Houttuynia cordata contains 'aristolochic acid', is it nephrotoxic or carcinogenic? These 4 kinds of vegetables may damage the kidney and cause cancer

"Don't eat Houttuynia cordata, it's poisonous and carcinogenic!"

"Houttuynia cordata contains aristolochic acid, which is a carcinogen."

Houttuynia cordata is a kind of wild vegetable with a special taste. People who like it can't stop it, and people who don't like it detour it. So why does aristolochic acid cause cancer? Is Houttuynia cordata really not edible?

1. Has the relationship between aristolochic acid and liver cancer been confirmed?

There is always a constant link between aristolochic acid and cancer. To discuss this "mysterious relationship", we must start in 2001.

In 2001, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to consumers not to take plant products containing aristolochic acid.

In 2008, aristolochic acid was listed as a class of carcinogens, which clarified that aristolochic acid is carcinogenic to humans, and the same class of carcinogens as aristolochic acid also includes: cigarettes, betel nut, alcohol, etc...

In 2013, two studies in Science Translational Medicine agreed that aristolochic acid was associated with a specific genetic mutation in cancer cells.

In 2017, a study in "Science Translational Medicine" involved 1,400 liver cancer patients and counted the proportion of aristolochic acid-related gene mutations. It was found that 47% of mainland China carried aristolochic acid-related gene mutations, while Taiwan accounted for 78%. This may be related to the fact that Taiwanese like to use Chinese herbal medicine to maintain health, while the proportion in Europe and the United States is less than 5%.

However, the above-mentioned items only indicate that aristolochic acid is related to liver cancer, but it cannot be said that aristolochic acid is a carcinogenic factor of liver cancer.

Until 2019, Shanghai Jiaotong University solved the secret between the two.

The researchers conducted experiments with mice. By injecting the experimental mice with aristolochic acid, they found that the mice suffered from liver cancer, and the greater the dose of aristolochic acid injected, the greater the risk of cancer.

The researchers also counted the exposure of domestic liver cancer patients to aristolochic acid. Among 62 random liver cancer patients, more than 1/4 of the patients had been exposed to aristolochic acid. And unlike mice, aristolochic acid can cause several different genetic mutations in humans, including well-known oncogenes such as TP53.

To sum up, aristolochic acid can cause liver cancer and is highly carcinogenic. The more intake, the greater the risk.

2. Houttuynia cordata contains aristolochic acid, is it toxic or carcinogenic?

Why are many people in China exposed to aristolochic acid?

Aristolochic acid is the most common in Chinese herbal medicine, which is also the main way Chinese people come into contact with aristolochic acid. For example, common Chinese patent medicines such as Fengshizhitong pills contain aristolochic acid. Many Chinese herbal medicines also contain aristolochic acid, such as cinnabar lotus, Dabaijie, Tianxianteng, Duheng, Asarum and so on. It was only in 2004 that China banned Guanmutong, Qingmuxiang and Guangfang from being used as medicines.

Houttuynia cordata, also known as Zheergen, is very common for medicinal and edible purposes. It is rumored that Houttuynia cordata contains aristolochic acid, which is nephrotoxic and carcinogenic. Is it true?

There are many derivatives of aristolochic acid, aristolochic acid contained in Houttuynia cordata is a metabolic derivative.

However, according to research, it is Aristololactam I that is harmful to the kidneys, while Houttuynia cordata contains Aristololactams AII, BII and FII, these two Aristololactams, and Aristolochic acid amine I don't care at all. In the current study, no Aristolochia lactam I was found in Houttuynia cordata.

As for whether aristololactam II has nephrotoxicity, there is no relevant research to confirm it. Ding Chao's team from Zhejiang Cancer Hospital has conducted relevant research on the effect of Houttuynia cordata on kidney disease in people from various regions of China. Through the investigation and study of 3561 people, the results were obtained: there is no difference in the prevalence of kidney disease between different usage habits of Houttuynia cordata. Simply put, there is no increase in the incidence of kidney disease due to consumption of Houttuynia cordata.

Therefore, everyone can still eat folded ears with peace of mind.

3. Be careful to eat these 4 kinds of vegetables, or damage the kidney and cause cancer

In the consciousness of many people, vegetables are definitely healthier than eating meat. But in fact, many vegetables, if eaten incorrectly, are likely to damage internal organs and increase the risk of cancer.

1. Bracken

Many northern friends must be no strangers to bracken, and a cold bracken is basically a must for dinner. However, bracken was classified as a Group 2B carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2011. Bracken contains a substance called Proteroside, which has carcinogenic properties.

But this does not mean that eating bracken will cause cancer. Dr. Yan Yuehong, head of the fern diversity research group of Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, said that the 2B carcinogen means that the evidence of carcinogenicity found in animal experiments is not sufficient. There is limited evidence of carcinogenicity. In addition, protoferrin is thermally unstable. If it is boiled for many times, the toxic substances are easily destroyed, and the carcinogenic risk of bracken after correct treatment is not great. But be careful

2, red phoenix

The name of Feng Cai is different in each place. In some places, it is called blood-skinned vegetable, and in others, it is called purple-backed Tiankui vegetable, blood-tonifying vegetable, red-backed vegetable, Guanyin vegetable and so on.

Red phoenix is ​​not as healthy as we think, and there is evidence that red phoenix contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are liver toxic. Long-term consumption may cause damage to the liver. So this kind of food, if you can eat it, try not to touch it.

3. Fresh day lily

Day lily is sweet and refreshing, and it is also one of the vegetables that many people like to eat. But fresh daylily contains highly toxic colchicine, especially in the stamens. If ingested by mistake, mild nausea, diarrhea and vomiting may occur, and severe cases may cause muscle weakness and even death.

Therefore, be careful to eat fresh day lily, be sure to pull out the stamens, soak them in salt water for a while, and finally blanch them in water.

4. Raw bean horn

Although very few families usually eat raw beans, if you don't master the cooking temperature and the beans are undercooked, you should be careful. Raw beans contain saponins, which are plant lectins. Once ingested, it may cause symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, when you cook the beans, you must thoroughly cook them until they are soft and cooked.

It is prudent to conclude that Houttuynia cordata is carcinogenic, but for safety and health, it is also necessary to cook correctly when eating. There are also some wild vegetables, if you don't know how to cook, you should try not to try them, so as not to eat your body and ruin your body.

References:

[1] "Real Hammer! Aristolochic acid causes liver cancer, can Chinese herbal medicine and Houttuynia cordata still be eaten? 》.Pineapple Factor.2019-07-27

[2] "Study on whether a certain ingredient of Lianhua Qingwen is useful, simple and rude! 》. Health Post. 2020-05-20

[3] "After eating a vegetable, a 4-year-old boy was sent to the hospital for rescue! Be careful when you eat these 5 kinds of vegetables, damage to the liver and kidney is more carcinogenic". DrX said. 2022-01-05

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