In July 2008, Cancer Research UK need help in facing the truth, and know- 5. Alcohol induces the deficiency of
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION:
advised against drinking red wine to re- ing what is important in life? essential nutrients and dietary factors that
duce the risk of cancer, despite the US are cancer protective.
study suggesting to do so. The Informa- Gene Ang, PhD Neuroscientist, Yale, 6. Alcohol induces alteration of the
NOT ABOUT JUDGEMENT
tion Manager of Cancer Research UK, states, “There is strong research evidence immune response.
Henry Scowcroft, writes that from the that consumption of Alcohol has a detri- If knowledge can wipe out suffering,
point of view of cancer prevention, “there mental effect on the brain, due to oxida- why would anyone avoid knowing? There
is no such thing as good alcohol”, citing tive and proinflammatory effects. In ef- is no good reason to live in ignorance.
the overwhelming evidence that, even fect it is acting as a neurotoxin. When the There is no good reason to resist truth
in moderate amounts, alcohol increases nervous system is challenged, the whole any more; the evidence is present and
the risk of many cancers. Any beneficial body is also”. clear regarding the health risks of con-
effects of the resveratrol in red wine are The following is a small overview suming alcohol. We are strong enough as
completely outweighed by the negative of the internationally agreed upon bio- a society to face up to reality as we did
effects of alcohol in that same drink. Res- logical mechanisms by which alcoholic with knowledge and truth about cigarette
veratrol is found in plentiful amounts in beverages exert their cancer causing ef- smoking. The choice for many people
grapes. It occurs in the vines, roots, seeds, fect, in review of “Alcohol as a Cause of may still be to smoke cigarettes and drink
and stalks, but its highest concentration is Cancer”: alcoholic beverages. The choice for others
in the skin, which contains 50-100 micro- 1. Strong evidence that the carcino- may be to demand smoke free and alco-
grams ([micro]g) per gram. Resveratrol is genic effect is mediated by acetaldehyde, hol free environments for themselves and
a phytoalexin, a class of antibiotic com- the highly toxic by- product of alcohol their children. Living in a healthy, natu-
pounds produced as a part of a plant's metabolism. The large intestine and sa- ral way is our birthright, and choosing to
defense system against disease. liva do not clear this toxin and therefore do so may result in a disease free society
In August 2008, this past summer, it can build up to abnormally high levels some day when we see that so much of
Cancer Research UK reports of their study in the gastrointestinal tract. Acetaldehyde our health issues are preventable.
done to gage public knowledge in the UK interferes with DNA synthesis and repair, The focus of this article on alcohol
about the connection between alcohol which can then result in tumor develop- consumption is about education, not
and cancer. It states that women (an in- ment. judgment. I believe that our personal
crease of 35-42 percent over the last 12 2. Alcohol has been shown to in- health choices are best made with the
months) are now aware and recognizing crease estrogen levels and estrogen re- highest level of health information and
alcohol as a cause of cancer. However, ceptor activity. Therefore, there is strong education available to us. With knowl-
the British men's understanding of this lab-based evidence of an increase in cel- edge, human beings can make informed
connection, in the past 12 months, has lular proliferation in the breast and sexual decisions concerning their health. If an
not changed at all. Lisa Cooney, head organs attributed to alcohol consumption. individual is educated about the risks of a
of education for Cancer Research UK, This then leads to tumor development. certain behavior and chooses to take that
writes that it is good that British women 3. A proposed mechanism of carci- risk, then they are knowingly subjecting
are increasingly aware that drinking al- nogenic effect is that alcohol increases themselves to the consequences of that
cohol increases your risk of cancer. She the solubility of cancer causing agents choice. Making uninformed choices is
writes that people need to know the facts entering the lining of the oral cavity. dangerous for our society and perpetu-
in order to make informed choices about 4. Evidence shows that alcohol con- ates those dangers for future generations.
their drinking habits. But she, along with sumption decreases folate in the human The truth shall set us free.
the World Cancer Research Fund show being. Folate deficiency leads to sev- You are now informed. Only you can
concern that more needs to be done to eral cancers. Folate plays a critical role
decide what to do with the information.
alert men to the fact that drinking alcohol in DNA synthesis and repair, therefore,
increases their risk of cancer. The scien- when it is deficient, normal DNA func-
Donna Grimm is an RN with a Masters
tific evidence is strong, but the message tion is compromised leading to tumor
Degree in Spiritual Counseling Located
is not getting through. development.
at 150 Sycamore Street, Glastonbury, Ct.
Throughout the world there is an at-
tempt to educate the public concerning
the issues of alcohol as a cause of cancer.
The death and suffering due to cancer has
affected the entire world population.
The world accepted literature pre-
sented gives a compelling case that alco-
hol consumption places people at risk for
cancer. This risk is unnecessary and with
education on the subject, many people
may reconsider their beverage choices.
Other parts of the world appear to be
leading the United States in confronting
this public health issue. Does our country
April 2009 27
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