|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Article Navigation
|
Whiskey: An Antidote For Cancer?by: Charlene J. Nuble Some scientists believe that whiskey may be one of the keys to preventing the Big C For a quite a number of years, liquor has been known not only to bring destructive intoxication and addiction upon its patrons, but also as deterrent to a healthy lifestyle. But as a potential weapon against cancer? Sounds controversial. Rumors that single malt whiskey may be a tool to combat cancer have begun circulating recently. Whether it actually holds any water has yet to be proven. According to one of the theory’s proponents, a consultant to the whiskey industry, Dr. Jim Swan, the antioxidants present in whiskey, particularly ellagic acid, can reduce the risk of developing cancer, since this acid fights the unstable atoms that aid in rapid cell replication. He added that the more cells were produced, the more likely that rogue cancer cells will be born. “Whiskey can protect you from cancer and science proves it,” he said, speaking at the EuroMedLab 2005 conference in Glasgow. Dr Swan explained that ellagic acid, which is in greater concentration in whiskey than in red wine, breaks down the harmful free radicals present in our body. However, Cancer Research UK remains unconvinced. The agency has raised concerns that what Dr Swan and his supporters are pushing might mislead consumers into drinking excessive amounts of whiskey just to avoid cancer. Cancer Research noted that liquor intake can eventually lead to certain kinds of cancer, such as those in the esophagus, throat, mouth, bowel and liver. Dr Swan’s idea that whiskey can prevent cancer also received criticism, owing mostly to an absence of population data supporting them. Contrariwise, according to the agency’s head of cancer information Lesley Walker, there exists evidence that high alcohol consumption does increase cancer risks. Ms Walker noted that while ellagic acid is a formidable antioxidant and may greatly aid in the fight against cancer, its presence in whiskey is not reason enough for people to begin drinking up, especially as ellagic acid can also be found in certain fruits. The concept that a certain type of alcohol may help deter cancer is novel and, for frequent drinkers, even noble. What liquor patron would ignore this theory? But, still, Dr Swan’s ideas remain untested and there does not exist any known positive link between whiskey and cancer. If there would be something that suggest this is true sometime in the future, then it will be considered revolutionary. However, in the absence of adequate information at present, whiskey as a deterrent to cancer is a dubious thought. While we all hope and pray that an alternative treatment to cancer will surface soon, this is probably not the time to become this optimistic about whiskey’s alleged benefits. Latest Cancer News:Cancer Connection: Survivor's guilt can be painful side effect of cancer People going through cancer treatment at the same time often form their own peer group. They see each other in chemo, in radiation and in various support groups. The fortunate ones do well, but they often feel guilty when others in their cohort succumb to the disease. Cancer institute celebrates opening of expansion LITTLE ROCK ? Forty cancer survivors shared the stage with dignitaries such as Gov. Mike Beebe and former U.S. Sen. David Pryor at a ceremony today marking the opening of a 12-story expansion to the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Cancer Research UK launches new £18 million Biotherapeutics Development Unit Cancer Research UK's Drug Development Office marks the launch of its Biotherapeutics Development Unit (BDU) today (Friday) with the manufacture of its first product - an antibody for treating a range of cancers. Cancer Vaccine: 4 Months of Life Worth $100K? Prostate cancer vaccine, Provenge, adds 4 months to life, at a pricetag of 100K. The first-ever approved cancer vaccine, Provenge offers hope to men with advanced prostate cancer, but the high cost of this new treatment raises healthcare policy questions. Prostate cancer - Sipuleucel-T - Cancer - Cancer vaccine - Health CÁNCER (Julio 30) CÁNCER: No olvides desarrollar tu trabajo con organización y perseverancia. Trata de hacer algo totalmente nuevo; tus amistades serán tus mejores aliadas. Breast Cancer's DNA Yields More Secrets Title: Breast Cancer's DNA Yields More Secrets Category: Health News Created: 7/29/2010 2:10:00 PM Last Editorial Review: 7/30/2010 Cancer Group Says State Failing To Combat Disease The American Cancer Society released a statement saying Tennessee is falling short on legislative efforts to fight the disease. Cancer patients in windpipe swap op Doctors have successfully transplanted windpipes into two cancer patients in an innovative procedure that uses stem cells to allow a donated trachea to regenerate tissue and create an organ biologically close to the original. Related Stories Two killed in Los Angeles explosion Billy the Kid pardon considered Chelsea Clinton set to tie the knot Everglades added to UN danger list Wilders denied ... Cancer survivors show how to LiveStrong Oklahoma cancer patients and survivors will pitch for a future free of cancer at the annual LiveStrong Night with the Oklahoma City RedHawks. Turner Mason Swink, an Oklahoma City eighth-grader first diagnosed with cancer when he was only a year old, and 8-year-old Caitlin Schemmel, a third-grader from Colbert diagnosed with leukemia in December, will throw out the first pitch at the event ... Male Breast Cancer In Family Leads To High Perception Of Risk, Low Likelihood Of Genetic Counseling People with a family history of male breast cancer perceive themselves to be at higher risk of developing the disease than do patients with a family history of female breast cancer; however those with male breast cancer in their families are less likely to know about or seek genetic testing than those with a family history of female breast cancer, according to a study led by researchers at the ... Showtime stays true to form with 'The Big C,' a cancer comedy - Dallas Morning News
|
||||||||||||||||||||||