(20-02-13) Processed snack foods increase colon cancer risk, especially in genetically susceptible individuals

by John Phillip

(NaturalNews) Colon cancer continues to be a leading cause of cancer deaths,
as the number of newly diagnosed cases continue to grow concurrent with the
rate of overweight, obesity and processed food consumption. This may come as no
surprise to natural health followers who understand that fried and hydrogenated
foods alter cell structure and metabolism and refined carbohydrates and sugars
boost insulin and blood glucose levels as they provide fuel for cancer cell
growth and propagation.

Dutch researchers have published the results of their work in the journal,
Cancer that explains how eating unhealthy snack foods may increase the risk of
colorectal cancer in people with a genetic susceptibility to certain types of
cancer. Although this study focused on patients with a condition known as Lynch
syndrome, an inherited syndrome caused by mutations in DNA mismatch repair
genes and characterized by development of colorectal cancer, and other cancers
at an early age, the results are relevant to all individuals that consume a
diet of processed snack foods.

High snack food diets can double the risk of developing colorectal cancer
Past studies have shown that excess alcohol consumption and red and processed
meats can increase the risk of cancer in people, especially those diagnosed
with Lynch syndrome. Smoking and obesity have been identified as other possible
risk factors. To prepare the study, scientists developed a cohort of 486 people
with Lynch syndrome. The participants in this study provided information about
their eating habits and were followed for an average of 20 months. Diets were
evaluated based on a questionnaire including 183 food items and then plotted on
a multi-point scale rated as 'prudent' or 'snack-based.'

Over the course of the study, 58 participants developed precancerous
colorectal polyps. Lead study author Dr. Akke Botma commented "We saw that
Lynch syndrome patients who had an eating pattern with higher intakes of snack
foods, like fast-food snacks, chips or fried snacks, were twice as likely to
develop these polyps as Lynch syndrome patients having a pattern with lower
intakes of snack foods." Those whose diet was considered 'prudent,' featuring a
high percentage of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and fish, tended to have
modest, though non-significant, decrease in risk.

Dr. Botma concluded "Although more research is needed to estimate the exact
influence of dietary patterns on colorectal carcinogenesis, modifiable factors,
such as diet, could influence development of colorectal neoplasms." Colon
cancer is a disease borne largely from eating a diet of synthesized and
processed foods created in a manufacturing facility. Eliminating or drastically
limiting convenience fare in favor of foods in their natural form can provide a
significant shield against colorectal cancer and most chronic illnesses.

Sources for this article include:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.27726/abstract
http://health.usnews.com
http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/ColonCancer/36484

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