-protein diet. In fact, dietary protein
diets rich in fatty foods, particularly meat, andproved to be so powerful in its effect that "we
much less common in countries with diets rich incould turn on and turn off cancer growth simply
grains, vegetables and fruits. One reason is thatby changing the level consumed." But not all
foods affect the action of hormones in the body.proteins had this effect. Casein, which makes up
They also affect the strength of the immune87% of cow's milk protein, promoted all stages of
system. While fruits and vegetables contain athe cancer process. Plant proteins did not
variety of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants andpromote cancer, even at high levels of intake.
phytochemicals that protect the body, researchSources: Healthy Eating for Life, Food Choices for
shows that, by contrast, animal products containCancer Prevention and Survival, Physicians
potentially carcinogenic compounds that mayCommittee for Responsible Medicine, 2004; and
contribute to increased cancer risk.The China Study by T.