Avoiding Red Meat Significantly Lowers Risk of Colon Cancer

The association between eating red meat and colon cancer just got  stronger. Research from Britain suggests that eating a diet free of  beef, pork and lamb significantly lowers the risk of cancer in the  descending colon, the part of the intestines where feces are stored.

Prior research indicates eating lots of red meat and processed meat  is tied to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. However, the authors  of the current study said little is known about how dietary patterns  are linked to the development of cancer in specific areas of the bowel. 

Scientists at the University of Leeds were part of an international  team that evaluated whether red meat, fish, poultry or vegetarian diets  are associated with colon and rectal cancer. They used data from the  United Kingdom Women’s Cohort Study, which included 32,147 women from  Scotland, Wales and England. The participants were recruited between  1995 and 1998 and were followed an average of 17 years.

Red Meat Diet Tied to Highest Risk, Vegetarian Diet Tied to Lowest Risk

The  researchers examined the women’s dietary habits and looked at their  documented cases of colon cancer to ascertain correlations. Data showed  335 cases of colon cancer, 119 of which were in the descending colon.  The team discovered that those who ate red meat regularly had higher  rates of cancer in this part of the colon compared to those on other  diets. Vegetarians had the lowest risk of the cancer.

Interestingly,  eating whole grains and drinking milk may also be associated with a  decreased risk of colorectal cancer. The fiber and calcium content of  these foods have been linked to a reduced risk of the malignancy in  earlier studies, the research team noted. 

 “The impact of different types of red meat and dietary patterns on  cancer locations is one of the biggest challenges in the study of diet  and colorectal cancer,” said lead author Dr. Diego Rada Fernandez de  Jauregui, part of the Nutritional Epidemiology Group (NEG) at Leeds, and  the University of the Basque Country in Spain.

“Our research is  one of the few studies looking at this relationship and while further  analysis in a larger study is needed, it could provide valuable  information for those with family history of colorectal cancer and those  working on prevention.”

The study was published in the International Journal for Cancer. 

 

Limit Red Meat Consumption

According to the World Cancer  Research Fund International, the body of evidence linking red and  processed meat to bowel cancer is strong. For this reason, they  recommend limiting red meat consumption, as well as eating little, if  any, processed meat like ham and bacon.Different strategies can be used to make these dietary changes. Below are a few ideas:

• In  America, we view meat as the main course and vegetables as the side  dishes. It’s healthier to consider vegetables as the main course and  meat as a side dish: in this way, the portion of meat consumed is  smaller.
• Ground turkey may be substituted for many ground beef recipes.
• Get inspiration by looking at recipes from India, a country well known for tasty vegetarian dishes.
• Experiment  with using beans and grains for main dishes. For example, instead of  eating a burger made of beef, try one made from black beans that is  seasoned with onions, garlic and savory spices. Some of these  substitutions are absolutely delicious.

By Mary West

http://www.liveinthenow.com/article/avoiding-red-meat-significantly-lowers-risk-of-colon-cancer