Day 035 - 12 Oct 94 - Page 17


     
     1        40 to 30, that is not enough from your point of view?
     2        A.  The weight of the evidence suggests that we will do
     3        far better if the fat intake is lower and if other dietary
     4        changes accompany that, which is an opinion.  The 30 per
     5        cent figure has a scientific element and also a political
     6        element as some of the documents that came out yesterday
     7        revealed, perhaps, that the food industry and others have
     8        lobbied to keep it as high as possible.  I regret to say
     9        that has affected the guidelines of major policy making
    10        organisations.  It has left some of their scientists and
    11        spokespersons in a rather awkward position.
    12
    13   Q.   It goes on Dr. Barnard -- this is about mutagens --
    14        "Scientists are trying to learn more about the
    15        cancer-causing potential of substances known as mutagens
    16        that are present in our food.  They know that mutagens
    17        change the genetic make-up (DNA) of cells and that certain
    18        mutagens in food cause cancer in laboratory animals".  So
    19        far you and I agree about that.  "Scientists have found
    20        that some groups of people who consume a 'typical Western'
    21        (high-fat/low-fibre) diet have higher levels of mutagens
    22        in their stools and also have an increased risk of colon
    23        cancer.  However, a cause-and-effect relationship has not
    24        been established, and specific mutagens that might be
    25        responsible for such a relationship have not been
    26        identified.
    27
    28        Other dietary factors under study include compounds
    29        produced when the body breaks down protein; certain
    30        nitrogen-containing compounds; and chemicals produced by
    31        frying, smoking, or grilling meat and fish.  Certain
    32        dietary mutagens are produced when food, especially meat,
    33        is cooked at high temperatures.  Further studies of a
    34        possible link between these mutagens and colorectal cancer
    35        are planned. If such a link is proven, researchers may
    36        eventually be able to find ways to block the formation or
    37        action of these or other dietary mutagens.  At present,
    38        people can decrease their intake of these substances by
    39        lowering cooking temperatures and wrapping food in foil to
    40        reduce direct contact with flames or smoke.
    41
    42        Researchers are also trying to determine whether specific
    43        dietary components can inhibit the development of cancer
    44        in humans. Researchers have shown that increased levels of
    45        certain vitamins and minerals can reduce the number of
    46        colon cancers in animals.  However, they have not
    47        determined whether increased amounts of these nutrients
    48        can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in humans."
    49
    50        Dr. Barnard, at any rate in 1991, maybe not to the same 
    51        extent now, calcium was proposed as a possible inhibitor 
    52        of colorectal cancer, was it not? 
    53        A.  Yes, there has been some research on that issue.
    54
    55   Q.   To some extent traces of selenium too, is that right?
    56        A.  Selenium has been looked at in a number of studies,
    57        yes.
    58
    59   Q.   Dr. Barnard, the overall question which I have to put to
    60        you is this:  This document, which comes from your

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