Individuals who consume the highest amounts of digestible carbohydrate the non-fiber "effective" component of carbohydrate have a significantly increased risk for developing colorectal cancer compared with those who eat the lowest amounts.

Among those with the lowest amount of non-fiber carbohydrate consumption:

• Women had a 7-fold increased risk, with the highest risk in the right colon

• Men had a 2-fold increased risk, with the highest risk for left rectal cancer

The following are some facts about colorectal cancer:

• Second only to lung cancer, accounting for 15% of all cancer deaths

• Other risk factors are colorectal polyps, cancer elsewhere in the body, a family history of colon cancer, colitis, and immunodeficiency disorders

• Many medical texts list the consumption of a diet high in fat and meat consumption as increasing risk. This seems to be possibly in conflict with this newest study.

• Symptoms include diarrhea, blood in the stool, unexplained anemia, abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen, intestinal obstruction, and weight loss.

Colorectal cancer in usually diagnosed with a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy performed with a biopsy. If a tumor is large enough it may be revealed by a standard rectal examination as well.

Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research - Seattle, Washington, July 2000

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

When I was in medical school over 20 years ago, my nickname was "Dr. Fiber" as I used to preach fiber to all my fellow medical students. Clearly whole foods are generally good for you, but I suspect the above observation is related to the serious disruption that many of the grains can have on the balance of insulin. The diet I advocate tends to minimize this disruption and replaces the grain carbohydrate with vegetable carbohydrate, which is far more beneficial to the body. Also, fiber is may not be the protector against colon cancer that many think it is (see the first 2 articles below).

Related Articles:

  High-Fiber Diet May Not Prevent Colon Cancer

 Study Finds Fiber Useless In Preventing Colon Cancer

 Water and Exercise Cut Men's Colon Cancer Risk

 Wine Can Lower Colon Cancer