Eat to fight

Colorectal cancer is the seventh most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in India. The cause of colon cancer is multifactorial and complex. Risk factors include sedentary lifestyle, obesity, tobacco use, low fiber diet and alcohol consumption. Dr Niranjan Naik, Director, Surgical Oncology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram sheds some light on the need for a high fibre diet to lower the risks. High-risk for colon cancer includes age above 60 years, a positive family history of colorectal cancer and having familial polyposis syndrome. For screening colonoscopy is recommended starting at age 50 and then every 10 years after that, if the results be normal. Eating a diet which is high-fibre is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, according to new research that analyzed 25 different studies. Analysis compared groups with the highest intake of fibre daily with groups with the lowest intake.

Dietary fiber is a non-starch complex carbohydrates which is found in plant foods. They are of 2 types: soluble and insoluble. There are not non-vegetarian (animal) sources for fiber.

Insoluble-fiber sources include brown rice, fruits like apples, legumes, seeds, whole grains, vegetables such as Brussels sprouts and cabbage, and wheat bran.

— IANS