Grilled Chicken Contains Cancer-Causing Agent

Grilled chicken from seven national restaurantPhIP and other HCAs are more toxic than
chains contains a dangerous carcinogen called PhIP,commonly known carcinogens such as
prompting the Physicians Committee forbenzo-(a)-pyrene. Studies have already found that
Responsible Medicine (PCRM) to file a lawsuitamong others, intake of PhIP and other HCAs
against the restaurants, the PCRM announcedmay increase risk of colon, breast and prostate
September 28.cancer in humans, three most common cancers in
The lawsuit was filed under California's Propositionthe United States which are commonly associated
65 in The Superior Court of the State ofwith meat consumption.
California for the County of Los Angeles toTo reduce HCAs in cooked meat, meat should be
compel McDonald's, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Chili's,prepared under 392 F or 200 C. Direct heat
Applebee's, Outback Steakhouse, and TGI Friday'sshould not be used to cook meat. Consumers
to warn unsuspecting consumers of themay also use some spices to inhibit the formation
carcinogen. PhIP was found in every sample ofof toxic forms of PhIP in the body. Garlic is one
grilled chicken from these restraurants.of known spices that counteract the
"Grilled chicken can cause cancer, and consumerscancer-causing effect of PhIP.
deserve to know that this supposedly healthyIn a study presented at the annual meeting of
product is actually just as bad for them asAmerican Association of Cancer Research held on
high-fat fried chicken," says PCRM president NealOct 31, 2005, Ronald D. Thomas, Ph.D. at Florida
Barnard, M.D. "Even a grilled chicken saladA&M University in Tallahassee and colleagues
increases the risk of breast cancer, prostatereported that garlic compound diallyl sulfide (DAS)
cancer, and other forms of this lethal disease."antagonizes PhIP-induced alterations in the
2-amino-1methyk-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridineexpression of phase I and phase II metabolizing
(PhIP), along with three other heterocyclic aminesenzymes in human breast epithelial cells.
(HCAs), known as 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]"We treated human breast epithelial cells with
quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]equal amounts of PhIP and DAS separately, and
quinoline (MeIQ), andthe two together, for periods ranging from three
2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoxalineto 24 hours," said Thomas. "PhIP induced
(MeIQx) are listed by the National Toxicologyexpression of the cancer-causing enzyme at
Program in the Report on Carcinogen asevery stage, up to 40-fold, while DAS completely
reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.inhibited the PhIP enzyme from becoming
Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) including PhIP arecarcinogenic."
formed by condensation of creatinine and aminoAnother way consumers may try to prevent
acids in animal muscle during the cooking of meat.PhIP-induced cancers is to avoid consumption of
A high level of the cancer-causing agents can bemeat. Dr. T. Colin Campbell, a retired nutrition
formed in a cooking process at high temperatureprofessor from Cornell University said in his book
for a long time."China Study" that consumption of animal protein
HCAs are readily absorbed and distributed in theis linked with elevated activities of enzymes that
body. They are metabolized by both phase I andconvert many non-toxic chemicals such as
phase II enzymes and become toxic forms,aflatoxin into cancer-causing agents. Dr. Campbell
arylnitrenium ions, which ultimately bind to DNA,and others have found meat consumption is linked
leading to HCA-induced DNA adducts.with increased risk of many cancers.