Is there a link between the Western diet and colon cancer?

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Is there a link between the Western diet and colon cancer?

Expert Answer

Isaac Eliaz, MD is a respected author, lecturer, researcher, product formulator, and clinical practitioner. He has been a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine since the early 1980s. Eliaz is a frequent guest lecturer on integrative medical approaches to health, immune enhancement, and cancer prevention and treatment. For more information, visit www.dreliaz.org.

Scientific studies have pointed to the link between the Western Diet and many types of cancer, and in the case of colon cancer this connection is fairly clear. The Western Diet often contains cancer-causing agents found within the highly processed foods, overcooked and hormone-laden animal products and alcoholic beverages "“ specifically beer which has been shown to increase colon cancer risk"“ that are the hallmarks of this type of diet. In addition, the Western Diet is typically very low in fiber, a necessary component to keeping the intestinal tract clear of cancer-causing substances that can otherwise build up in the gut, contributing to an increased risk of colon cancer. Increased fiber intake, especially in the form of pectin, has been shown to offer a significant decrease in colon cancer risk, due to the cleansing and detoxifying benefits that fiber provides for the entire intestinal tract. By including more dietary fiber and whole foods in your diet, and limiting over-cooked or processed meats, refined/processed foods and alcoholic beverages, you can reduce your risk of colon cancer significantly and help put you on the road to recovery if you're already battling this common form of cancer.