[CH] Toxic Everything
Calvin Donaghey (gdonaghey@bitstreet.com)
Thu, 19 Aug 1999 19:09:59 -0500
Hello Everyone.
I had to comment on this thread.
Be very careful what kind of "study results" you listen to. Studies are
often designed and reported with grant funds in mind. Without knowing
exactly how the study was performed and under what circumstances, it is
ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE to judge the reported results.
For example, a study linking chile consumption was "performed" in 1985
and 1986, and the group concluded that chile consumption was related to
stomach cancer in Mexico City. An article showed up in the newspaper
headed "Study Links Stomach Cancer to Chile Consumption". It gave
percentages and quoted some researchers and doctors. I dug into the
references and found out the "STUDY" was a mostly a poll conducted by
interview. Researchers interviewed several hundred cancer patients and
asked them if they ate hot chiles. Almost 70% of them responded in the
affirmative. VIOLA!!!!! Eating chiles may cause cancer!!! Get a
government grant to nail down the details. NO references to diet,
family history, smoking, job environment, chemical exposure, etc, etc,
etc...
BEFORE I GET FLAMED.....
I'm not claiming all studies are like this, I'm just saying that
anecdotal studies are insufficient to create hard facts. I'll start
worrying about chiles when at least 5 double-blind studies show a
definitive relationship between capsaicin consumption (at or near my
levels) and physiological, permanent damage or health-threatening
disease. Such a definitive relationship was clearly demonstrated in the
'60s (and before) between smoking and health.
I agree that a really strong dose of Cap may not be the right treatment
for someone with a bad heart or other ailments, HOWEVER, with the
increase in chile eating in the US right now, I think some researchers
are jumping on the bandwagon to cash in on some of those government
grants while the gettin' is good. If a study or results concern you,
take the time to dig up the details.
REMEMBER:
Studies have shown that human saliva causes cancer in laboratory test
subjects, but only when ingested in small doses over long periods of
time.
I hereby drag my soap box away from my terminal to have it tested for
carcinogens. I will post the results of my study if anyone is
interested.
Calvin