蘆筍會致癌?

Thanks to the a recent study into mice and the impact a chemical compound called asparagine people have been frantically searching for answers as to whether they should give up asparagus. The study in the journal Nature suggested the compound, found in asparagus, may help develop breast cancer in the body.

由於最近一項研究調查了老鼠以及一種稱爲天冬醯胺的化合物的影響，因此人們開始瘋狂地尋找答案：是否該放棄蘆筍？《自然》雜誌刊出的這項研究表明，蘆筍中發現的這一化合物或導致人們患乳腺癌。

Of course, searches for whether asparagus causes cancer and asparagus breast cancer have risen as a result. The truth is a little more complicated, however.

當然，關於蘆筍導致癌症和蘆筍乳腺癌的研究也因此增多。然而，真相卻有點兒複雜。

What was the study?

這項研究講了什麼？

For one, the research was done using mice - not humans, at least not yet. While results can be an indicator as to what could happen in humans, scientists know that animals don't always follow the same pattern as humans when it comes to diseases.

首先，研究是用小鼠--而非人類完成的，至少目前還沒有。雖然結果可以作爲人類可能會發生何種情況的一種指標，但科學家們知道在疾病方面，動物並不總是遵循與人類相同的模式。

Second, asparagine wasn't found to cause cancer - even with the mice. The compound made it spread more quickly, but it didn't cause it.

其次，研究未發現天冬醯胺能導致癌症--甚至沒有使小鼠致癌。這一化合物使癌細胞擴散更快，但並沒有導致癌症。

Should I give up asparagus?

是不是不能再吃蘆筍了？

More research is needed into the effect of asparagine. If further research shows the same impact on humans then maybe (and that's a big maybe) it could lead to some new ways to treat breast cancer.

需要更多的研究來了解蘆筍的作用。如果進一步的研究表明蘆筍對人類有着相同的影響，那也許（可能性很大），蘆筍會帶來一些新的治療乳腺癌的方法。

It could show ways to block production of asparagine in the body, or patients could limit it in their diet.

它可以指明阻止體內分泌天冬醯胺的方法，或者限制病人從飲食中獲得天冬醯胺的量。

Where is asparagine found?

天冬醯胺是在哪裏發現的？

The chemical compound is in a few things, and it's naturally in the body. It's in asparagus, but it's also in other foods we eat. Protein-rich foods like beef, poultry, eggs, fish, dairy and some seafood are all included.

好幾種食物都含有這一化合物，人體本身也有。蘆筍以及其它食物中也都含有這一化合物。包括富含蛋白質的食物，比如牛肉、家禽、雞蛋、魚、乳製品和一些海鮮。

It's also in potatoes, nuts, legumes, seeds, soy and whole grains. Levels of asparagine are low in fruit and vegetables - except asparagus.

土豆、堅果、豆類、種子、大豆和全穀物中也含有這一化合物。水果和蔬菜含有的天冬醯胺量都很少--除了蘆筍。

Should I change my diet?

該不該改變飲食呢？

No, at least not yet.

不用，至少目前還不用。

"At the moment, there is no evidence that restricting certain foods can help fight cancer, so it's important for patients to speak to their doctor before making any changes to their diet while having treatment," Cancer Research UK's head nurse Martin Ledwick said in a statement.

"目前，沒有證據表明限制某些食物能幫助抵抗癌症，所以對於接受治療的患者而言，在改變飲食之前和醫生聊一聊是很重要的，"英國癌症研究中心的護士長馬丁·萊得威克在一份聲明中說道。

So for now, don't change your diet purely based on the results of this study.

所以現在，不要只是依據這項研究的結果而改變自己的飲食。