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Eating Blueberries Slashes Your Colon Cancer Risk

Adding blueberries to your diet may be a natural way to prevent colon cancer, according to researchers at Rutgers University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In a study of 18 rats with colon cancer, those fed a diet supplemented with the blueberry compound pterostilbene had 57 percent fewer pre-cancerous lesions after eight weeks compared to the control group. Pterostilbene also inhibited genes involved in inflammation, which is thought to be a risk factor for colon cancer.

A past study has also found that blueberries are beneficial; when blueberry skins were fed to animals, their cholesterol was lowered. It’s thought that pterostilbene may prevent colon cancer by lowering lipids in your body.

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins, and are a good source of ellagic acid, which is known to block metabolic pathways that may lead to cancer. There are 30 different blueberry species native to North America.

Clinical Cancer Research, Vol. 13, No. 1, January 1, 2007: 350-355

Newstarget July 26, 2007



Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Blueberries are one of nature’s mightiest fruits. Their high antioxidant content makes them beneficial not only for colon cancer, but also for preventing brain aging, and urinary tract infections.

Adding blueberries to your ground meat before cooking it (ideally at low temperatures) is also an excellent way to prevent cancer-causing heterocyclic amines (HCA) from forming.

Though blueberries are low in sugar, it’s best to eat them in moderation to keep your insulin levels from spiking.

Colon cancer, now the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States, is considered one of the most preventable forms of cancer. There are several dietary factors, in addition to blueberries, that play a strong role in preventing this disease. They are:

  • Selenium: Eating organic vegetables and whole apples is a good way to get plenty of selenium through your diet.
  • Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA): As little as 0.5 percent of CLA in your daily diet could reduce your risk of colon cancer by more than 50 percent. Good sources of CLA include grass-fed beef and raw grass-fed dairy products. 
  • Folate: Whole, raw vegetables are loaded with folate.
  • Omega-3 fats: Eating plenty of high-quality omega-3 fats, such as krill oil, on a regular basis, is essential for protecting your body from all types of cancer.
Other than dietary factors, you can also help to prevent colon cancer by exercising, maintaining a healthy body weight, and getting plenty of vitamin D, ideally from safe sun exposure.

To further decrease your risk for developing cancer, check out my recommendations to cut your risk of cancer in half.


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Comment on This Article Community Comments (19)
 
 
Posted On Jul 27, 2007
This story states that " Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. It has been linked to a high intake of saturated fats "
So why then has colon cancer not been an issue for the last several thousand years?

 
Bridestein
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 12/2006
Bridestein  
Replied

annapavlova42
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 2/2007
annapavlova42  
 
Posted On Jul 27, 2007
Because Bridestein, it promotes lots and lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$.


neroli moonstone
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 6/2007
neroli moonstone  
 
Posted On Aug 01, 2007
perhaps the current western dietary trends towards processed and undenutured foods has some effect on the state of the colon, These antioxidants in blueberries etc are awesome to help rectify such issues as bad diet. Also I would like to say that beetroot and other plant based foods in the same vibrational range have a wonderful effect on the bowels. Beetroot is a long standing food for all bowel problems and along with blueberries is renowned as a food of the bowel. Love Dom ox


Peter Booker
Novice User Novice User Joined On 5/2007
Peter Booker  
 
Posted On Aug 18, 2007

There are a number of reasons why colon cancer has not been evident over the centuries. One is that until fairly recently people were dying of other things at a much younger age before the colon cancer set in; another is, in my opinion, that the ingestion of hydrogenated oil and trans fats have only been a problem in the past 100 years; this also coincides with people beginning to live longer due to the improved health. I think that the saturated animal fats such as butter, and the saturated coconut oil are being unfairly blamed for many of our ills.



BeyondOrganic
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
BeyondOrganic  
 
Posted On Aug 18, 2007

I believe that thousands of years ago people were not eating the amount of chemicals and "dead food" as we eat today.  Our food has become more and more posioned in the last 30 years and only gets worse and worse.  When people do not properly eliminate than the risk of growing polyps that turn to cancer is very likely to occur.  When people are constantly exposed to toxins and environmental posions such a cleaning products, pesticides, preservatives et.... these posions collect and build up in our colons!  I think it is extremely important to do colon cleanses, liver cleanses, kidney cleanses etc.. and eat as many organic, raw, live foods as possible to stay healthy!  

Also, colon cancer has not been much talked about until more recently because it is a more "embarassing" topic that people don't care to discuss with others.


 
 
 
Posted On Jul 27, 2007
Absolutly blueberries are effective. I get my organic blueberries from organic stoneyfield yogurt. Raspberries also have been very effictive according to some research I have read. An effective cancer fighting agent.

 
Rogway
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2006
Rogway  
Replied

Laserman
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Laserman  
 
Posted On Jul 28, 2007
I found an out of the way spot where some wild blueberries grow (can they get any more organic than that?), and I can't wait for 2 or 3 more weeks until they ripen. I can't vouch for their effectiveness at preventing colon cancer, but I can say that they definitely improve night vision, and they taste grrr-reat!


Rogway
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Rogway  
 
Posted On Jul 30, 2007
You got it Herb Doc.

That's why it's easy to see why Gods little creatures are always hanging around one of his better creations.

I learn a lot from watching his little creatures doing their thing. It is also a good remedy for de-stressing yourself. Interrupted only by the quiet, peaceful, relaxing sounds of ole Mother Nature herself..

Listening to those awesome sounds of nature just seems to want to zap me right back to the beggining to see how it all came about. What a sight it must have been.


JoyWAHM
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 3/2007
JoyWAHM  
 
Posted On Aug 18, 2007

I absolutely LOVE organic blueberries and raspberries! We have planted some bushes in our backyard. I eat them daily with plain yogurt and have noticed a significant difference. I just wanted to also add that I eat alot of WILD organic blueberries and they don't make my blood sugar levels rise at all, and I'm normally very sensitive with eating fruit, honey or anything that is sweet.

Joyce :)

www.vitalchoice.com/index.cfm  


 
 
 
Posted On Jul 27, 2007
Blueberries in their natural state are delicious.  But are the fats talked about truly saturated or are they transfats?

Mary

 
mmc88121
Moderator User Moderator User, Joined On 11/2006
mmc88121  
 
 
 
Posted On Jul 27, 2007
I'm HIGHLY suspect of these pronouncement conclusions by the United State Department of Agribusiness who's mission is to promote the blueberry council's selling agenda, just like the corn growers with HFCS.

Beware the USDA bearing any news.

 
Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
 
 
 
Posted On Aug 18, 2007

You're right JoyWahm.  Blueberries contain a seven part molecule called inulin, which help to stabilise blood glucose levels. So enjoy your organic berries :)))

Blessings

Dr. Trudy


 
Health 1
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 3/2007
Health 1  
 
 
 
 
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