Other Nutrients

Spontaneous cancers, mostly of the thyroid, have developed in hamsters kept on an iodine-deficient diet, whereas animals receiving adequate iodine remained cancer-free. When rats have been given thyroid or radioactive iodine, the number of spontaneous cancers markedly increased. Cancer of the thyroid is unusually high in countries where the iodine intake is low. In America it decreased after the introduction of iodized salt.

Although over a billion dollars has now been spent on cancer research, the effect of various mineral deficiencies on cancer susceptibility appears to have been studied little. Increasing the copper intake "significantly retarded development" of cancers in animals, and decreased the liver damage and cirrhosis caused by cancer-inducing materials.

In experimental cancers, animals have eventually lacked the ability to form antibodies, and infections rather than the malignancy appear to have been the actual cause of death. The bacteria involved were not "outside invaders," but common putrefactive organisms of the intestinal tract. That emphasis must be placed on maintaining intestinal health by the generous use of yogurt or acidophilus milk or culture to supply valuable bacteria and by avoiding refined foods which inhibit the growth of these valuable bacteria; and on making every effort to build resistance to infections.

Interferon, a substance that has been isolated from normal cells, appears to give protection from cancer-producing viruses and the nucleic acid made by such viruses. Although little is yet known about interferon, adequate nutrition possibly increases its presence in the cells.

Effect Of Overheated Fat

Overheated fats and especially burned fats induce cancers in animals so readily that many investigators believe broiled and barbecued meats may be dangerous. Repeated heating appears to be particularly harmful. When a cancer-producing substance was fed or painted on the skin of rats given fresh, unheated corn oil or corn oil that had been used commercially for frying potato chips, 50 per cent of the animals receiving used fat developed cancer; the rats on fresh oil remained cancer free.

Liver Damage

Any form of liver damage causes increased susceptibility to experimental cancers. Malignancies associated with such injury have been produced in animals on diets inadequate in vitamins Bl, B2, E, cholin. protein, or the amino acid methionine; and by a wide variety of drugs, chemicals, and insecticides. Generous amounts of methionine have "completely prevented" experimentally induced cancers and the accompanying liver damage, whereas small amounts of methionine or cholin were less effective. Cancers have been produced in animals merely by injuring the liver. In fact, it is largely by damaging the liver that azo dyes and many other substances readily induce cancers in animals.

Investigators have pointed out that we are continuously exposed to a large number of substances many of which are known to injure the liver and which, collectively at least. are potentially cancer-producing: smoke, smog, pesticides, chemicals of many varieties, drugs, nitrates, preservatives, , and food additives (dyes, sweeteners, softeners, synthetic flavorings, etc.), and hundreds of others. Almost anyone alone may be innocuous, but accumulatively and in combination they are probably far more deadly than is yet realized. Certain food additives and insecticides are known to be dangerous only when combined with others.

There can be little doubt that the damage done collectively by substances which do not occur naturally in the body, together with our high intake of refined foods, is largely responsible for the rapid increase in the incidence of this appallingly tragic disease. The fact remains, however, that just as all heavy cigarette smokers do not get lung cancer, millions of persons exposed to carcinogens do not develop malignancies. If given the raw materials to work with, the body can detoxify most harmful substances. One scientist puts it this way: "Prevention of liver injury is identical with prevention of the cancer disease."

About The Author
David Crawford is the CEO and owner of a male erection enhancement company known as Male Enhancement Group which is dedicated to researching and comparing male enhancement products in order to determine which male enhancement product is safer and more effective than other products on the market. Copyright 2010 David Crawford of male penile size This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.