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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.
由于最近一项研究调查了老鼠以及一种称为天冬酰胺的化合物的影响，因此人们开始疯狂地寻找答案：是否该放弃芦笋？《自然》杂志刊出的这项研究表明，芦笋中发现的这一化合物或导致人们患乳腺癌。
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.
当然，关于芦笋导致癌症和芦笋乳腺癌的研究也因此增多。然而，真相却有点儿复杂。
What was the study?
这项研究讲了什么？
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--而非人类完成的，至少目前还没有。虽然结果可以作为人类可能会发生何种情况的一种指标，但科学家们知道在疾病方面，动物并不总是遵循与人类相同的模式。
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，研究未发现天冬酰胺能导致癌症--甚至没有使小鼠致癌。这一化合物使癌细胞扩散更快，但并没有导致癌症。
Should I give up asparagus?
是不是不能再吃芦笋了？
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.
需要更多的研究来了解芦笋的作用。如果进一步的研究表明芦笋对人类有着相同的影响，那也许（可能性很大），芦笋会带来一些新的治疗乳腺癌的方法。
It could show ways to block production of asparagine in the body, or patients could limit it in their diet.
它可以指明阻止体内分泌天冬酰胺的方法，或者限制病人从饮食中获得天冬酰胺的量。
Where is asparagine found?
天冬酰胺是在哪里发现的？
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.
好几种食物都含有这一化合物，人体本身也有。芦笋以及其它食物中也都含有这一化合物。包括富含蛋白质的食物，比如牛肉、家禽、鸡蛋、鱼、乳制品和一些海鲜。
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、坚果、豆类、种子、大豆和全谷物中也含有这一化合物。水果和蔬菜含有的天冬酰胺量都很少--除了芦笋。
Should I change my diet?
该不该改变饮食呢？
No, at least not yet.
不用，至少目前还不用。
"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，没有证据表明限制某些食物能帮助抵抗癌症，所以对于接受治疗的患者而言，在改变饮食之前和医生聊一聊是很重要的，"英国癌症研究中心的护士长马丁·莱得威克在一份声明中说道。
So for now, don't change your diet purely based on the results of this study.
所以现在，不要只是依据这项研究的结果而改变自己的饮食。
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