Studies showed that smoking and a poor diet are responsible for lung cancer. In the past researchers identified that smoking cigarettes was the main cause of lung cancer. But additional research recently identified that poor diets were another cause of lung cancer. Recent studies show that a combination of smoking and of a poor diet cause more lung cancer.
Details of the new studies
12 separate studies were analyzed as a metaanalysis. Two types of dietary patterns were identified. The Western/meat pattern contained processed foods, red meats and processed meats. The Healthy/prudent diet pattern involved fruits and vegetables, nuts, citrus fruits, fish, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, among others. There was a clear risk of the Western/meat pattern diet with regard to developing lung cancer, namely 1.39-fold. In contrast, the Healthy/prudent diet reduced the risk to 0.65-fold. In other words, adhering to a Western/meat diet doubled the risk of lung cancer compared to adhering to a Healthy/prudent diet.
Former smokers versus current smokers and their diet patterns
Researchers also looked at former and current smokers on either the healthy or unhealthy diet patterns. Here are the results:
- Lung cancer risk in former smokers: on Western/meat pattern diet: 1.93-fold.
- Lung cancer risk in current smokers: on Western/meat pattern diet: 1.35-fold.
- Lung cancer risk in former smokers: on Healthy/prudent pattern diet: 0.61-fold.
- Lung cancer risk in current smokers: on Healthy/prudent pattern diet: 0.64-fold.
Discussion
This study clearly showed that the carcinogen exposure from cigarette smoking is one cause of lung cancer. However, super exposed to this cause is another cause, namely an unhealthy diet pattern with processed foods, red meat and processed meat. This type of diet was shown by other investigators to have cancer-causing effects. It is therefore not surprising that apart from inhaled carcinogens ingested carcinogens superimpose the risk of lung cancer. South Korean researchers reported earlier that excessive alcohol consumption can cause lung cancer and other cancers. Cancer develops because of a multitude of factors. Two such factors, inhaled carcinogens and ingested carcinogens were investigated in this publication.
Smoking and a poor Diet are responsible for Lung Cancer
Conclusion
A recent study showed that there are combined causes for developing lung cancer. Exposure to an unhealthy diet (Western/meat pattern) and to inhaling carcinogens from cigarettes are super-additive. The study did not investigate exposure to polluted air. Persons who do not smoke cigarettes and consume a healthy diet pattern have the best survival. This involves fruits and vegetables, nuts, citrus fruits, fish, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, among others. In order to keep the risk of cancer development down in general terms a regular exercise program and 7 to 8 hours of good sleep per night are also essential. The healthy diet pattern provides anti-oxidant chemicals, which inactivate carcinogens and stimulate the immune system.
