[ad_1]
"Organic food reduces the risk of bad cancer and bad cancer," says a study, reports Mail Online.
The news site presents a large study conducted in France, interviewing 69,000 people about their consumption of organic food, then monitoring them for 5 years to determine the number of cancer cases.
Organic foods are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or genetic modification techniques. Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that have not been given antibiotics or growth hormones.
Researchers found that people who ate the most organic foods had a 24% lower risk of cancer than those who ate the least.
Despite encouraging media reports, this study does not prove that eating organic foods will protect you from cancer.
The study does not demonstrate that organic foods are the direct cause of reduced risk. People who ate more organic food led a healthier lifestyle, exercised more, and ate more fruits and vegetables than others. Although researchers have tried to adapt to such health and lifestyle factors, it is still possible that these factors have had an influence.
The claims that "consumption of organic foods will reduce cancer rates" are not yet proven. It would be better to focus on a healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and fiber and low in processed meat, and maintain a healthy weight. Eating well, exercising regularly and not smoking can significantly reduce the risk of cancer.
Where does the study come from?
The research was conducted by the National Institute of Health and Medical Research and the University Paris 13. The funding was provided by several French organizations, including the Ministry of Health and Health. # 39; Institute. for Health Surveillance and the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education.
One of the researchers stated that he has an advisory role with two non-profit organizations to promote the use of organic products.
The study was published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine.
The British media took the conclusions for cash without taking into account other factors likely to influence the results and the low number of registered cancer cases. For example, the Mail's statement that "the greatest impact was seen on the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [a cancer of the lymphatic system] that dropped among those who fled foods sprayed with chemicals" is certainly exaggerated, since this was based on a small number and could be a chance finding.
But, to their credit, the British media pointed out that people who consume organic foods tend to have a healthier lifestyle than others.
What kind of research was it?
This was a population-based cohort study that aimed to determine whether the consumption of organic foods was badociated with the risk of developing cancer.
The organic food market avoids the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and genetically modified methods, and limits the use of drugs in animals.
Previous research has shown other potential beneficial effects of a biological diet, such as a reduced rate of pesticides in urine samples. But few studies have examined the potential link with cancer.
Observational studies such as this one are useful for exploring potential links, but can not prove the cause, other factors of health and lifestyle that may have an influence.
What did the researchers do?
This study involved 68,946 participants (78% women, with an average age of 44 years) from the French Internet-based cohort study, NutriNet-Health. The cohort was created in 2009 to examine the links between diet, nutrition and health.
At the beginning of the study, participants provided information on their socio-demographic status, body measurements, health status and behaviors.
Two months later, they were asked how often they ate 16 different biological products, including fruits and vegetables, dairy products and eggs, meat and fish, cereals and cereals, prepared meals , wine, chocolate and coffee.
They were asked to tick 1 of the following positions:
- most of the time
- occasionally
- never ("too expensive")
- ever ("product not available") [19659025] never ("I do not care about organic products")
- never ("I avoid these products")
- never ("no particular reason")
- I do not know
For each product, 2 points were awarded for "most of the time", 1 point for "occasionally" and 0 for all other responses. The 16 products therefore had a total score of organic foods ranging from 0 to 32 points. The badysis was divided into 4 quartiles, from lowest to highest.
The health outcomes of the participants were recorded on average for 4.5 years. This information was collected through annual questionnaires. If participants reported being diagnosed with cancer, they were asked for medical records (90% obtained) and contact information for the attending physician or hospital.
The fully adjusted badysis took into account the following potential confounding factors:
- age and bad
- marital status
- education, occupational status and monthly income
- smoking and drinking alcohol
- body mbad index [19659025] physical activity
- global food energy intake and intake of fiber, fruit and vegetables, processed foods and red meat
- hormonal factors in women , such as the hormonal treatment used and the fact that they were menopausal
] What were the basic results?
A total of 1,334 cancers developed among 68,946 participants (2% of the cohort). These included bad cancer (34%), prostate cancer (13%), skin cancer (10%) and bowel cancer (7%).
Organic food consumption was more prevalent in:
- women
- women with higher education or professional status
- those who did more physical activity and who had a healthier diet in general
the risk of cancer was 24% lower for most organic foods than for those with the lowest intake (risk ratio (HR) 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64 to 0.90).
There was no difference between people who ate a moderate amount of organic food compared to those who ate the least.
By specific cancer, significant links with the biological food intake were found only for:
- postmenopausal bad cancer
- overall lymphoma
- non-Hodgkin's lymphoma specifically [19659032] However, these results must be taken with caution,
What do the researchers conclude?
The researchers conclude that: "A higher frequency of organic food consumption was badociated with a reduced risk of cancer.Although the results of the study should be the promotion of the consumption of Organic foods in the general population could be a promising prevention strategy against cancer. "
Conclusions
This study constitutes an interesting study of the possible links between organic food consumption and risk of cancer. However, the author's conclusion could be a bit premature. This study alone can not prove that the consumption of organic foods prevents cancer.
There are some points to note.
Cancers continue to develop in people who consume the most organic foods. 360 of those who consume the least organic food). Thus, even if there is a direct link, the consumption of organic foods does not constitute a protection against cancer.
The conclusions regarding the links with specific cancers are based on a very small number – for example, 15 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas among those who consume the least organic foods compared to 2 among those who consume the most.
The ingestion of organic food was taken at one time and was declared. This can be inaccurate and not reflect lifestyle habits.
There was a noticeable difference in the sociodemographic data and lifestyles of those who consumed the most organic food. Researchers have tried to adapt to these factors, but it is still possible that these factors influenced the results. This means that the study can not prove that organic food consumption is responsible for reducing risk, but rather for a healthier lifestyle.
The study has a large sample, but it is online volunteers who have a study on health and nutrition that may not represent the general French population.
Experts have added similar warnings. For example, Professor Tom Sanders of King's College London said: "[The authors’] the conclusion that promoting organic food among the general population could be a cancer prevention strategy promising is exaggerated. "
It is understandable to want to eat health or environmental reasons. But with respect to cancer protection, there is increasing evidence that an effect is a healthier diet, usually consisting of fruits, vegetables and fiber, a small amount of processed meat, regular physical activity and healthy weight.
Analysis of Bazian
Published by the NHS website
Source link
