Cookout caution

Natural Health, May, 2005

> As barbecue season kicks off this Memorial Day, go easy on charred-to-a-crisp backyard burgers. The National Toxicology Program recently added MelQ, MelQx, and PhlP--compounds formed when meats and eggs are grilled at high temperatures--to its list of carcinogens. Animal studies show that these BBQ byproducts may cause cancer of the colon, liver, oral cavity, and skin, while several human studies link broiled or fried foods to increased risk of breast and colorectal cancers.