Aflatoxin: A mycotoxin that causes several types of cancer.
Aflatoxin: A mycotoxin that causes several types of cancer.
1. What is aflatoxin?
Aflatoxin is a toxic substance produced by fungi from the family Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which can grow on foods with high moisture content such as peanuts, soybeans, dried chilies, chili powder, grains, and dry food, especially in hot-humid climates.
2. Aflatoxin and carcinogenicity
Aflatoxin is a human carcinogen classified as Group 1 (definitely carcinogenic to humans) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
When entering the body This substance is metabolized by liver enzymes and converted into a DNA-damaging substance (Aflatoxin-8,9-epoxide), which causes mutations in genes involved in regulating cell growth, such as the p53 gene, which is a cancer suppressor gene.
DNA damage leads to abnormal cell division and causes cancer in various organs.
3. Aflatoxin-related cancers
3.1 Liver cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma, HCC)
It is the cancer most commonly associated with aflatoxin.
The risk increases significantly if the patient is infected with hepatitis B (HBV) or C (HCV).
It is caused by DNA damage in the liver and stimulates abnormal cell growth.
3.2 Kidney cancer
The kidneys are organs that filter waste from the bloodstream. Therefore, aflatoxins metabolized in the liver are transported to the kidneys and accumulate to cause damage.
Studies have shown that aflatoxin can cause mutations in kidney cells. which is at risk for kidney cancer
3.3 Lung cancer
Inhaling dust from food or grains contaminated with mold can cause aflatoxin to enter the lungs. It has been reported that people working in the food processing industry or agriculture who are exposed to dust from mold-contaminated grain have higher rates of lung cancer.
3.4 Stomach and intestinal cancer Aflatoxin consumed through food damages the lining of the intestines and stomach, causing mutations in cells in the digestive tract.
3.5 Breast cancer
Research has shown that exposure to aflatoxin increases the risk of breast cancer. Aflatoxin disrupts the hormonal system involved in breast cell development.
Aflatoxin has been detected in breast tissue of breast cancer patients. This indicates a role for this toxin in promoting cancer.
4. Prevention of aflatoxin exposure
1. Keep food dry and clean – Avoid storing peanuts, spices, or grains in damp places.
2. Select safe food sources – Buy from sources that have passed quality inspections.
3. Mold on food – Food with mold should not be consumed. or unusual color and smell
4. Consume foods that reduce the effects of aflatoxins – such as resveratrol, which is extracted from plants.
5. Summary
Aflatoxin is not the only cause of liver cancer. But there is also evidence that it is linked to cancer in other organs, such as the kidney, lung, stomach, intestines and breast. Therefore, reducing your dietary exposure to this toxin is an important way to reduce your risk of many types of cancer.