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Vegetarian Diet May be Linked to Reducing Colon Cancer Sarasota

A good, healthy meat-free diet has been found to help reduce the risks of getting colon cancer. According to the American Cancer Society there is a direct relationship between diet and risks of getting cancer.

A recent study done by researchers at the California Loma Linda University Adventist Health Studies focused on diet and foods consumed by the participants.  The study took over 7 years to complete, costing millions of dollars, and included more than 75,000 people. During the 7-year study 490 of the study’s participants developed some type of colorectal cancer. It was discovered that people involved in the study who were vegetarians were 22 percent less likely to be diagnosed with rectal or colon cancers than their carnivorous study participant counterparts.  It was also found that those who followed a vegetarian diet that included the eating of fish, known as a pesco-vegetarian diet, had a 43 percent lower chance of developing colorectal cancers.  The vegan, who consumed a diet free of all meat, dairy and eggs, was found to be 16% less likely to get colon cancer.

New studies found that calcium, Vitamin D and Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish, milk, cheese, salmon, sardines and dark leafy vegetables, help greatly to reduce the risk of contracting colon cancer.  Fish is one of the few foods that contain vitamin D in its natural form.  The other way to get some vitamin D is to get outside in the sun for at least 20 minutes a day. It is also thought that including foods that are high in fiber, including vegetables, whole grains, fruits and legumes, will help reduce the risks of getting colorectal cancers. These high fiber foods clean the digestive tract and remove the toxic contents of the stomach before those toxins have time to make contact with the intestine.

The best way to combat colorectal cancer is to make sure to get a cancer screening around the age of 50 or as suggested by your physician. A colonoscopy can find polyps before they have a chance to develop into cancer.

Other preventive measures that should be taken to reduce the risk of getting colon cancer are to get some exercise. This could be as simple as taking a daily walk. If you have not exercised in a while talk to your doctor to get his recommendations. Maintaining a healthy weight also helps to prevent this type of cancer.  If you smoke, stop, limit how much alcohol you consume, eat good fresh foods and fish, cut down or cut out red meat, processed meats, and foods that are high in fat.

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