Industrial Agriculture Products Linked to Cancer

How the #2 cause of death in the US is perpetuated by what we eat.

Cancer is the #2 killer of people in America. It is a disease that has stumped us for centuries. There have been millions of studies done connecting cancer to things that we interact with on a daily basis in order to try and determine its cause. Some cover GMOs and antibiotics, while others research red and processed meat.

How is meat connected to cancer?

Scientists are stating that red and processed meat can increase cancer risk by a significant amount. They concluded that high consumption of red meat increases risk by 28%, and high consumption of processed meat increases risk by 20%. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the cancer that is most linked with meat consumption. The cumulative results of many studies show that red meat and processed meat specifically increase CRC risk by 20-30%. This may not prove that cancer is caused by meat consumption, but it definitely highlights how it can increase your susceptibility to it.

For example, in one study, out of the 1,329 people diagnosed with cancer, those who ate about 5 ounces or more of red meat per day were about a third more likely to develop colon cancer than those who ate less.

Red and processed meats typically contain a compound called sodium nitrite. The combination of this nitrite and the lower ph of saliva and stomach acid creates nitric oxide when consumed. It then mixes with other compounds within the body to create Nitroso-compounds. When these compounds make their way into the intestines, it creates DNA damage and begins to form a colon carcinoma, which is the beginning of a colon cancer tumor. Gut inflammation caused by abnormal gut bacteria and an unbalanced diet can also lead to a tumor developing.

Industrial Agriculture uses GMOs, therefore harboring more health risks than organic farming.

GMOs, Pesticides and Antibiotics

Other potential causes of cancer are genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides, and antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to make animals grow faster and to keep them alive in the unsanitary conditions. Research shows that factory farms’ widespread use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria that threaten human health.

Not only do cancer contributing practices exist in the farming of plant-based foods, industrial agriculture uses a mass amount of GMOs and pesticides in their crop production. Glyphosate, a common pesticide also used in GMOs, can endanger human health. Recent studies confirm that it carries a risk of cancer, and it may be linked to other health issues affecting reproduction, child development, and internal organs.

Ultimately, these compounds in both meat and chemicals used for farming are harmful and should not be used on the massive scale at which they are. They are proven to harm human health, yet the government still legalizes them and encourages them for farming practices.

What can you do?

In order to avoid cancer risk, it is highly recommended to avoid large amounts of red meat and other animal fats. It is also recommended to avoid plant products with GMOs and pesticides and shift to organic eating instead. One of the best things you can do for yourself is buy organic, non-GMO produce and cut back your meat intake, or even go vegan. It is also extremely important to balance your diet and monitor your health, especially if you are at risk for cancer. If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of cancer, please contact your doctor.

Sources:

Aykan, Nuri Faruk. “Red Meat and Colorectal Cancer.” The National Center for Biotechnology Information, US National Library of Medicine, 28 December 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4698595/

“Factory Farming: The Industry Behind Meat and Dairy.” PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, 30 December 2020, https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/factory-farming/

Harvard University. “Red Meat and Colon Cancer.” Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, 1 January 2008, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/red-meat-and-colon-cancer

The Natural Resources Defense Council. “Industrial Agriculture 101.” NRDC, 12 August 2020, https://www.nrdc.org/stories/industrial-agriculture-101