Colon cancer triggered by common food additives, study says

by: | January 6, 2017
Colon cancer triggered by common food additives, study says
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(NaturalHealth365) Food additives called emulsifiers are often included in processed foods to help extend shelf life and create a better food texture. However, studies have found that these food additives may be causing colon cancer and colorectal cancer.

Apparently, these emulsifiers in foods can alter intestinal bacteria in a way that increases inflammation. This can then create condition conducive to colon cancer and colorectal cancer. In a recent study, mice that consumed dietary emulsifiers showed exacerbated cancer tumor development.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most deadly cancer

Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. In 2012, the disease caused 700,000 deaths. The study, mentioned above, was conducted by researchers in Georgia State University’s Institute for Biomedical Sciences and published in the journal Cancer Research.

There has been an increase in awareness in the scientific community that regarding the major role that intestinal microbiota play in immune system health as well as colorectal cancer. Intestinal microbiota refers to a large, diverse microorganism population inhabiting the human intestines.

The gut is the key to immune health and living life cancer-free

This microbiota environment is also a major factor in diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, the most common forms of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). IBD is known to give rise to numerous more serious colon issues including various forms of cancer.

Low-grade inflammation of the colon is more common than IBD and associated with metabolic disease. It is also linked with the altered gut microbiota composition associated with colorectal cancer. This recent study by the Georgia State University Institute for Biomedical Sciences suggests that food additives like dietary emulsifiers could be a contributor to colorectal cancer and colon cancer.

Colorectal cancer has been on the rise since the middle of the 20th century, around the time these emulsifiers (food additives) began to be used in processed foods. One of the hallmarks of colorectal cancer and colon cancer is altered intestinal microbiota. This environment in the gut in effect creates an ideal environment for the development and proliferation of cancer.

Food additives like emulsifiers inflame the gut and can lead to cancer

Some of the most common emulsifiers used in food processing are polysorbate 80 and carboxymethylcellulose. Eating foods that contain these food additives can lead to an inflamed condition within the gut over time. This can in turn increase the odds of colon cancer and colorectal cancer in addition to inflammatory bowel disease, of which ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are two of the most common forms.

These study results further underscore the health hazards of eating too many processed foods instead of natural, organic choices. The findings also highlight the importance of gut health and gut bacteria equilibrium – which can be enhanced with probiotics.

It is also a reminder to take steps to minimize inflammation in the colon and throughout the body. Eating natural foods with plenty of fiber can go a long way in supporting gut health, colon health, and avoiding colon and/or colorectal cancer.

References:

https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/early/2016/11/05/0008-5472.CAN-16-1359.full.pdf

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-11/gsu-cfa110216.php

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313938.php

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