Vegetarian Diet Can Cut Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer type around the world and mostly found in developed countries where more than 65 percent cases has been diagnosed. It is also known as colorectal cancer, bowel cancer or rectal cancer and it develops colon or rectum part of the large intestine. Studies have found that a diet rich in processed or red meat and low in fibre increases the risk of colon cancer. The other risk factors of this cancer are unhealthy lifestyle, older age, inherited genetic disorders, smoking, alcohol, lack of physical activity, family history of colon cancer and colon polyps, presence of colon polyps, race, exposure to radiation, and even diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
Symptoms of colon cancer
There are no signs of this type of cancer is visible in its early stages but these can vary in later stages on the basis of size and location of cancer in the large intestine. The symptoms are following as:
- Change in bowel movement like diarrhea or constipation or change in bulk of stool
- Rectal bleeding which can cause appearance of blood in stool
- Discomfort in abdomen like gas, cramps or pain
- Persistent feeling of fullness
- Weakness, tiredness or fatigue
- Sudden and unexplained weight loss
Treatment of colon cancer
Many different approaches are used to treat this cancer such as surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. If the cancer has not spread to other parts then it can be cured by doing some modification in the lifestyle and eating habits after going through the surgery. One such surgical treatment is colon re-sectioning of colon in which the cancer affected part of the large intestine has been removed and a plastic apparatus is required to collect the fecal matter. Such operation has adverse effect on a patient psychological, sexual and social life.
How vegetarian diet can cut colon cancer risk?
It is found through research that intake of red and processed meat increase the chances of this type of cancer while replacing your diet with vegetarian diet reduces the risk to 22 percent and also up to 43 percent (if you include fish in your diet).
Controlled insulin production
Vegetarian diet is very effective in retaining a normal insulin level in blood therefore it is also worked well with the diabetics. This dietary approach reduces the level of insulin and insulin like growth factors which is very important in case of colon cancer because the high level of this hormone is associated with onset of colon cancer in the intestine.
Detoxification through roughage
Vegetarian diet is rich in soluble and insoluble fibre which is essential for body. The insoluble fibre regulates and stabilizes the bowel movement besides adding to the bulk of your stool and therefore helps in cleansing the digestive tract. It also prevents any abdominal discomfort like gas, constipation, bloating etc.
Enhance immunity
Vegetarian food includes fruits, vegetables, herbs, seeds and nuts which are rich in various vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which help in preventing development of cancer in the body. It also increases the immune system and naturally gets rid of potential carcinogen (if ingested in low level) through detoxification process of the body.
Increases physical activity
Many diseases occur because of our sedentary lifestyle and consumption of large amount of saturated fats in form of meat and oily food stuff is responsible at great extent for such condition. Switching to vegetarian diet can motivate you to live a more healthy and active life which can positively affect your health condition. It also boosts your stamina to a certain level which you can further increase by taking up light exercises like jogging, walking, sports or yoga.