Читать книгу Anti-Inflammatory Diet For Dummies - Artemis Morris - Страница 58

Researchers continue to find connections between cancer and inflammation. For example, medical researchers have found that

 Inflammation can cause DNA changes. A study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) shows a correlation between the DNA damage caused by inflammation and colorectal cancer.

 Recurring infections due to viruses, bacteria, and even overgrowth of yeast can set the body up so it’s prone to developing cancer cells. For example, certain strains of HPV (human papillomavirus) increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.

 Toxins in food, like nitrosamines in cured and smoked meats, can stimulate the growth of cancer cells.

 Chronic inflammation helps existing tumors grow and can encourage cancer stem cells to replicate. A study at the University of Michigan’s Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2010 suggested that the link between the stem cells of breast cancer and inflammation can promote recurrence of the cancer.

When inflammation persists, it creates a negative environment that can support the development of tumors, and pre-cancerous cells can become malignant. Researchers believe this happens because many of the processes that occur in chronic inflammation can contribute to tumor growth and disease progression.

Inflammation starts with the help of cytokines — chemicals that send signals to certain cells to either enhance or suppress the body’s immune system. These cytokines are proteins whose primary responsibility is to attack foreign bodies or damaged cells or to signal other parts of the immune system to get in gear and attack. Cancer cells are just the type of cells cytokines should be attacking. However, although cancer cells have somehow lost their ability to control their own growth, they are otherwise normal, healthy cells. Because of this, the immune system doesn’t recognize these cells as foreign, so it doesn’t attack.