Toxicological Sciences, Vol 52, 72-86, Copyright © 1999 by Society of Toxicology
GM Williams, CL Williams and JH Weisburger
Diet can play a major role in cancer prevention. The international
differences in cancer incidence are largely accounted for by lifestyle
practices that include nutrition, exercise, and alcohol and tobacco use.
About 50% of cancer incidence and 35% of cancer mortality in the U.S.,
represented by cancers of the breast, prostate, pancreas, ovary,
endometrium, and colon, are associated with Western dietary habits. Cancer
of the stomach, currently a major disease in the Far East, relates to
distinct, specific nutritional elements such as excessive salt intake. For
these cancers, information is available on possible initiating genotoxic
factors, promoting elements, and prophylactic agents. In general, the
typical diet in the United States contains low levels of the potent
carcinogenic agents, heterocyclic amines, formed during the cooking of
meats. It provides only about half the potent appropriate fiber intake and
is high in calories. About twice as many calories as would be desirable
come from fat, certain kinds of which enhance the development of cancers.
Other foods with functional properties, such as soy products and tea, can
be beneficial. To achieve reduction in risk of certain cancers, diet must
be optimized, primarily to reduce caloric intake and the fat component. The
latter should be 20% or less of total caloric intake and fiber should be
increased to 25- 35 g per day for adults. One approach to achieving these
goals is the Fiber First Diet, a diet designed around adequate fiber intake
from grains, especially cereals, vegetables, legumes, and fruits, which
thereby reduces both calorie and fat intake. Such dietary improvements will
not only reduce cancer and other chronic disease risks, but will contribute
to a healthy life to an advanced age. A corollary benefit is a lower cost
of medical care.
ARTICLES
Diet and cancer prevention: the fiber first diet
Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla 10595, USA. williamsgm@pol.net
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  S. Agarwal and A. V. Rao Tomato lycopene and its role in human health and chronic diseases Can. Med. Assoc. J., September 1, 2000; 163(6): 739 - 744. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|