3 ms·

I believe they did have proof that some Asians don't have the gene which helps break down alcohol, and those that had that gene were at a higher risk of cancer

I believe they did have proof that some Asians don't have the gene which helps break down alcohol, and those that had that gene were at a higher risk of cancer if they drank alcohol. No, I guess it isn't definitive proof though. Still, Russia is on the Asian continent, so this theory holds water.

continuations 13y ago
It's not just for Asians. Alcohol is a known cause of cancer for humans. From the American Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/dietandphysicalactivity/alcohol-use-and-cancer http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/dietandphysicalact...): "Alcohol is a known cause of cancers of the: Mouth Throat (pharynx) Voice box (larynx) Esophagus Liver Colon and rectum Breast"
- ekianjo 13y ago
  I would take whatever is written by the American Cancer Society with a grain of salt. They have also a political agenda, since they recommend "children and teens" not to consume alcohol at all, even though there is no study or data to support that claim. In most countries around the world, teens and even children drink alcohol early in their lives without notable health effect on the long run as long as their consumption remains reasonable. Besides, their claim on "There are many ways of reducing heart disease risk, including avoiding smoking, eating a diet low in saturated and trans fats, staying at a healthy weight, staying physically active, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol." is only partially true and just reflects the current thinking of specialists. The evidence on LDL/HDL levels is not very compelling and there was a post very recently on HN from a surgeon claiming heart disease was rather linked to tissue inflammation than cholesterol.
  - continuations 13y ago
    > there was a post very recently on HN from a surgeon claiming heart disease was rather linked to tissue inflammation than cholesterol I believe the "surgeon" you referred to is Dwight Lundell. His claim is just that, a claim. Suffice to note that he has his medical license revoked because of "unprofessional conduct": http://www.casewatch.org/board/med/lundell/order_2008.pdf http://www.casewatch.org/board/med/lundell/order_2008.pdf > reflects the current thinking of specialists That means their recommendation reflects the current medical consensus. Of course American Cancer Society is going to make their recommendations based on current medical consensus instead of some wild claim made by someone who has his medical license revoked. To do anything else would be irresponsible.

continuations 13y ago

It's not just for Asians. Alcohol is a known cause of cancer for humans. From the American Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/dietandphysicalactivity/alcohol-use-and-cancer http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/dietandphysicalact...): "Alcohol is a known cause of cancers of the: Mouth Throat (pharynx) Voice box (larynx) Esophagus Liver Colon and rectum Breast"

ekianjo 13y ago
I would take whatever is written by the American Cancer Society with a grain of salt. They have also a political agenda, since they recommend "children and teens" not to consume alcohol at all, even though there is no study or data to support that claim. In most countries around the world, teens and even children drink alcohol early in their lives without notable health effect on the long run as long as their consumption remains reasonable. Besides, their claim on "There are many ways of reducing heart disease risk, including avoiding smoking, eating a diet low in saturated and trans fats, staying at a healthy weight, staying physically active, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol." is only partially true and just reflects the current thinking of specialists. The evidence on LDL/HDL levels is not very compelling and there was a post very recently on HN from a surgeon claiming heart disease was rather linked to tissue inflammation than cholesterol.
- continuations 13y ago
  > there was a post very recently on HN from a surgeon claiming heart disease was rather linked to tissue inflammation than cholesterol I believe the "surgeon" you referred to is Dwight Lundell. His claim is just that, a claim. Suffice to note that he has his medical license revoked because of "unprofessional conduct": http://www.casewatch.org/board/med/lundell/order_2008.pdf http://www.casewatch.org/board/med/lundell/order_2008.pdf > reflects the current thinking of specialists That means their recommendation reflects the current medical consensus. Of course American Cancer Society is going to make their recommendations based on current medical consensus instead of some wild claim made by someone who has his medical license revoked. To do anything else would be irresponsible.