Chewing tobacco can do your genes are going to throw

A new Indian study showed that the substances contained in spit tobacco not only cause cancer, but they also lead to genetic damage.

 The degree of genetic damage or genotoxicity increases with duration of tobacco use, according to researchers from the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Bharathiar, Coimbatore.

The results will be published in an upcoming issue of the scientific journal of toxicology and occupational health. The study was conducted in 85 men and women addicted to chewing tobacco in rural areas of Salem district. An equal number of tobacco-free is the healthy subjects in the study. A number of studies indicate a close relationship with the cancer risk of smokeless tobacco. It is a major risk factor for oral cancer and cancers of other organs such as lung, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, colon and cervical cancer.

Chewing tobacco contains some 3,000 chemicals, including alkaloids, phytosterols, and alcohols, phenolic compounds, in addition, a wide range of toxic metals such as arsenic, nickel and cadmium. Tobacco, which was limited mainly in rural areas, and tobacco, has now spread to the cities, as well as packaged tobacco products like gutka and khaini advertised on television.

Dr. K. Sasikala, who led the research team, said the long-term use of chewing tobacco affect the p53 gene is known to play a key role in cell growth and death. “If this gene, which is to keep the cells under the control of unwanted, damaged, that is uncontrolled cell growth that leads to tumor development,” she said.

But she added that further research should be done to see how the genotoxicity due to chewing tobacco can lead to defective genes get passed on to offspring.

“If the genetic structure of cells involved in reproduction influences, the defects will be handed over to the next generation. But we still have to prove it.”

“Smokeless tobacco in many forms and is cheaper. That is why it is widely used among both literate and illiterate people,” one researcher said.

“Most people in our field study did not know about the health risks due to tobacco use.”

R. Chandirasekar, one of the study’s authors said: “As a result of our research has shown that tobacco users can see the different levels of increased chromosomal damage and the extent of genetic damage depended on the duration of tobacco use.”

This study, according to him, it may be useful in raising awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco products among smokers