Dr. Karen Zaghiyan urges people to consume more dairy
A top colon cancer doctor has revealed nine foods that could potentially lower your risk of developing the deadly disease.
Dr. Karen Zaghiyan, who lives in Los Angeles, says the first item on her list is dairy products, such as whole milk, low-fat milk, lactose-free milk, yogurt and cheese.
It is believed that dairy may protect against cancer because it is high in calcium, which has been shown to reduce inflammation in the colon and prevent the growth of cancer cells.
The vitamin D found in dairy products may also play an important role in preventing the disease because it helps the body absorb calcium from dairy products.
Another item on Dr. Zaghiyan’s list of cancer-fighting foods is chocolate.
She emphasizes that the health benefits only come from dark chocolate and not from regular candies like Hershey’s and Cadbury’s.
Some studies have shown that this type of chocolate is protective against the development of colorectal cancer, although Dr. Zaghiyan admits that more research is needed to confirm the link.
She recommends high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa, and the higher the percentage, the better.
A top colon cancer doctor has revealed nine foods that could potentially lower your risk of developing the deadly disease
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Dr. Zaghiyan says polyphenols in dark chocolate are “protective against the development of free radicals that accumulate and lead to the development of cancer.”
These substances have been shown to reduce inflammation, which is a driver of tumor growth.
However, the American Cancer Society warns that chocolate is “still a candy and contains extra calories, sugar and fat,” so it’s best to eat it “sparingly.”
Being overweight is also a risk factor for colon cancer.
The US has the sixth highest rate of early-onset cancer, with 87 cases per 100,000 people under 50, and colon cancer is among the fastest rising.
Researchers from the University of Missouri-Kansas City recently looked at the number of colorectal cancer cases in people ages 10 to 44 over the past two decades. increased in all age groups.
The number of colorectal cancers grew by 500 percent among children aged 10 to 14 and by 333 percent among teenagers aged 15 to 19.
Rates rose 71 percent among people aged 30 to 34, to seven cases per 100,000 people. Among people aged 35 to 39, the figures rose by 58 percent to 12 cases per 100,000 people.
In many young patients, symptoms are dismissed due to benign gastrointestinal disease, leading to more aggressive disease.
If you’re looking for a good way to start your day, Dr. Zaghiyan recommends stocking up on whole grains for breakfast.
Oats are best: they are high in fiber and keep you full, which has the added effect of cleansing the colon and preventing you from overeating.
But unlike other experts, Dr. Zaghiyan says you don’t have to be afraid of cereals and breads, as long as they contain whole grains.
The above graph shows the increase in colorectal cancer cases in the US in men and women between 2000 and 2021.
One study suggests that eating three servings (90 grams) of whole grains daily reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by 17 percent.
Another breakfast option can be fruit.
Dr. Zaghiyan came up with the prevailing myth among some health gurus that fruit is basic because it contains a lot of sugar.
She explains that it actually “protects against many intestinal diseases, including colorectal cancer.”
Fruit is high in fiber which slows the release of sugar into the bloodstream and prevents glucose spikes associated with disease.
She continues: ‘Research has shown that purple, red, green and white fruit, as well as berries and even dried fruit such as dates and figs, are protective against colon cancer.’
Detroit Medical Center says fruits may help fight colon cancer because they are “generally rich in antioxidants, fiber and species-specific phytochemicals that can help protect you from digestive problems.”
Meanwhile, experts say apples, blackberries, bananas, blueberries, oranges, pears and raspberries are some of the best sources of fiber and it’s good to eat a variety of fruits every day.
Similarly, vegetables are also praised for their benefits in fighting colon cancer.
Dr. Karen Zaghiyan, who lives in Los Angeles, says dairy products are the first item on her list of foods that protect against colon cancer.
One study found that a pescatarian diet was associated with a 45 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer
Dr. Zaghiyan says, “Your mother was right: vegetables are good for you and specifically contain important phytonutrients (natural compounds found in plants that can promote good health) as well as many vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for your health, as well as your health. gut health.”
In terms of which vegetables are best, Dr. Zaghiyan for stocking up on cruciferous vegetables, which are cold weather vegetables and most of them bear flowers consisting of four petals that resemble a cross.
She says the best cruciferous vegetables are broccoli and cauliflower, and that dark green vegetables such as kale and spinach also have health benefits, being high in vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Sticking to the garden, legumes and nuts are another recommendation from Dr. Zaghiyan.
She says foods like lentils, beans, soybeans and chickpeas have “consistently shown to be protective against the development of colorectal cancer and incrementally good for your gut.”
One study found that a 28-gram serving of nuts per day was associated with a 33 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer, while a 100-gram serving of legumes was associated with a 21 percent reduced risk.
Dr. Moving on to something meatier, Zaghiyan says she’s a big believer in fish and “studies have consistently shown that eating fish weekly protects against the development of colorectal cancer.”
She continues, “This includes oily fish, lean fish and, believe it or not, canned fish, guys.
“So the more fish you eat, the better it is.”
One study found that a pescatarian and vegetarian diet was associated with a 45 percent lower risk of colorectal cancer.
Studies have shown that pescatarians are also protected against developing colorectal cancer.
When it comes to drinks, Dr. Zaghiyan tea as her first choice.
One study found that tea reduces the risk of colon cancer by 24 percent, and Dr. Zaghiyan says it’s packed with antioxidants that have a range of health benefits.
She adds: ‘Both black tea and green tea have been shown to be protective.
‘But green tea in particular has been consistently shown to be protective against the development of colorectal cancer, especially when drunk every day.’
To top it all off, Dr. Zaghiyan says coffee is one of her favorite things because it serves the dual purpose of waking you up and protecting you from cancer.
She tells her followers on TikTok: ‘If you are a coffee drinker, you are lucky because this protects against the development of colon cancer.
“Believe it or not, drinking several cups a day, like three or four cups, turned out to be even more protective.”
In a study from the American Cancer Society, researchers found that coffee drinkers who did not smoke had a lower risk of death from colorectal cancer.
More recent research, as highlighted by Dr. Zaghiyan, found that decaffeinated coffee also helped lower the risk of colon and rectal cancer.