(06-12-11) High fiber diet significantly lowers colorectal cancer risk (Opinion)

by John Phillip


(NaturalNews) Researchers from Britain and The Netherlands provide conclusive
evidence that a high fiber diet can have a dramatic effect on colon cancer
incidence. Reporting in the British Medical Journal, scientists performing a
meta-analysis of twenty five prospective studies, including more than two
million participants, found that eating a high fiber diet, particularly cereal
and whole grains, is linked to a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. Worldwide,
colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer, with 1.2 million new cases
diagnosed annually. Health-minded individuals will want to include at least
fifty grams of fiber from vegetable and grain sources each day to minimize the
risks associated with colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-
related deaths in the United States each year.

Many recent studies have shown that eating dietary fiber and whole grains
helps to protect against cardiovascular disease, but its link to colorectal
cancer risk has been less apparent. Nutritional scientists have theorized that
increased fiber intake may lower colon cancer risk for more than a half
century, but the corroborating evidence has been scant to date.

High Fiber Diet Lowers Colorectal Cancer Risk by Twenty Percent
Researchers reviewed the results of twenty-five independent studies in an
effort to garner information to explain the health benefits of a high fiber
diet on colorectal cancer. After an exhaustive analysis of the data provided by
the large data pool, the findings demonstrated a clear gradient in risk linked
to the amount of dietary fiber intake. The study authors found cereal fiber and
whole grains (such as breads, cereals, oatmeal, brown rice and porridge) to
help prevent colorectal cancer.

They explain that each ten gram per day increase in intake of total dietary
fiber and cereal fiber was linked to a 10 percent reduction in risk of
colorectal cancer as compared to the lowest levels of fiber intake. Adding
three servings (90 grams per day) of whole grains daily lowered the risk of
colorectal cancer by 20%.

In this meta-study, researchers found no difference between fiber obtained
from fruit and vegetable consumption or from grains. Many people attempt to
restrict intake of grains in order to control blood glucose surges, as 90 grams
of fiber per day from refined or whole grains would be detrimental to their
metabolic health.

Fiber obtained from vegetable sources would be a viable source of protection
from colorectal cancer. The study team concluded "In summary, our meta-analysis
suggests that a high intake of dietary fiber, particularly from cereal and
whole grains, is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer." Make a
conscious effort to include 50 to 90 grams of fiber in your diet each day to
dramatically lower the risk of colorectal cancer.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj....
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_relea...
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/art...
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/art...

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