Carcinogens are chemicals that can cause cancer. Many of the foods and chemicals that we usually consume are believed to cause cancer but no exact information has been provided yet on some of them. Examples of these are reusing of plastic bottles and burnt food consumption. According to some studies, chemicals may leak from tiny cracks the bottle from repeated re-use. It even bothered some parents because most feeding bottles are made with plastics that contain BPA. The Environment California Research and Policy Center has reviewed over a hundred topics and found that BPA has been linked to uterine and breast cancer, decreased testosterone levels and increased risk of miscarriage. Another type of plastic bottle that are commonly reused are the bottled for soda and mineral water. These bottles are made of plastic #1 (polyethylene terephthalate, or also called PET or PETE). John Hopkins also made a newsletter about freezing water in plastic bottles. He noted that this releases the chemical dioxin which is also causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Dr. Fujimoto from Castle hospital also explained the hazard of that chemical in a TV program. He discussed the danger of that chemical and said that plastic containers should not be used to heat food in the microwave. This is applicable to foods that contain fat. He said that fat, high heat and plastic releases dioxin into the food when combined. So when you take in the food it will be introduced to your cells too. Instead of using plastics, he recommended using glass, coning ware and ceramic containers for heating food.

Eating burnt food is also known to cause cancer. Carbohydrate rich food such as; bread, potato and pasta form acrylamide when cooked. Scientists said that when the food is toasted, browned or burnt it produces the chemical acrylamide. Acrylamides are possible carcinogens and known (in concentrations high enough) to cause tumours in laboratory animals used for in study. An 11-year old study has also shown that eating food that was fried, grilled or roasted increases the risk of womb and ovarian cancer. When you burn the food, vital nutrients are also destroyed. You may not really avoid acrylamides if you regularly eat carbohydrates rich food but you can minimize the concentration. Food should not be fried or baked so much to avoid the higher concentration of acrylamide. The process of roasting coffee beans and burnt meat is also believed to transform amino acids to pre-carcinogenic forms. Excessive intake of benz pyrene (carcinogenic chemicals found in grilled food) are also believed to cause cancer. Some doctors recommend taking vitamin C after eating burnt food to fight the carcinogen. Although the studies do not give enough evidences and information about those believed carcinogens. Prevention is still better than cure. If you love the people around you, you will take care of them and also yourself. Living a healthy life will not hurt you; it will even help you enjoy life longer and worry free. It is better to be safe than sorry.

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