Seven or more eggs a week raises risk of death

Men who ate seven or more eggs a week had a higher risk of earlier death, according to a 20-year study involving 21,327 men, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. And for men with diabetes, eating any eggs at all raised their risk of death. The study adds to an ever-growing body of evidence questioning how safe eggs are to eat. Eggs are rich in cholesterol that can clog arteries and raise the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• From Yahoo New, April 9, 2008. For alternatives, see vegan egg substitutes.

Three strips of bacon a day raises your cancer risk by 20 per cent

Processed meat can significantly raise the risk of bowel cancer, one of the deadliest forms of the disease, experts have warned. Research shows that eating the equivalent of one sausage or three pieces of bacon a day - raises the likelihood of bowel cancer by a fifth. The sobering statistic adds to growing evidence that too much meat in the diet can be deadly. Professor Martin Wiseman, the World Cancer Research Fund's medical and scientific adviser, said: "We are more sure now than ever before that eating processed meat increases your risk of bowel cancer... The evidence is that whether you are talking about bacon, ham or pastrami, the safest amount to eat is none at all." The analysis, published last November, also found that red meat raises the risk of the disease, but to a lesser extent. Meat can be high in fat and iron, both of which are linked to cancer, and processing raises levels of cancer-causing chemicals called N-nitroso compounds. Processed meats may also trigger cancer in the prostate, lung, stomach and oesophagus.
• From Daily Mail, UK - March 31, 2008

Bird flu virus has mutated into form that's deadly to humans

The avian flu has undergone a critical mutation making it easier for the virus to infect humans, according to a study at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. "We are rolling the dice with modern poultry farming practices," warns consumer health advocate Mike Adams, author of the book How to Beat the Bird Flu. "By raising chickens in enclosed spaces, treating them with antibiotics, and denying them access to fresh air, clean water and natural sunlight, we are creating optimal conditions for the breeding of highly infectious diseases that can quickly mutate into human pandemics."
• From Natural News - March 6, 2008

Adapted from the April edition of VegE-News' monthly news and events email service. It is free to subscribe. Their April issue's stories also include:

• Gluten-free vegan diet could protect arthritics' hearts.
• Study suggests soy stops prostate cancer spread.

Lifestyles and Trends
• While the number of vegans is estimated at about 1.4 per cent of the U.S. population and 2.3 per cent are defined as strictly vegetarian, 30 per cent to 40 per cent of the population falls into a category referred to as "flexitarians," those who mostly eat vegetarian but make occasional allowances for meat.

Animal Issues
• More companies discontinuing farm animal confinement.
• Love in the octopus' garden.
• Animal rights group sues egg producer.

Books
• In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."
• Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food.
• Stuffed and Starved: Markets, Power and the Battle for the World's Food System. Author, Raj Patel paints a scary and accurate picture of the food industry.