> << Excerpt:
>
> "Individuals who enjoy diets rich in meat, cheese and whole milk may be
>
> at increased risk of developing cancer of the esophagus and the
>
> stomach.The rates of two types of cancer--gastric cardia and
>
> adenocarcinoma of the esophagus--have risen rapidly over the past 30
>
> years. >>
>

I was visiting with a scientist David Gilchrist at UC Davis recently
discussing molds in plants. Most molds (including betritus which is probably
the most common mold found on vegetables post-harvest) and most viruses that
feed on plants including vegetables and grains produce mycotoxins such as
fumonosins and aflatoxins.

These substances are present, this scientist says, in most fungus found on
food. Corn in particular is always contaminated, he said. Fumonosins are
linked to esophageal cancer in humans. Mycotoxins are among the most potent
and powerful carcinogens and are present in particular in stored grains
(especially if they are not stored very dry) and things like peanuts.

There is evidence that ingested mycotoxins affect animals. I wonder if the
animals concentrate mycotoxins in any way in their meat.

--Richard