An international panel of experts convened by the World Health Organization concluded that eating processed meat like hot dogs, ham and bacon raises the risk of colon cancer and that consuming other red meats “probably” raises the risk as well. The report could give people more reason to moderate their intake of processed meat.
One of the most common items in your medicine cabinet may be a strong weapon against cancer. Evidence suggests taking a low-dose aspirin (81 milligrams) daily may protect you from developing many types of cancer, including those hardest to treat successfully. Aspirin reduces the risk of cancer by fighting inflammation which is thought to be an important part of the immune system’s healthy response to sickness, injury or disease.
Researchers from Texas A&M University and the University of North Carolina have shown that a diet containing dried plums can positively affect microbiota, also referred to as gut bacteria, throughout the colon, helping reduce the risk of colon cancer. The results from this study are exciting because they suggest that regularly eating dried plums may be a viable dietary strategy to help reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Nutrigenomics is the study of the effects of foods and food constituents on gene expression. Although nutrigenomics is a science still in its infancy, it offers tremendous potential for the application of nutrition in cancer prevention and management. As this field advances, the future of nutritional care will be personalized diet recommendations based on an individual’s genetic profile and physiologic needs.