Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Mouthwash and Oral Cancer

I found this article, and thought it was thought provoking, considering that last night I realized that all my mouthwashes and toothpaste has artificial sweeteners in them:

This article from the following website: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1113422/Mouthwash-causes-oral-cancer-pulled-supermarkets-say-experts.html

Mouthwash 'causes oral cancer' and should be pulled from supermarkets, say experts

By Daniel Martin
Last updated at 1:47 AM on 13th January 2009

Mouthwashes can cause oral cancer and should be removed from supermarket shelves, an expert said last night.

There is 'sufficient evidence' that those containing alcohol contribute to increased risk of the disease, according to a review of the latest studies by an Australian scientist.

Professor Michael McCullough, whose findings are published in the Dental Journal of Australia, said some mouthwashes were more dangerous than wine or beer because they contained higher concentrations of alcohol - as high as 26 per cent proof.

mouthwash

The ethanol in mouthwash is thought to allow cancer-causing substances to permeate the lining of the mouth more easily and cause harm.

He said they should only be available with a prescription and for short-term use.

'We see people with oral cancer who have no other risk factors than the use of alcohol-containing mouthwash, so what we've done in this study is review all the evidence that's out there,' he said.

Smoking and alcohol consumption are well-established risk factors in oral cancer which is diagnosed in 5,000 people in the UK each year, and causes 1,600 deaths.

Professor McCullough, from Melbourne University, said the alcohol in mouthwash allows cancer-causing substances such as nicotine to penetrate the lining of the mouth more easily.

And it can mean a toxic breakdown product of alcohol called acetaldehyde - another carcinogen - can accumulate in the oral cavity when swished around the mouth.

The review reported evidence from an international study of 3,210 people which found daily mouthwash use was a 'significant risk factor' for head and neck cancer.

The effects were worst in smokers who had a nine-fold increased risk of cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. Those who drank alcohol had more than five times the risk.

Last night a British Dental Association spokesman said the evidence was 'not conclusive' and more research was needed.

Yinka Ebo, from Cancer Research UK, said: ' Mouthwash users may be more likely to have poor oral hygiene so more research is needed to find out if it's the mouthwash or the poor oral hygiene that increases the risk of mouth cancer.'

A spokesman for Johnson & Johnson, which makes Listerine, dismissed the claim.

He said: 'This small review includes only a selective group of clinical data. Evidence from at least ten epidemiological studies published over the last three decades strongly suggests that use of alcohol-containing rinses does not increase the risk of oral cancer.'

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Trader Joe's - Good source of organic, natural products


Recently I went to Trader Joe's and found some products that I thought were a great way to fight cancer by eating healthy and avoiding toxins and chemicals, or "free radicals" which promote the growth and development of cancer. Here are some of my favorites:



Finally, Bacon without Nitrates. Also free of preservatives and MSG.













Heart Healthy, Organic Cereal with Blueberries (anti-oxidants) and fiber, which helps prevent colon cancer.



















Nitrate and Nitrite free, MSG free all natural hot dogs. Avoid unnecessary toxins and free radicals.




















These tasty whole-wheat crackers make a nice addition to soups, or just an easy, healthy snack, with fiber to help prevent colon cancer.





















These all-natural
whole-grain corn chips have a nice nutty flavor and are very addictive.


















Dried Blueberries, with no preservatives or artificial chemicals, are one of the highest sources of anti-oxidants that help to fight against cancer.


















This herbal tea gives a double punch of anti-oxidants, with both green tea and blueberries.
















Here is a laundry soap we have tried which is free of phosphates and better for the environment, free of caustic chemicals.