foodconsumer.org - Dietary fiber cuts colorectal cancer risk - new study

By David Liu, PHD

sunday July 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- Colorectal cancer is common and deadly, but the disease can be prevented easily in most cases. ? A new study published in the June 22, 2012 issue of PLoS One suggests that eating lots of fiber-rich foods can decrease the risk of colorectal cancer drastically.

The study led by N. Murphy of ?School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom and colleagues showed intake of an additional 10 grams of total dietary fiber per day was associated with a 13 percent reduced risk of colorectal cancer.

An early analysis of data from the same EPIC study showed that dietary fiber intake was inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk. ?But some other large cohort studies do not support the results. ?The current study considered data collected from the study during a longer follow-up. During an average follow-up of 11 years, 4,517 incident cases of colorectal cancer were identified. Fiber intake was estimated at baseline.

Total fiber intake was also found inversely associated with colon cancer and rectal cancer. ?Colorctal cancer refers to a combination of both so the findings are reasonable.

The associations were not affected by factors including age, sex, or anthropometric, lifestyle, and dietary variables did not affect the associations, the researchers reported.?

With regard to the fiber source, fibers from cereals, and fruit and vegetables all had the same inverse association with colon cancer. ?But only fiber from cereals or grains not that from fruit and vegetables was linked to reduced risk of rectal cancer.

An estimated 103,170 cases of colon cancer and 40,290 cases of rectal cancer are expected in 2012 in the United States and colorectal cancer may kill 61,690 in the same year in the country, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Another European study published in the May 23, 2012 issue of European Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests eating dietary fiber regardless of its source may help reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) significantly.

Fiber rich foods are the best source. ? But if you are too busy to find any such foods to eat, take fiber supplements.

Source: http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Nutrition/Phytochemicals/dietary_fiber_colorectal_cancer_0722120944.html

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