Cancer Hindering Foods: Some Foods Hinder The Body’s Ability To Fight Cancer

Cancer Hindering Foods: Excessive amounts of certain omega-6 fatty acids can interfere with the function of other essential fatty acids, such as omega-3, which have anti-inflammatory properties and help combat cancerous tumors.

According to a new study, the food you consume can affect your body’s ability to fight cancer cells in the colon. The most likely culprit in this issue is the excessive presence of certain omega-6 fatty acids, often found in ultra-processed foods, which can disrupt the function of other essential fatty acids, specifically omega-3, that have anti-inflammatory properties and are involved in fighting tumors.

Dr. Timothy Yeatman, one of the lead authors of the study published in Gut, a journal of the British Society of Gastroenterology, stated that “mutations” in the digestive system occur every day, but they are usually suppressed by the immune system with the help of omega-3 molecules. However, if the body is exposed to chronic inflammation due to an imbalance of omega-6 fatty acids, commonly found in ultra-processed and unhealthy foods, I believe that mutations are more likely to stabilize, and the body will struggle to counteract them.”

Cancer Hindering Foods, “Mutation” refers to permanent changes or disruptions in DNA sequences that can be caused by various factors such as environmental influences, inheritance, or natural errors during cell division. Some mutations may be harmless, but others can lead to diseases or genetic disorders.

Experts say that the Western diet generally contains a high amount of omega-6 fatty acids, largely due to the cheapness, availability, and frequent use of seed oils (such as corn, sunflower, soybean, sesame, and peanut oils) for frying fast foods and producing ultra-processed foods. Currently, about 70% of the food sold in the United States is made with these oils. Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in corn oil, peanuts, soy, amaranth, and sunflower, is the most common omega-6 found in American foods.

Cancer Hindering Foods, This leads to a significant imbalance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in many people’s bodies. A study in November 2015 showed that over the past 50 years, linoleic acid levels in American fat tissue have increased by 136%.

However, Dr. Bill Harris, an internal medicine professor at Sanford School of Medicine in South Dakota, who did not participate in the new study, points out that concluding that omega-6 fatty acids in ultra-processed foods are the sole cause is premature and unsupported by sufficient evidence.

Cancer Hindering Foods, “The issue is that Americans also consume very little omega-3 fatty acids, because they don’t enjoy fatty fish like mackerel, herring, and sardines, which are excellent sources of these fatty acids,” he explained. “So, it’s not just omega-6 fatty acids to blame; the main issue is the lack of omega-3.”

Cancer Hindering Foods

What Are Essential Fatty Acids?

Cancer Hindering Foods, Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that are crucial for human health but cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained through our diet. Both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play key roles in health.

Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in fatty fish like salmon, as well as flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and pine nuts. These acids help maintain body cells, provide energy, strengthen the immune system, and reduce inflammation. However, like many other nutrients, excessive consumption of omega-3 can also be harmful.

Omega-6 fatty acids are also essential for health. These molecules stimulate hair and skin growth, regulate metabolism, improve bone health, and may even have anti-inflammatory properties in some cases. However, they can also be converted into molecules like prostaglandins, which signal the body to initiate inflammation.

Cancer Hindering Foods, This inflammatory response is usually to combat infections, injuries, or tumors, but if inflammation continues for too long or is not properly managed, it can lead to health problems.

A Dangerous Trend

Cancer Hindering Foods, Colorectal cancer, once considered a disease of older adults, is now on the rise among people as young as 20. Cases of colorectal cancer in individuals under 50 have been increasing both in the United States and globally.

Cancer Hindering Foods, According to a study in February 2017, millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) are twice as likely to develop colorectal cancer as those born in 1950. The American Cancer Society reports that for young men, this type of cancer is the deadliest, and for young women, it ranks third after breast and lung cancer.

Dr. Robin Mendelsohn, a gastroenterologist, previously told CNN that specialists are still unsure why this increase is occurring. Genetics play a role, but the disease is appearing in patients without a family history. He added that the rise in obesity could be a contributing factor, although the disease has also been seen in some young vegetarians and fitness enthusiasts.

Cancer Hindering Foods, However, there is growing evidence of a connection between an unhealthy diet containing ultra-processed foods, red meat, ham, bacon, sausages, hot dogs, and a low intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, and the early onset of colorectal cancer.

Reducing Inflammation: A Key To Health

In the new study, researchers compared the colon cancer tissue of 80 patients in the United States with healthy colon tissue taken from the same patients. The goal was to identify specific soluble mediators produced from omega-3 fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), during the acute inflammation phase. These mediators, which have strong anti-inflammatory effects, help the inflamed tissues return to normal after the need for the inflammatory response ends.

Cancer Hindering Foods, To explain, there are two stages of recovery from injury or infection: first, the immune system creates inflammation, such as fever, to fight off infection, and then this inflammation is reduced with the help of molecules derived from omega-3 fatty acids.

However, omega-3 molecules only come into play once the body is fighting inflammation. This is why they are often difficult to detect in the early stages of inflammation. To overcome this challenge and identify even small amounts of these molecules in tumor samples, researchers used a specialized analytical method.

Cancer Hindering Foods, The study concluded that in healthy tissues, there is a good balance between omega-6 and omega-3. However, in cancerous tissues, omega-6 from processed foods creates more inflammation-promoting molecules in the tumor. If the body lacks sufficient omega-3 to control the inflammation caused by cancer, the inflammation persists, worsening the condition.

Experts recommend obtaining omega-3 from your diet whenever possible. To increase omega-3 intake, fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, and trout, as well as shellfish, are recommended.

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