Colon Cancer

Folate is the latest news on colon cancer prevention. On study showed that long term multivitamin users had the greatest benefit. Folate is found in leafy green vegetables, legumes, orange juice and fortified cereals. The RDA is 400mcg/day.

Calcium- Dairy foods seem to be the key, calcium is the most obvious. But research shows that those consuming dairy products have better outcomes than those taking calcium supplements indicating that there maybe something else. If you don?t eat dairy, 1200-1500mg/day of calcium seems to offer some protection.

Eat at least 10 servings of produce every day; try to get one of each color. No one is sure which ones offer the most protection so eat a mix: green and raw especially: broccoli, brussel sprouts (cabbage family) rich in vitamins, carotenoids including tomatoes (lycopene) and other substance linked to cancer prevention. Green tea is a natural anti-cancer supplement.

Fiber- Choose whole grains brown rice, oats, whole-wheat cereals and bread. Fiber speeds the passage of food through the intestinal tract. It also dilutes carcinogens. Fiber provides fuel for ?friendly bacteria? which promote anti-cancer compounds. Get it from any source you can. Legumes, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Eat less: sugar- it may promote disease 2 ways- slows digestion and crowds out more nourishing foods. Grilled, fried, barbecued meat. The process can develop heterocyclic amines (carcinogens). To guard against this process use barbecue sauces and don?t let meat char, Eat poultry and fish most of the time.

Red meat- in one study people who ate red meat 5 times a week or more had a higher incidence of colon cancer. Formerly thought to be the fat in red meat, now research indicates sulfur released during digestion may be the culprit. Others think that red meat is not digested as completely as other foods leading to more potentially carcinogenic byproducts landing in the colon.

Stop at one drink/day. Heavy drinking promotes colon cancer by inhibiting repair of damages DNA in cells lining the digestive tract. If you drink, do so in moderation.

Maintain a healthy weight- people with a body mass index of 25 or more are more likely to develop colon cancer. Exercise helps maintain a health weight and speeds up digestion so carcinogens don?t linger in gut. Scientists in Norway found that aerobic exercise - 30 minutes each day lowers risk by 40%.

Donna Tinnerello MS, RD, CD/N
May, 2000

Donna Tinnerello MS, RD, CD/N is registered dietitian with more than 10 years experience in HIV and nutrition. She works in lower Manhattan at Cabrini Medical Center, the community and in private practice.. Her subspecialties are cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal disease, diabetes and weight loss. Donna is available for private consultation by referral only.