How Brazil Nuts Can Beat Cancer

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http://campaignfortruth.com/Eclub/220705/CTM%20-%20Brazil%20Nuts%20Can%20Help%20Beat%20Cancer.htmHow Brazil Nuts Can Beat Cancerby Tim Utton and Robin YappA handful of Brazil nuts a day can reduce the risk of eight types ofcancer by up to 76 per cent, scientists said yesterday. They arepacked with the mineral selenium, which can help prevent cancer of theliver, lung, stomach, prostate, pancreas, brain, kidney and oesophagusby blocking the formation of tumours.Selenium also fights tumours once they appear, improving the chancesof survival.Dr Margaret Rayman of the University of Surrey, told the BritishAssociation Festival of Science in Exeter that people should aim for adaily intake of around 200 micrograms (mcg) of the mineral.That cuts risk by between 46 per cent in the case of lung cancer and76 per cent for prostate cancer, studies have found.A handful of Brazil nuts a day is enough. Other sources are liver,kidney and shellfish.People also get some selenium from the soil, through crops such aswheat. However Britons get on average only 30 mcg in their diet today,half the level of the early 1970s.Doctor Rayman says this is partly because when we joined theforerunner of the European Union, we changed from importing wheat fromselenium-rich Canada to European sources, where the soil contains alot less of the mineral.She warned that taking more than 450 mcg of selenium a day can causesome toxic effects.A medical conference in London heard how the spice turmeric, whichhelps give curries their distinctive flavour and colour, can helpprotect against leukaemia in children.Scientists suspect some children are born with a predisposition to theblood cancer and that it is triggered by environmental factors.Infections, viruses, radiation and pesticides are suspected culpritsProfessor Moolky Nagabhushan, of the Loyola Medical Centre in Chicago,told the conference, organised by the charity Children with Leukaemia,that studies suggest turmeric and its colouring curcumin, protectagainst these "triggers".Daily Mail, September 2004