Cause carcinogens. Which harms carcinogens on the human body in everyday life. When honey becomes poison

Text: Marina Levicheva

According to WHO, cancer(in particular, cancer of the lung, trachea and bronchi) are fifth in the list of leading causes of death in the world. At the same time, they are much more afraid than coronary heart disease or stroke, which occupy the first two positions. Fear has given rise to panic: Carcinogens are now being looked for - and found - in everything, from cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes to non-stick pans and coffee. We figure out which of them you can really hide from and whether it should be done.

What it is

The name speaks for itself: a carcinogen is a substance or effect that affects the integrity of DNA and promotes carcinogenesis, that is, the formation and reproduction of malignant cells. The fact that there are chemicals with such effects became known about a hundred years ago, and in 1916, Japanese scientists were able to cause cancer in a rabbit for the first time during an experiment: the animal was smeared with coal tar every day. Of course, there was no question of the ethics of research then - but there was a revolution in medicine, because for the first time it was possible to see how a malignant tumor arises in an absolutely healthy individual under the influence of chemicals.

Since the resin was a complex mixture of chemicals, scientists (not only in Japan) went looking for other substances that could cause cancer. Although carcinogens are indeed more common in synthetic substances, studies have shown that plant compounds can also be carcinogenic. However, this does not make either one or the other unconditionally dangerous.

What are carcinogens

Scientists have not fully decided how best to classify the effects that can cause cancer: they are divided either into radioactive (all types of hazardous radiation fall into this group) and non-radioactive, then into genetic and environmental. The latter include lifestyle factors - smoking, alcoholism, unhealthy diet, low level physical activity - and exposure to sunlight or viruses, and work in hazardous industries, and the use of certain drugs such as chemotherapy drugs. By and large, it does not matter how to classify carcinogens - it is important that this can give in practice. Indeed, if it is sometimes impossible to refuse a certain therapy, even one that carries the risk of carcinogenesis, then the impact of other factors can be minimized (for example, by protecting the skin from the sun or giving up smoking).

Carcinogens affect DNA, causing dangerous changes - but the latter do not necessarily lead to the formation of a tumor, they only increase the likelihood that the reproduction of abnormal cells will reach a level that it cannot cope with. A recent study found that two-thirds of the genetic mutations that lead to cancer are errors that occur spontaneously when DNA is copied, and only the remaining third occurs under the influence of carcinogens. environment.

Are they that scary?

The WHO list of carcinogens is constantly updated; for a layman who sees a document for the first time, it can cause horror - it seems that all the products and substances mentioned in it are terribly dangerous. In fact, this is not the case - and all carcinogens in the list are assigned a special code: 1 (carcinogenic to humans), 2a and 2b (potentially carcinogenic to humans, and for "a" the probability is higher than for "b"), 3 (not classified as carcinogenic to humans), 4 (possibly not carcinogenic to humans).

Not many agents fall into the first, most dangerous group - scientists are still not sure about the carcinogenicity of chlorinated water, caffeine even in large quantities, hair dyes, dental materials, sulfites, which are often used in cosmetics, or tea (all these substances are labeled 3), as well as category 2a and 2b red meat, aloe vera leaf extract, or shift work that disrupts circadian rhythms. This is a random selection of familiar foods from the "carcinogenic list", which shows why you should not believe the flashy headlines about "a new study whose results will shock you."

Many substances on the list of carcinogens are not as dangerous as they seem: we are not sufficiently exposed to them or do not consume them in quantities necessary to cause real harm. Trying to eliminate absolutely all carcinogen-like substances from your life can affect your mental health, rewarding you with anxiety or orthorexia. But still, it is worth paying attention to those carcinogens that are recognized as truly dangerous and at the same time can be controlled.

Should I be afraid of fried food?

Research is increasingly hinting that burnt food is something to be wary of. According to scientists, acrylamide is to blame - a compound that is formed during the heat treatment of certain foods, especially those rich in carbohydrates. This substance is also used in the textile, plastic and paper industries, in the synthesis of dyes and for cleaning Wastewater. However, there is still no convincing evidence of its harm to humans, although there is evidence of the ability of acrylamide to interact with DNA and lead to certain mutations - and its place on the list with code 2a is explained by studies in which mice and rats were given doses of tens of thousand times greater than what can be obtained.

In general, carcinogenicity fried potatoes has not been proven in humans. Experts believe that fried carbs really should be reduced because they are full of unnecessary calories - and obesity is one of the main triggers of malignant tumors worldwide.

Will switching to electronic cigarettes save

Of course, smoking is a personal choice for everyone, but you can’t argue with statistics: it is the main cause of lung cancer. It is important to try to protect yourself from passive smoking as well: according to research, components of cigarette smoke such as benzene, polonium-210, benzopyrene and nitrosamines not only provoke DNA damage, but also affect genes that code for the body's ability to protect against cancer by working thus in two directions at once. Once in the blood, chemicals from cigarette smoke are carried throughout the body, which endangers not only the lungs, but also the kidneys, liver, digestive system, bladder, ovaries and other organs.

At the same time, vapes, invented just to reduce the risks associated with smoking (the electronic cigarette in the form that we know it was patented in 2003, and in 2004 was launched on the market by the Chinese Hon Lik, whose father shortly before died of lung cancer), in fact, turn out to be almost worse. Their main problem is lack of knowledge. But even a negligible amount of research compared to cigarettes allows us to say that a cocktail of chemicals contained in smoking liquids gradually causes irreparable harm to the body.

Alcohol is also a carcinogen

Alcohol is considered common cause cancer of the breast, larynx, liver, esophagus, oral cavity, and also a likely cause of pancreatic cancer. When alcohol enters the body, it breaks down first to acetaldehyde and then to acetic acid. Acetaldehyde causes liver cells to renew faster than usual, and this acceleration increases the likelihood of errors in copying genes. It is important that this applies to alcohol in any drink: aged wine, premium vodka or the cheapest beer. Although we regularly learn something new about the benefits

What are carcinogens

Carcinogens are chemicals, physical radiation or oncogenic viruses, the impact of which on the human or animal body increases the likelihood of malignant neoplasms (tumors). In other words, carcinogens cause cancer. Sources of carcinogens can be not only specific chemicals (asbestos, arsenic, nitrates, and others), but also everyday products for people (coffee, sunflower oil, dry fish such as roach, tobacco smoke, ethyl alcohol, solar radiation). In itself, the presence of any carcinogen does not mean the presence of danger, the amount of this carcinogen is important. To assess the danger of chemical elements and their compounds in the environment, the MPC concept is used - Maximum Permissible Concentrations . MPC is understood as such a concentration of chemical elements and compounds, which, under daily influence for a long time on the human body, does not cause pathological changes or diseases in any period of life of the present and subsequent generations. This is an important point in determining the environmental friendliness of the material for humans! Almost all people use ordinary factory-made chipboard furniture, many live with plastic windows, the amount of plastic in our everyday life is unimaginable, there are also quite a few smokers around, and it makes no sense to stutter about alcohol, car exhausts will haunt us even at the edge of the Earth, because without them we won't get there... Carcinogens are everywhere! Even walking deep into the Sahara desert, we will be exposed to the strongest solar radiation, a group 1 carcinogen (proven carcinogenic effect). Buried underground in a Siberian bunker, ground gas radon from the same group 1 will show its carcinogenic effect. However, we are still alive, and not every one of us has cancer.

MPC values are included in GOSTs, sanitary standards and other regulatory documents that are mandatory for execution throughout the state; they are taken into account when designing technological processes, equipment, treatment devices, etc. The sanitary and epidemiological service, in the order of sanitary supervision, systematically monitors compliance with MPC standards in the water of drinking water reservoirs, in the atmospheric air and in the air of industrial premises.

MPC values are set on the basis that there is a certain limit value of the harmful factor, below which staying in a given area (or, for example, using a product) is completely safe. To establish the numerical values of MPC, calculation methods, the results of biological experiments, as well as materials of dynamic observations of the health status of persons exposed to harmful substances are used. Recently, methods of computer modeling, prediction of the biological activity of new substances, and biotesting on various objects have been widely used.

Of course, the MPC levels of the same substance are different for different environmental objects and for different conditions of human activity. There are a number of different MPCs:

For air environment

For atmospheric air populated areas and enclosed spaces
- MPC_ss - average daily,
  
  MPC_mr - maximum one-time,

For working area air

MPKmr.rz - maximum one-time in the working area,

MPKss.rs - average shift in the working area,

For the aquatic environment

MPCv1 - water bodies of the 1st category of water use,

MPCv2 - water bodies of the 2nd category of water use,

MPKrybhoz - for reservoirs for fishery purposes (Classes of water pollution are determined based on the frequency and multiplicity of exceeding the MPC for a set of indicators)

For soil

For food

The maximum one-time MPC value is set to prevent human reflex reactions during short-term exposure to impurities. The average daily value of MPC is set to prevent general toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic and sensitizing effects of a substance on the human body.

In the context of our study, two "sets" of MPCs are of interest.

Let's return to the issue of carcinogens. There is such an "International Agency for Research on Cancer" - IARC, this is an international research organization, part of the World Health Organization - one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations, and it is engaged in coordinating and conducting research into the causes of cancer in humans and the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, as well as developing scientific strategies for cancer control. IARC experts have developed a classification of factors of various nature (chemical, physical, biological) for carcinogenic activity in relation to humans.

Category 1: carcinogenic to humans. Here is the complete list in Russian.

Category 2A: highly likely to be carcinogenic to humans. List in English.

Category 2B: Possibly carcinogenic to humans. List in English.

Category 3: not classified as carcinogenic to humans. Pretty big list .

Group 1 includes compounds, groups of compounds, industrial processes or occupational exposures, and natural factors for which there is reliable evidence of carcinogenicity to humans. In exceptional cases, the same group includes factors for which there is not sufficient evidence in favor of carcinogenicity in humans, but there is convincing evidence of carcinogenicity in animals, and carcinogenicity is provided by known mechanisms.

Group 2 combines factors that are probably carcinogenic to humans.

Subgroup 2A includes factors for which there is limited or insufficient evidence for carcinogenicity in humans and sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity in animals.

Subgroup 2B includes factors for which there is limited (or insufficient) evidence for carcinogenicity in humans and near sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity in animals.

Group 3 includes factors for which there is insufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and limited evidence in favor of carcinogenicity in animals.

Group 4 includes factors for which there is convincing evidence of the absence of carcinogenicity to humans (the IARC experts have so far classified only caprolactam as such factors).

It is worth mentioning the relative role of some environmental and lifestyle factors in cancer incidence population - plate on the left. The table shows that the most important causative factors in human oncological morbidity are dietary habits, smoking, occupational activities and lifestyle in general. This point of view is sufficiently substantiated by experimental studies and epidemiological observations. It is worth mentioning in connection with some aggressiveness of opponents of OSB and foam plastics, smoking between disputes about the dangers of the system. materials.

But, this site is still dedicated to the construction topic, so I will give a summary table of carcinogens found in country life and during the construction of houses.

After reviewing the table of carcinogens, one can understand that recommendations for the use of personal protective equipment for the skin and respiratory organs are not in vain. Seemingly harmless wood dust is a carcinogen. Do many people use a respirator when sanding parquet? And when pouring cement from a bag, do you also not wear a respirator? Working as a carpenter or roofer is also not safe and is associated with the risk of cancer. Constant contact of the skin with bitumen, with crude oils can also cause cancer. In a word - do not neglect personal protective equipment! Whether it is working with cement, natural wood, foam or mineral wool.

It is not always necessary to panic avoid materials containing carcinogenic substances: with their reasonable use, careful isolation from the living quarters, potential harm from such carcinogenic materials will be minimized. For example, there is no reason to be afraid to use expanded polystyrene (contains elements of group 2B - styrene and an element of group 2A - styrene-7,8-oxide) when isolating it from a dwelling: for warming the foundation, soil, ceilings under a layer of plaster, outdoor or internal wall insulation under a layer of plaster or vapor barrier (for indoor use). Well, let's not forget about MPC .

So, in the process of writing the article, I came to one more characteristic - the Hazard Class.

Hazard class of harmful substances

This is a conditional value intended for a simplified classification of potentially hazardous substances. The hazard class of harmful substances is established depending on the norms and indicators indicated in the following table. The assignment of a harmful substance to a hazard class is carried out according to the indicator, the value of which corresponds to the highest hazard class.

In the table on the left, I have given a classification by hazard class of some common substances. Unfortunately, the table tools do not allow me to select table cells individually, so look carefully - all 4 views in one column have the same formatting. I also devoted two articles to the analysis of the most high-profile chemicals that cause constant controversy and fear:

Well, I'll tell you.

"genes" - "giving birth, born"; hereinafter - "K. c.") - these are blastomogenic substances, carcinogens, carcinogens, chemical compounds that, when exposed to the body, can cause others, as well as benign neoplasms. Several hundred chemical compounds are known. They belong to different classes of chemical compounds. So, strong carcinogens include some polycyclic hydrocarbons with a phenanthrene group in the molecule, azo dyes, aromatic amines, nitrosamines, and other alkylating compounds.

K. v. were found in the composition of some industrial products, in the air polluted by industrial emissions, and in others. date back to the 18th century, when cases of skin cancer in English chimney sweeps were linked to systematic contamination with coal tar and soot. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was possible to cause skin cancer in animals by smearing it with coal tar for many months. Subsequently, K. century were isolated from the resin. - 3,4-benzpyrene and other polycyclic hydrocarbons. Prior to the introduction of appropriate preventive measures, those who worked in the aniline-dye industry and were exposed to K. century. (beta-naphthylamine, benzidine, 4-aminodiphenyl), bladder cancer often occurred. Smokers get lung cancer more often than non-smokers, and residents of cities where air pollution is higher - more often than those living in rural areas.

The same carcinogen, depending on the site of exposure, can cause tumors different types and localization; a tumor of a certain type can be caused by various K. century. By the nature of the action, all K. century. can be roughly divided into three groups:

1) local action;
2) organotropic, i.e., causing tumors not at the injection site, but in certain organs;
3) multiple action, causing various tumors in different organs.

Effect K. in. depends both on the dose and on the duration of their action; accumulation (deposition) in a tissue or organ enhances the action of carcinogens. Neoplasms do not occur immediately after the onset of exposure to K. v., but only after a long period - 1/5 - 1/7 of the maximum life expectancy given organism(for humans, this period can be equal to 15 - 20 years, for mice - 4 - 6 months). The development of a neoplasm is preceded by the so-called precancerous (precancerous) changes (precancer).

Proximity chemical structure carcinogenic hydrocarbons and many biologically active substances - sex hormones of bile acids and other steroids - suggested that steroid metabolism disorders can lead to the formation of K. century. in the body itself; later this assumption was confirmed experimentally. To such K. in. include, in addition to some products of impaired steroid metabolism, also some metabolites, such as tryptophan. The carcinogenic effect is associated with the chemical activity and electronic structure of a certain part of the K. molecule. ("region K"), responsible for the formation of complexes with certain components of the cell (apparently, nucleic acids and some). Many carcinogenic substances have a pronounced mutagenic effect (mutagenesis, mutagens), which cannot be ignored when considering the mechanisms of carcinogenesis under the influence of K. century.

Prevention of action To. on the body is based on the study of their distribution in the human environment and implementation in the field of professional, communal and personal hygiene. In this regard, the fight against air, water and soil pollution by industrial emissions, the prevention of carcinogenic impurities in food products and drinking water. Identification of compounds with carcinogenic activity and their elimination from the sphere of human activity is an effective way to prevent tumors. (Oncologist, Academician of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences Leon Manusovich Shabad)

Read more about carcinogens in the literature:

Models and methods of experimental oncology, edited by Alexander Dmitrievich Timofeevsky, Moscow, 1960;
Iosif Markovich Neiman, Fundamentals of theoretical oncology, M., 1961;
Guide to General Oncology, edited by Nikolai Nikolaevich Petrov, 2nd edition, L., 1961;
L. M. Shabad, Endogenous blastomogenic substances, M., 1969;
Leon Manusovich Shabad, Methods for studying the blastomogenicity of chemicals, M., 1970.

Find something else of interest:

In 30% of cases, cancer occurs due to nutrition. There is a proven link between the consumption of certain hazardous foods and further development nasopharyngeal cancer, digestive system, breast, uterus and prostate. Food by itself does not cause disease. Contribute to the malignant degeneration of cells contained in the products of carcinogens and malnutrition.

A bit about geography, religion, nutrition and cancer

The relationship between the region of residence and the development of cancer was revealed. And this is primarily due to what dishes are national, how they are consumed and in what quantity. For example, residents of Southeast Asia often occur. In America and Europe -,. In countries where it is customary to drink very hot tea (Kazakhstan), it prevails. In Africa, where a predominantly plant-based diet is consumed, the risk of bowel cancer is reduced.

It could be assumed that heredity plays a greater role in the occurrence of cancer than the characteristics of national cuisine. There have been multiple studies of migrants from Southeast Asia to the Americas. It was found that among them there are fewer patients with stomach cancer than patients with a malignant tumor of the intestine.

Studies were carried out on various religious communities. So, believers who do not eat meat (Seventh-day Adventists) are less likely to get cancer of the intestines, breast, uterus,. But that doesn't mean those who don't eat meat will never get cancer. Food, even in such healthy vegetables and fruits, may contain carcinogens.

Carcinogenic effect of food additives, flavors

Many (but not all!) food additives are carcinogens.

Cancer is promoted by certain nutritional supplements, marked on packages with the letter “E” and a three-digit number. Not all of them have the same effect. Adverse impact provide:

dyes (E103, E105, E121, E123, E125, E126, E130, E131, E142, E152);
preservatives (E211, E213-217, E240);
acidity regulators (E330);
emulsifiers (E447).

Saccharin has a carcinogenic effect. It is used as a sugar substitute (1 tablet is equal to 1 teaspoon of sugar). It is sweet (450 times sweeter than glucose), but slightly bitter. Saccharin is not involved in metabolic processes. Accordingly, it is not used as a source of energy and additional calories. Only 20% of saccharin is excreted from the body with feces. The rest accumulates in the kidneys, liver, on the walls of the bladder and contributes to the malignant degeneration of cells. Therefore, saccharin is contraindicated in diseases of the kidneys and liver.

In addition to food additives, alcohol causes cancer.

alcohol and cancer

Alcoholic drinks destroy not only, provoking alcoholic degeneration of hepatocytes. Consistent consumption of even small doses of alcohol causes deficiency folic acid. And all vitamins have an anticarcinogenic effect. The metabolite of alcohol, acetaldehyde, is a cocarcinogen, that is, in combination with other cocarcinogens, it causes cancer.

Alcohol:

depresses the immune system;
causes disruption of the endocrine system;
enhances the absorption of carcinogens.

By disrupting the function of the endocrine and immune systems of the body, alcohol reduces the effectiveness of natural antitumor mechanisms.

Some folk healers are promoting alcohol infusions and vodka as a cancer treatment. Such recommendations should be taken with extreme caution. Mushroom tincture with alcohol really kills cells, but not only tumor cells. In addition, alcohol contributes to the occurrence of liver metastases, and the progression of cancer.

Cancer should be treated in oncology hospitals by oncologists.

Why are meat products dangerous?

Fried meat contains a large number of various carcinogens.

Numerous studies have found that animal fats, meat (especially red) contribute to the development of colon and prostate cancer. The main reasons that excessive meat consumption increases the risk of developing cancer are:

Heat treatment of meat (roasting, smoking) contributes to the formation of carcinogens. In the manufacture of meat products, all kinds of additives are added to the factories. They are necessary for long-term storage, pleasant aroma and taste, and also have a carcinogenic effect.
Meat products contain carcinogenic compounds. Fatty meats are high in saturated fats. In dietary varieties - dietary iron, hormones.
During digestion, proteins are broken down into amino acids and further metabolized by intestinal bacteria. As a result, nitrogenous compounds (phenols, cresols, indoles) are formed, which are cocarcinogens.

What carcinogens are found in meat

Carcinogenic effects are contained in meat:

proteins;
fats;
iron.

Meat products with a high content of saturated fats are especially dangerous. This is due to the fact that:

With the breakdown of fats, the concentration of secondary bile acids, which are carcinogens, increases. Excessive consumption of high-fat meat promotes development.
In the colon, under the influence of fats, the production of fecapentans is stimulated. These substances are mutagenic.
During the processing of fats in the intestine, fecal sterols are formed. They cause malignant changes in the colonic epithelium.

Dietary iron also contributes to the development of cancer. Iron absorbed into small intestine necessary for the body. If there is a lot of it, then part of the dietary Fe enters the large intestine. There it is oxidized under the influence of intestinal bacteria, and the heme is converted into hematin, causing cell changes that contribute to the appearance of a malignant neoplasm.

Carcinogens formed during the manufacture of meat and fish products

The risk of developing cancer increases significantly with the consumption of fried and smoked meat and fish dishes.

Smoked meats are dangerous with a high content of:

polycyclic carbohydrates;
nitrosamines.

Smoked foods contain polycyclic carbohydrates, which are carcinogens. With 50 g of smoked sausage, the same amount of benzpyrene enters the body as after a smoked pack of cigarettes. And in a 250 g can of sprat this substance is the same as in the smoke from 60 packs of cigarettes.

Nitrosamines in smoked meats contain up to 110 mg / kg. And in fresh meat they are found in trace amounts.

Carcinogenic meat products become after roasting. Mutagenicity with this method of processing is 10-50 times higher than with boiling and baking. Overcooked fat is especially dangerous.

Carcinogens in Healthy Vegetables and Fruits

It has been proven that the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits reduces the likelihood of getting cancer. But are they really that safe? They may also contain carcinogens:

mycotoxins;
pesticides;
nitrates and nitrosamines;
polycyclic aromatic carbohydrates.

Where they come from, and what kind of vegetables and fruits are contained in - we will consider in order.

Mycotoxins

These carcinogens are produced by mold fungi, and are mainly affected by them. herbal products. The most dangerous of mycotoxins are aflotoxin, patulin, zeralenone, which have a tumor effect. Most often they are found:

in peanuts;
fresh corn;
juices, jams (if berries and fruits, even slightly moldy, were used in the manufacture).

Mycotoxins appear in compotes, jams, if they are improperly prepared or stored. It is undesirable to eat even a slightly rotten apple, since mold spores are not visible to the naked eye. It is impossible to determine whether a spoiled apple contains a mycotoxin, and how much it is there, without a special study.

Mycotoxins are also found in milk, but only if the animals were fed moldy feed.

Pesticides

Without pesticides, pests and plant diseases would destroy about 1/3 of the entire crop. In vegetables and fruits, these dangerous compounds appear if pesticides are used incorrectly. And these carcinogens get into the products if:

spraying terms are violated (processing was carried out before harvesting);
the dose of pesticides was used more than necessary;
illegal drugs are used.

If pesticides were used strictly according to the instructions, in a timely manner, then they are found in products in trace amounts and do not cause harm to health.

Nitrates and nitrosamines

Vegetables of early ripening contain, as a rule, a large amount of nitrates.

Salts of nitric acid are a product of nitrogen metabolism. There are no products that do not contain nitrates. And they are dangerous because, with an increased content in the intestines, they turn into nitrites.

The permissible daily dose of nitrates for an adult is up to 325 mg / day. Most of them contain:

in unripe vegetables and fruits;
in early ripening vegetables;
if a large amount of nitrogenous fertilizers was used;
due to the application of nitrogenous fertilizers before harvest.

There are plants that can accumulate nitrates. Up to 200-300 mg accumulate leafy vegetables (lettuce, spinach, rhubarb, sorrel, parsley). In cabbage, especially in the stalk, up to 140 mg can accumulate, in potatoes only 25 mg, and in carrots no more than 40 mg.

Nitrosamines are formed by the interaction of highly toxic nitrites and amino acids. Most of them are found in smoked meat. And in vegetables and fruits, these compounds are detected only in salted pickled products.

Polycyclic aromatic carbohydrates

There are over 200 representatives of these compounds, which are carcinogens. They are formed during the heat treatment of products.

Benzopyrene is released when coffee beans are roasted (it contains up to 0.5 µg/kg). There is this substance in the burnt crust of bread (0.5 mcg / kg). Benzopyrene is formed when grains are dried with smoke from brown coal (4 µg/kg). But most of all polycyclic aromatic carbohydrates are found in smoked meat and fish (up to 50 mcg/kg).

Carcinogens in water

There are carcinogens even in drinking water. If the water supply is centralized, then carcinogens in the water are formed during chlorination. Then the water, flowing through the pipes, is contaminated with iron compounds.

In well water, in deep wells, not only nitrates, but also impurities of heavy metals can be contained. In the study of water, even mercury and lead are found.

And what can you eat and not be afraid of cancer

And what happens? Do all foods contain dangerous carcinogens? And then what to eat?

To reduce the likelihood of cancer, first of all, you need to eat right. You should not be overly fond of meat dishes, but it is also undesirable to refuse them. In fact, there are not so many carcinogens in meat, especially if it is properly cooked. But there are many essential amino acids necessary for the functioning of the body.

Fat intake should also be significantly reduced. It is enough to consume daily:

women up to 50 g of saturated fat;
men - up to 75 years.

If fruits and vegetables were bought at the market and it is not known how they were processed and when, then they must:

Wash. Water will wash away not only pesticides that are on the surface, but also pathogenic microbes.
Peel off the peel of those fruits in which this is possible (apples, pears).
In cabbage, it is advisable not to eat the stalk, it is there that harmful substances accumulate most of all.

Boiling destroys nitrates, but heat treatment also destroys vitamins. This method should be used less frequently. And of course, do not consume rotten and spoiled foods.

Cancer is a terrible disease that can only be cured in its early stages. Where does it come from? Scientists have already identified dozens of causes, and hundreds more have yet to be identified. Of the known for certain, the most dangerous "culprit" of the disease is X-ray, radiation, excessive tanning - its usual household sources. But even those who live far from nuclear power plants, does not like to sunbathe and does not take X-rays, are not protected from cancer. Many people can call food products and materials containing one or another carcinogenic substance. Consider the most dangerous.

Carcinogens and mutagens

Modern people, especially residents of large industrial centers, live in a complex environment, the atmosphere, water and soil of which contain a lot of chemical compounds.

Many of them are deadly, such as carcinogens. This is a group of chemical elements that provokes growth. Another group of substances can cause changes at the DNA level, which leads to various mutations in the organs of living beings. Such carcinogens and mutagens enter the environment from cars, from drain and gas pipes of enterprises, with smoke coming from waste incineration at landfills. They are found in food and everyday items. In our technological age, it is unlikely that it will be possible to completely isolate yourself from all harmful substances, but you can try to minimize contact with them.

Nitrates, nitrites, nitrosamines

The "terrible" word "nitrates" is familiar to almost everyone as a powerful carcinogen. However, they are indispensable agriculture as a fertilizer needed by plants, especially for greenhouse vegetables.

There are a lot of them there. Nitrates by themselves are not that dangerous. The harm from them occurs because, once they enter our body, they turn into nitrosamines and nitrites. These are already very poisonous. Nitrites can also be found on their own in natural products and added to industrial products, such as sausages, to give them a "meaty" color. They are designated E250. Nitrites have a strong effect on hemoglobin, impairing its ability to deliver oxygen to cells and remove carbon dioxide from them, which means they disrupt respiration processes. Nitrosamines cause the growth of cancer cells. You can reduce the nitrate content in the following way:

Soak vegetables in water for a couple of hours;

peel the skin;

Blanch in hot water;

Salt, pickle.

Food Additives and Other Dangerous Products

When buying food, you should always study their composition. For example, the additive E123, or amaranth, is recognized as a carcinogen in the United States and is prohibited in Food Industry.

Amaranth is a dye and is used not only in food, but also in leather, textile, and paper industries. In some countries, such as England, it is not prohibited.

The second additive is E121, or citrus red. This yellow-orange powder is also recognized as a carcinogen. In Russia, its use is prohibited. A special type of aflatoxin-producing substances also belongs to carcinogens. They are recognized as "leaders" in carcinogenicity, causing mainly liver cancer. They live on moldy foods, especially peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and stale tea. They are also found in the milk of animals that feed on "sick" food. It should be borne in mind that heat treatment does not kill these mushrooms. One more dangerous substances that we often encounter are peroxides. They are present in rancid fats (for example, in butter), in reusable vegetable oils for frying.

Benzopyrenes

They cause cancer in animals and humans, and are also known to be strong mutagens. They are dangerous even in small doses. They have one bad ability to accumulate in the body, in water, in anything, and also to move from one object to another without any damage to themselves.

As a result, many environmental objects that were "clean" also become dangerous. Benzopyrene can enter the body with breathing and food (the norm is 1 μg per kg of product for adults and 0.2 μg for children and lactating). His sources:

Cigarette smoke (each one piece is 0.09 mgc/kg);

Vehicle emissions;

Smoke from burning fuel;

Oils for food;

Smoked fish;

Dark chocolate (0.08 to 0.6 mcg/kg);

Deeply fried meat (grilled meat).

Carcinogens in the atmosphere

The air around us contains many of the substances that adversely affect humans. Benzene is one of the most famous. It is present in gasoline, used for the production of plastics, rubber, medicines, dyes. Inhalation of its vapors causes poisoning and can lead to leukemia. Dioxins are not as well known, but even more dangerous. These carcinogens cause fetal developmental disorders, immune suppression (chemical AIDS), cancer, and gene mutations. They can enter the body with food, air, through the skin, with breast milk and through the placenta. Some are very much emitted into the air when burning garbage, coal, food waste, when smoking, with exhaust gases. Benzathracene is one of them. This carcinogen is especially abundant in industrial areas, where factory chimneys smoke around the clock. It enters the body not only when breathing, but also through the skin and can cause cancer of the liver, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Its oxidation products are 100 times more carcinogenic than benzene.

Dangerous objects of everyday life

In everyday life, we are also surrounded by mutagenic and carcinogenic substances. Many people are familiar with formaldehyde. It has antiseptic properties, therefore it is used in medicine (for example, the Formagel drug) and cosmetology as part of some antiperspirants and oral hygiene products. In the food industry, formaldehyde is used to increase the shelf life of products and is called E240. Formalin (formaldehyde solution) in large quantities can cause poisoning, and a dose of 60 g is considered fatal. Its carcinogenicity to animals has been absolutely proven. The effect on humans is specified.

The second common carcinogen is vinyl chloride. It is used for the production of vinyl, from which the well-known vinyl wallpapers, linoleum and a bunch of other useful and necessary things are made. The harm from them to health is still being specified, although it is known for certain that vinyl wallpaper contributes to the formation of fungus on the walls. But vinyl materials are especially harmful when heated and burned, because then the aforementioned dioxins are released into the air.

And finally, asbestos. Its variety of chrysotile is used in the production of pipes, plates, heat insulators, roofing, wall panels, bricks, mastic and more. The carcinogenicity of asbestos for humans has been fully proven, therefore, in many countries its use is prohibited.