“The state of the health of the individual is equivalent to the state to the health of the colon.”

— Woody Harrelson.

Good morning! Yes I’m totally going to focus on colon health today since I’ve been hearing more individuals coming out and actually talking about it – have it be they’ve been diagnosed with it, know someone who has it, “it runs in the family,” or simply out of concern/curiosity.

Colon cancer does run in my family……losing my grandfather to it back in the 1970s before I was born taking away the opportunity to ever having the chance to meeting who I was told to be an extraordinary man. But looking at the scope of colon cancer globally, there were 1.8 million new cases and over 850,000 deaths from colorectal cancer worldwide in 2018.

The Good ole’ USA and the UK made up for almost 10% of existing cases. However, it is estimated that 60-80 percent of those fatalities could have been avoided through a combination of lifestyle and screening. As posted on the plantbasednews.org website “The colon cancer screening program in the United States has resulted in a reduced colorectal cancer incidence in people age 50 years and older, a testament to the screening program. However, there has been a dramatic and scary rise in colorectal cancers in younger adults less than 50 years of age. For example, in the US someone born in 1990 has four times the risk of rectal cancer and twice the risk of colon cancer compared to someone born just 40 years earlier. ” I am grateful for the screening programs that have provided people with a chance to combat, treat, and win this devastating illness by keeping their lives. However, it does make me wonder what has changed since the 40s and 50s (and all previous years) that for those who were born in the 90s the risk for developing colon and rectal cancer has quadrupled? Well, personally and professionally, my opinion will go back to the best form of prevention starts with what we put in our bodies. Food being the #1 thing.

” A healthy colon begins with a healthy diet.”

https://www.stopcoloncancernow.com/colon-cancer-prevention/prevention/nutrition

One of the risk factors for colorectal cancer is a high-fat, low-fiber diet. The major components for a colon-friendly diet includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains that are rich in fiber and even more helpful when the foods are also high in antioxidants such as in berries. But wait a minute? Notice how there are common foods missing from this list? I mean come on!!!!!! Where’s the meat? Where’s the cheese and dairy?

Let me answer that for you……….. You’re not going to find meat, cheese, and dairy in a colon-healthy diet. Why? For me it’s simple. Meat and dairy lack fiber hands down. And oftentimes meat and dairy are high in fat. Yes, Yes, I know. Chicken, turkey, fish, and low-fat dairy options are available but no matter how you want to spin it – those food items do not contain fiber and in some cases contain some antioxidants (a source stating that some antioxidants are present in meat due to plants that animal may have eaten). However, set aside from colon cancer, animal-based foods are linked to higher rates of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, various inflammatory conditions, etc., and even possibly increase the likelihood for one to overeat. According to the World Health Organization, for every 100 grams of red meat, and 50 grams of processed meat, that we consume a day, we are increasing our overall risk of colon cancer by 18 percent. To get to the point you will not find plant-based foods anywhere on a list of foods that increase the risks for such illnesses such as colon cancer. Because fiber is only found in whole grain foods, vegetables, fruits, beans, and legumes.

Even though when some (honestly in my work experience a LOT) individuals are approached with the concept of eating less animal-based foods or even going completely plant-based, often times it’s like a deer caught in headlights expression that creeps across one’s face. Research of the link between meat and dairy consumption and the increased risk for various illnesses is nothing new. For example quoting from the NutritionFacts.org website “As early as 1907, the New York Times reported on a study that suggested increased consumption of animal foods was a key factor in 4,600 studied cancer cases. The massive Cornell-Oxford-China study conducted in the 1970’s and 80’s showed that even small amounts of animal-based food were associated with a measurable increase in risk of some chronic diseases. Diets rich in animal foods have been linked in numerous studies to higher risk for heart disease and cancer mortality.” But again even with all this knowledge and research proving the benefits of eating less “meat” and eating more “plants” the reason for why people just don’t do it is quite complex but yet not, and very much individualized but yet can be quite collective. Confused yet? If I continue trying to explain you will soon be. So let’s just keep it as simple as possible.

The best approach to keep your colon from hating you and being happier is to incorporate more high fiber foods and more foods high in antioxidants, and to eat less or preferably no animal-based foods at all (Yes that means no meat, no dairy, no eggs…………..GASP!) In return your body as a whole benefits and risk decreases for some pretty nasty conditions. But let’s not forget! Herbs and Spices play a huge beneficial part in all of this “health stuff” including colon health. Studies have shown that Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Spearmint, and Peppermint all may have potential health benefits to suppress colon cancer. Heck to the yeah! Add some flavor while you’re at it! Ya know all while protecting your colon! Recipe for colon health to follow. 😉

Have a great day everyone! ~Rachel~

Here’s to your health!