Study: Diet Seemed Good, Turns Out It Could Be the Cause of Cancer

Colon cancer mainly affects older people, with the majority of cases occurring in people aged 50 and over.

Several lifestyle factors contribute to the development of colon cancer, including eating a lot of processed meat and not enough fruits and vegetables, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol.

New research, just published in the scientific journal Nature Microbiology , has found that a popular diet for weight loss may promote this type of cancer.

Lead author, Professor - Dr. Alberto Martin, Head of the Department of Immunology at the University of Toronto (Canada), said: Colon cancer is caused by a number of different factors including diet, intestinal microflora, environment and genetics.

Low-carbohydrate diets are popular for weight loss.

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Do low-carbohydrate diets promote colon cancer?

Our question is, does diet trigger the carcinogenic potential of certain bacteria?

To answer this question, a team of authors led by postdoctoral fellow Bhupesh Thakur from the University of Toronto looked at the effects of three common diets: a normal diet, a low-carbohydrate diet, and a Western diet (high in fat and sugar) on the development of colon cancer.

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They tested mice fed one of three species of bacteria linked to colon cancer and fed one of three diets.

The results found that a low-carbohydrate diet can trigger a strain of E. coli bacteria to produce a DNA-damaging compound called colibactin, promoting the growth of polyps in the colon, which can lead to colon cancer, according to the science news site ScitechDaily .

Researchers say this diet, which is low in fiber, increases inflammation in the gut and changes the microbiome there, allowing colibactin-producing E. coli bacteria to thrive.

A low-carbohydrate diet can trigger a strain of E. coli bacteria to produce a DNA-damaging compound called colibactin, which promotes the growth of polyps in the colon, leading to colon cancer.

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How to prevent?

Although human trials are needed, the authors are excited to have found a way to prevent cancer.

For patients with Lynch Syndrome, a genetic condition that significantly increases the risk of colon cancer, researchers note that avoiding a low-carbohydrate diet or taking antibiotics to eliminate colibactin-producing bacteria may help reduce the risk of colon cancer.

In further research, the authors also found that fiber supplementation helped reduce the harmful effects of a low-carb diet. In particular, the soluble fiber inulin can reduce colibactin-producing E. coli strains and improve gut health in high-risk individuals, such as those with inflammatory bowel disease, according to ScitechDaily.

Professor Martin said: “This study highlights the potential risks of long-term use of low-carbohydrate, low-fibre diets – which are a popular weight-loss diet. More research is needed but it is hoped that the initial results will raise awareness.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nghien-cuu-che-do-an-tuong-tot-hoa-ra-co-the-la-nguyen-nhan-gay-ung-thu-185250408100434902.htm