Wheat, rye and barley a cancer risk

Books:

This post includes a summary of a paper published in Medical Hypotheses 1997 Sep;49(3):285-8 and a recipe for coconut milk and curry frittata.

Study title and author:
Considering wheat, rye, and barley proteins as aids to carcinogens.
Hoggan R.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9293475

To maintain their health people with celiac disease have to avoid food which contain gluten such as wheat, rye barley and oats.

Gluten is implicated in the increased incidence of cancer of white blood cells in celiac disease, and the risk of developing this malignancy is 40-100-fold greater than in the general population.

Hoggan believes that gluten may also be at the root of this cancer in another section of the population as well. Molecules called Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) factors may be involved in this process.

Human Leukocyte Antigens are found on the surface of cells and are involved in removing bacteria and viruses. There are many different types of HLA and people with the types; HLA - DR3, HLA - B8 and HLA - DQ2 are prone to celiac disease. About 20 -30% of the population have these types of HLA.

Hoggan explains that gluten is leaked into the bloodstream in people with these particular HLA's which then increases the risk of cancer in the white blood cells. So, as well as celiacs having this increased risk, up to 30% of the general population have as well.

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall

Recipe of the day

Coconut Milk and Curry Frittata

Ingredients:

7 eggs

½ red onion, finely diced

2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

Food Mall: Eggs

¼ cup coconut milk

2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 tablespoon coconut oil
Sea salt to taste

Instructions:
Heat the coconut oil in a medium sized skillet, add the onions and cook until the onions begin to caramelize. While the onions are cooking whisk together the eggs, coconut milk, tomato paste, curry powder and salt. Rowan helped me whisk and then I used a hand held mixer to make sure all the ingredients were well blended. Add the spinach to the onions and oil and cook until the spinach is wilted. Evenly spread the onion and spinach mixture over the bottom of the skillet and pour in the egg mixture. Cover and cook over medium low heat for 4 minutes. Transfer the frittata to the oven and cook under the broiler uncovered for another 2 -3 minutes or until the frittata is cooked all the way through. Slice like a pizza and serve.

Coconut Milk and Curry Frittata

Gluten, coeliac disease and cancer

Published in Med Wieku Rozwoj. 2002 Jul-Sep;6(3):227-32.

Cancer in children with celiac disease. Gluten-sensitive enteropathy in a boy operated for Wilms tumour.
Hozyasz KK, Milanowski A.
Klinika Pediatrii, Instytut Matki i Dziecka, 01-211Warszawa, ul. Kasprzaka 17a, Poland. khozyasz@alpha.net.pl

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12637777
 
In adults untreated coeliac disease (CD) is associated with a wide variety of malignant complications. The overall mortality in CD is approximately twice that of the general population. The excess deaths are due mainly to intestinal cancer. In Europe, only 26 cases of CD and cancer in children have been published. There is evidence that cancer and CD in children are underreported.
 
The paper reported a case of kidney cancer (Wilms tumour) in a child who developed CD. Gluten was introduced in his diet at age of 12 months. He developed vomiting, abdominal distention and organ damage. Up to the age of 16 months he had lost 1500 g and coeliac crisis was diagnosed. Symptoms improved rapidly when a gluten free diet was initiated, and 4 years later, clinical and blood antibodies findings were normal.

AMAZON UK Going Against the Grain: How Reducing and Avoiding Grains Can Revitalize Your Health
AMAZON USA Going Against the Grain: How Reducing and Avoiding Grains Can Revitalize Your Health

Gluten implicated as a cancer risk

This study was published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 2004 Feb;38(2):177-80

Study title and authors:
Gluten-free diet has a beneficial effect on chromosome instability in lymphocytes of children with coeliac disease.
Kolacek S, Jadresin O, Petković I, Misak Z, Sonicki Z, Booth IW.
Referral Center for Paediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, Children's Hospital Zagreb, University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia. siki@inet.hr

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14734880
 
Children with coeliac disease (CD) have an increased number of chromosome abnormalities in their white blood cells. Whether genetically determined or a secondary phenomenon in CD, chromosome abnormalities may be involved in the predisposition to cancer in CD patients.

The aim of the study was to follow a group of children with CD in whom the initial frequency of chromosome abnormalities at diagnosis was known and to measure the same variable after a minimum of 2 years on a gluten-free diet.
 
The authors found that the frequency of chromosome aberrations in peripheral white blood cells of patients with CD decreased significantly on a gluten-free diet.

They concluded that chromosome instability was a secondary phenomenon, possibly caused by chronic intestinal inflammation (caused by gluten).

AMAZON UK Is Gluten Making Me Ill?: A 14-day Programme to Reduce Symptoms of Gluten Sensitivity and Restore Your Health and Vitality
AMAZON USA The Gluten Connection: How Gluten Sensitivity May Be Sabotaging Your Health--And What You Can Do to Take Control Now

Eating whole grains increases the risk of prostate cancer

This post includes a summary of a paper published in Cancer Causes Control 2010 Oct 31 and a recipe for crockpot Italian chicken.

Study title and authors:

Books:

Dietary glycemic index, glycemic load, insulin index, fiber and whole-grain intake in relation to risk of prostate cancer.

Nimptsch K, Kenfield S, Jensen MK, Stampfer MJ, Franz M, Sampson L, Brand-Miller JC, Willett WC, Giovannucci E.
Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 2, Room 304, Boston, MA, 02115, USA, knimptsc@hsph.harvard.edu.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21069447?dopt=Abstract
 
The study investigated the association between the consumption of whole grains and prostate cancer in 5,112 men.

The study found the men who ate the most whole grains had a 13% increase in prostate cancer compared to the men who ate the least.

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall

Recipe of the day

Crockpot Italian Chicken

Ingredients:

12 boneless, chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

Food Mall: Boneless Chicken Thighs

2 14.5 oz cans tomatoes with Italian herbs

2 cups cubed zucchini
1 cup pearl onions, peeled
1 cup baby carrots
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in crockpot. Stir to mix. Cook on low setting 6 to 10 hours or until done.

Crockpot Italian Chicken