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Designer foods: effects on development of cancer
1Department of Food Microbiology and Toxicology, University of Wisconsin--Madison 53706.
Abstract:
There are numerous anticarcinogens in the diet. An important question is how to use such substances in an effective, directed way to reduce cancer risk in humans. The "designer foods" concept is one approach for accomplishing this goal. Foods would be engineered to contain effective levels of anticarcinogens. This idea will work only to the extent that there is sufficient scientific knowledge on which to base such food design. Obviously, it is not sufficient simply to extrapolate from animal data to humans. A hypothetical example of the possible "designer fat substitute" is presented and discussed.
Insights
Discovering how to effectively use dietary anticarcinogens to lower human cancer risk is key. The "designer foods" concept proposes engineering foods with beneficial anticarcinogen levels, but requires robust scientific data for human application.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Cancer Prevention
- Food Engineering
Background:
- Dietary anticarcinogens offer potential for cancer risk reduction.
- Effective utilization of these compounds requires a directed approach.
- The
- designer foods
- concept aims to engineer foods with specific anticarcinogen levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the feasibility of the
- designer foods
- concept for cancer prevention.
- To highlight the necessity of sufficient scientific knowledge for successful food design.
- To discuss the limitations of extrapolating animal data to human cancer risk.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of dietary anticarcinogens and cancer risk reduction.
- Exploration of the
- designer foods
- strategy.
- Presentation and discussion of a hypothetical
- designer fat substitute
- example.
Main Results:
- The
- designer foods
- concept is viable only with adequate scientific understanding.
- Direct extrapolation from animal studies to human cancer prevention is insufficient.
- A hypothetical
- designer fat substitute
- illustrates the concept's potential and challenges.
Conclusions:
- Engineering foods with anticarcinogens requires a strong scientific foundation.
- Human-specific data is crucial for designing effective cancer-preventive foods.
- The
- designer foods
- approach, exemplified by a fat substitute, shows promise but needs further research.