Adding to the lack of regulation is the fast food adverts which
portray a healthy and social lifestyle, without any warning of the real
consequences of consuming ultra-processed fast food. Eating junk food
has become engrained in the American culture, it is as synonymous with
Americana as baseball and Independence Day. Not to mention the
industrial lobbyists who push to cast junk food in a positive light. The
Dr feels that it is vital that the desire to protect citizens from
cancer-causing substances should transcend the political motivations of
these lobbyists.
Doctor makes worrying claim that ‘every new patient’ at cancer clinic is under 45 and blames one thing
|Cancer does
not have a single cause, but instead is the result of the interaction
of several factors. [1] However, certain factors, such as obesity and
smoking, can increase one’s risk of developing cancer. There is one
major factor, though, that many new patients under the age of 45 share
in common. An oncologist from Duke University in North Carolina, Dr
Nicholas DeVito, has recently noted this factor and begun to share his
findings with the public.
The Major Factor Causing Cancer in Under 45s
Based on the data that Dr DeVito has analyzed, and his one-on-one
observations with his patients, he has concluded that junk food and
processed meat are causing the rise in young cancer
patients. The doctor noted that the number of gastrointestinal cancers
was rising among those under 50 years of age. He also noted that
especially in stomach and bile duct cancer, these rates increased with
each new generation. Almost three-quarters of Americans are currently
consuming process-heavy foods in their diets.
Lack of Regulation
Diets that are heavy in processed foods are proving to be a cause of gastrointestinal cancers.
[2] This is raising concerns about proper regulation in the food
industry. The U.S. often allows the use of additives that have not been
proven 100% safe yet. This is in stark contrast to the regulatory
practices of the European Union, where ingredients have to first be
proven safe before they go on the market. False Advertising
Stay Away From Junk Food and Processed Meat
Doctors recommend that individuals consume less highly processed food
that is high in salt, sugar, and saturated fats. This includes biscuits,
cakes, pastries, fries, sugar-sweetened sodas, and fast food, such as
burgers and pizzas. While cancer was previously a disease associated
with the elderly, in recent years there has been a trend of individuals
getting diagnosed with cancer younger and younger.
The Data on Fast Food and Cancer
While there may be several factors contributing to the development of
cancer, processed meat and other highly processed foods have recently
drawn the most notice. Recent research has indicated that on some
occasions early-onset bowel cancer can be triggered by gut bacteria
that’s more common in individuals whose diets are high in sugar and low
in fiber. Some tumors of people diagnosed with early-onset colorectal
cancer have mutations that might be initiated by these microbial
species. Doctors believe that these mutations limit the body’s ability
to fight pre-cancerous cells.What Are Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed foods refer to packaged foods, beverages, cereals,
and ready-to-eat items containing colorants, emulsifiers, flavorings,
and other ingredients. They are often sugar-heavy, full of saturated fat
and salt, and contain no nutrients or fiber. One recent study revealed
that ultra-processed foods make up around 73% of the American food
supply. [3] More than 60% of an average American’s daily calorie intake
comes from consuming ultra-processed foods. How Often Is It Safe to Eat Junk Food?
Doctors suggest that this type of food is only eaten in small amounts
on an occasional basis. Research has indicated that individuals who
consume 10% more ultra-processed foods have a 23% greater risk of
developing neck and head cancer. A diet heavy in processed foods was
also linked to a 24% greater risk of developing cancer of the esophagus.
This type of cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer-related
mortalities around the world. Processed meat is so bad for the human
body that the World Health Organization recently classified it as
carcinogenic. There was also data that proved the consumption of
processed meat caused colorectal cancer.The Bottom Line on Cancer and Highly Processed Food
Doctors say the higher cancer risk is due to the nitrates in the meat.
When these nitrates which with various chemicals in the body, they
damage cells. Another study revealed that individuals who consumed
processed red meat daily were 40% more likely to develop bowel cancer.
This was compared to those who only consumed meat once a week. A rise in
cancer risk was found to be linked to the consumption of foods that
contain nitrite preservatives, smoked foods, and red meat. If you want
to lower your cancer risk, cut out processed meat and junk food as much
as you can. Try to limit yourself to eating meat once a week, there are
so many tasty alternatives to explore!