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Fiber May Not Reduce Colorectal Cancer riskSpecialists Stress That a High-Fiber Diet Has Other Health Benefits, so Don't Let It Slide.Facts About Fiber

Posted on: Wednesday, 14 December 2005, 18:00 CST

By Nichole Aksamit

A new review of some of the most scientifically reliable studies on diet and cancer finds no association between high fiber intake and lower colorectal cancer risk.

But don't toss out your Metamucil or Wheaties just yet.

Three Omaha colon, cancer and nutrition specialists say fiber is still solidly linked with controlling weight, lowering cholesterol and regulating blood sugar, and it may still reduce risk of rectal cancer.

The new review, to be published in today's Journal of the American Medical Association, may come as a surprise to the diet- conscious.

Led by scientists at Harvard Medical School and funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance, the review analyzed results of 13 studies. In the studies, more than 725,000 participants were asked about their eating habits, which were followed for six to 20 years to see what cancers developed.

After adjusting for factors such as age and weight, the review found that people reporting a high dietary fiber intake (25 to 30 or more grams daily) weren't any less likely to develop colorectal cancer than those eating 10 to 15 grams of fiber a day.

Dr. Stephen Lanspa, an Omaha gastroenterologist, said some researchers already suspected fiber might not be an effective colon cancer deterrent.

"Public health officials long have stressed this (fiber as colon cancer prevention) connection, but the data has always been conflicting," said Lanspa, professor of internal medicine at Creighton University Medical Center. "The question is what's to be done with this latest study? Do we change our advice to patients?"

In a nutshell, no.

"There's lots of research to show other benefits of eating fiber," said Rita Frickel, a registered dietitian who works with cardiac patients at Creighton University Medical Center.

"The main ones are improved control of glucose for diabetes, lowering cholesterol to help with coronary heart disease, and -- more recently -- management of weight."

Frickel said studies show that adults and children who eat high- fiber diets tend to feel full longer and have a lower body mass index, one indicator of obesity.

Lanspa said eating fiber regularly also lowers one's risk of bowel bulges and blockages, complications of severe constipation.

Omaha oncologist Jean Grem, a University of Nebraska Medical Center professor who specializes in gastrointestinal cancers, said she won't stop encouraging patients to eat fiber for general health.

"Fiber didn't turn out to be independently important in colon cancer," she said. "But the bottom line is there's no evidence that it's harmful."

She and Lanspa both added that diet is never a substitute for colon cancer screening, still the best means to catch precancerous polyps. Colorectal cancer is among the most common cancers in the United States and among the most curable with early detection.

Facts about fiber

Doesn't lower risk of colon cancer, according to a new research review, but it still: Helps regulate blood sugar levels, a key to preventing and treating diabetes. Lowers LDL cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease. Helps you feel full longer and is associated with weight control. How to get the recommended 25 grams a day: Cereals: Choose oat, bran and whole-grain cereals with 5 grams of fiber per serving; top yogurt with dry rolled oats. Breads: Choose whole-grain or rye breads with 3 to 5 grams per slice. Rice and pasta: Choose brown and wheat versions instead of white. Fresh foods: Fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans, lentils) and nuts pack a lot of fiber. Other ways to lower colon cancer risk: Stay active. Control your weight. Limit intake of red meat and alcohol. Get screened at age 50 or younger if you have a family history of colon cancers or polyps.

Sources: Registered dietitian Rita Frickel, oncologist and cancer researcher Jean Grem and gastroenterologist Stephen Lanspa, all of Omaha

Source: Omaha World - Herald

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