Despite increasing knowledge of human nutrition, the dietary contribution to cancer remains a troubling question. Carcinogens and Anticarcinogens assembles the best available information on the magnitude of potential cancer risk--and potential anticarcinogenic effect--from naturally occurring chemicals compared with risk from synthetic chemical constituents. The committee draws important conclusions about diet and cancer, including the carcinogenic role of excess calories and fat, the anticarcinogenic benefit of fiber and other substances, and the impact of food additive regulation. The book offers recommendations for epidemiological and diet research. Carcinogens and Anticarcinogens provides a readable overview of issues and addresses critical questions: Does diet contribute to an appreciable proportion of human cancer? Are there significant interactions between carcinogens and anticarcinogens in the diet? The volume discusses the mechanisms of carcinogenic and anticarcinogenic properties and considers whether techniques used to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of synthetics can be used with naturally occurring chemicals. The committee provides criteria for prioritizing the vast number of substances that need to be tested. Carcinogens and Anticarcinogens clarifies the issues and sets the direction for further investigations into diet and cancer. This volume will be of interest to anyone involved in food and health issues: policymakers, regulators, researchers, nutrition professionals, and health advocates.

Contents

• COMMITTEE ON COMPARATIVE TOXICITY OF NATURALLY OCCURRING CARCINOGENS
• BOARD ON ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND TOXICOLOGY
• COMMISSION ON LIFE SCIENCES
• Preface
• Executive Summary
• 1. Introduction
  • Statement of Task and Deliberations of the Committee
  • Definitions
  • Structure of the Report
  • References
• 2. Naturally Occurring Carcinogens and Anticarcinogens in the Diet
  • Exposure To Naturally Occurring Chemicals
  • The Composition Of Foods
  • Naturally Occurring Carcinogens Formed During Processing or Contamination of Food
  • Current State Of Knowledge Of Human Dietary Carcinogens
  • Current State Of Knowledge Of Human Dietary Anticarcinogens
  • Effect of Dietary Macronutrients on Carcinogenesis
  • Effect of Dietary Micronutrients on Carcinogenesis
  • Engineering an Optimal Diet
  • Summary And Conclusions
  • References
• 3. Synthetic Carcinogens in the Diet
  • Synthetic Food Additives
  • Occurrence and Exposure
  • Mechanisms Of Carcinogenesis
  • Metabolism
  • Toxicological Comparisons
  • Summary And Conclusions
  • References
• 4. Methods for Evaluating Potential Carcinogens and Anticarcinogens
  • Methods For Evaluating Chemical Carcinogenesis
  • Comparison Of Methods For Evaluating Natural And Synthetic Carcinogens
  • Criteria For Selecting And Testing
  • Summary And Conclusions
  • References
• 5. Risk Comparisons
  • Monitoring Food Consumption
  • Dietary Exposure to Potential Carcinogens and Anticarcinogens
  • Measures of Carcinogenic Potency
  • Estimating Human Cancer Risks
  • Dietary Cancer Risks
  • Summary And Conclusions
  • Overall Conclusions
  • References
• 6. Conclusions, Recommendations, and Future Directions
  • Conclusions
  • Recommendations
  • Future Directions
  • Closing Remarks
  • References
• Appendix A. Selected Substances in Food Subjected to Some Degree of Carcinogenicity Testing in Animals and for Which Some Positive Results Have Been Reported
• Appendix B. Agents with Potential Carcinogenic Activity and Their Occurrence in the Diet
• Appendix C. Chemical Compounds Occurring in Dietary Plants that Have Been Reported to Inhibit Carcinogenesis in Vivo

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.

This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to procedures approved by a Report Review Committee consisting of members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Bruce Alberts is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Harold Liebowitz is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Kenneth I. Shine is president of the Institute of Medicine.

The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy's purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Bruce Alberts and Dr. Harold Liebowitz are chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the National Research Council.