Colon Cancer can be caused by a diet high in red meat and excessive use of alcohol. High amounts of red meat are a concern do to chemicals produced when red meat is cooked at high temperatures and preservatives such as nitrates that turn into nitrosamines in the body and become carcinogenic. Processed, cured, and salted meats should also be limited as much as possible.Those who eat fish actually reduce their risk of colon cancer by a third. Simple steps can be taken to limit the risks of being diagnosed with colon cancer. Increase in physical activity is recommended as well as a change in diet with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables.
What sort of fruits and vegetables? Fruits such as mango and papaya, green leafy vegetables like broccoli and cabbage are the best for warding off this type of cancer. How many servings of fruits and vegetables are necessary? It is believed that 5 or more servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables each day can keep the body functioning well and reduce the risk of colon cancer. Choosing whole grains rather than processed grains like white flour and white rice can also make a difference in the health of those who eat them regularly and as stated before limit the amount of processed and red meat.
Colon cancer begins by polyps that attach themselves to the lining of the colon wall that over time become cancerous. This disease produces anemia, fatigue, extreme weight loss and can spread cancer to other parts of the body. Avoiding the harmful effects of this disease can be as simple as the food we put in our mouths. Choosing fruits as snacks and eating extra servings of vegetables when ever possible could dramatically improve health and prevent disease in the long run.