It has been long known that societies who consume large quantities of plant foods have a lower incidence of colon polyps and cancer. Further, when people from these parts of the world eat a western type diet, their risk of these tumors increases. Genetics is a major factor in colon cancer, but so is diet. Specifically, the presence or absence of significant plant fiber in the diet is very important.
Animal and even some human studies have shown how this likely occurs. The prebiotic fibers, oligofructose and inulin in particular, result in significant growth of certain beneficial colon bacteria. These, in turn, produce substances that reduce or moderate certain carcinogens in the colon. While the data is still not completely conclusive, medical studies are positive enough to recommend prebiotic fibers in foods and/or dietary supplements.
A recent study in German directly showed that prebiotics might even stop early-stage colon cancer cells.
 |
|