Colorectal Cancer: Study Shows Dietary Changes Can Shrink Tumors
The good news is that we have a growing body of evidence—both high-quality scientific studies and patients’ personal experiences—that shows that diet and lifestyle changes can effectively stop cancerous cells in their tracks.
One of the recent, and promising of these studies was performed on mice by a team of ten researchers at the University of Michigan.
The study, “Dysregulated Amino Acid Sensing Drives Colorectal Cancer Growth and Metabolic Reprogramming Leading to Chemoresistance,” was published in November 2022 in the journal Gastroenterology. For this study, scientists investigated how low-protein diets affected colon cancer cell growth.
More specifically, they studied something called mTORC1 activation in animal and human tissue.
What is mTORC1?
mTORC1 are molecules that are sensitive to nutrients and that are thought to be hyperactivated when people have cancer. These molecules are implicated in 70 percent of human cancers, including colorectal cancers.
Other animal studies have shown that inhibiting mTORC1 appears to also
inhibit tumor growth. Some medications that interfere with mTORC1 signaling
pathways have also been found to inhibit tumor growth. However, these
cancer-blocking pharmaceuticals are “limited in use,” according
to Medical News Today, both because of their negative immune-suppressing side effects and
because of the return of tumors once the drugs are stopped.
At the same time, a 2015 study showed that restricting protein intake decreased mTORC1 tumors in
mice.
That study, which was done by an international team of researchers from the United States and Italy, mentioned that “reduced dietary protein intake and intermittent fasting (IF) are both linked to healthy longevity in rodents, and are effective in inhibiting cancer growth.” The scientists hypothesized that the reason may be the “down-regulation” of the mTORC1 pathways. Although the study focused on breast cancer, the authors concluded that their work suggested that protein restriction “may represent a highly translatable option for treatment not only of cancer, but also other age-related diseases.”
Restricting Protein to Inhibit Colon Cancer
For this new research, the scientists found that in the presence of amino
acids mTORC1 activation was higher. They then examined how colon cancer
tumors in mice would respond to two weeks on a protein-restricted diet
followed by four weeks of chemotherapy.
Mice are usually fed a diet that is 21 percent protein. For this experiment, the researchers fed the mice diets that were just four percent protein.
They discovered what they had expected: Mice fed low-protein diets had
less mTORC1 activation and less tumor growth than controls.
More specifically, reducing the intake of two amino acids—leucine and
cystine—seemed to signal nutritionally to deactivate mTORC1.
This effect is not just in mice. When the scientists tested human colon cancer, they found that the samples with the most genetic markers of mTORC1 tended to have the worst outcomes.
Starving Cancer
Cancer cells grow exponentially. In order to proliferate so quickly, they
need nutrients. Some of the nutrients they need are synthesized inside the
cells themselves, but other nutrients—including amino acids—come from a
person’s diet.
The reason why a low-protein diet appears to be effective in limiting
tumor growth in the colon is that depriving the colon cancer cells of
protein essentially starves them.
“Feeding or starving cancer cells is … complicated,” Jeffrey Nelson, surgical director of The Center for Inflammatory Bowel and Colorectal Diseases at the Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, told Medical News Today. “But this research shows that depriving certain amino acids influences the mTORC1 pathways leading to cell death.”
The China Study
Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., a Cornell-trained biochemist, and director
of the Center for Nutrition Studies, has published over 350 research
papers, most of which are peer-reviewed. In his landmark book, “The China Study,” which was first published
in 2005, Campbell and his son Thomas, a medical doctor, explored why the
protein fad diets, so popular in the 1970s (and beyond), are not optimal
for human health.
Instead, the research presented in the book, which was based partly on several longitudinal nutrition studies of large numbers of adults and their families that were conducted in China and Taiwan from 1983 to 1990, showed that a mostly plant-based diet, one that was lower in protein and higher in dietary fiber and whole foods, appeared to lead to the best health outcomes. A 55-minute film, “The China Study Documentary,” is also available on the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies’ YouTube channel.
People in China who lived in places where the regular diet was one that included smaller amounts of animal protein were less likely to get diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
Chris Beats Cancer
Chris Wark was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer when he was just 26 years old. After undergoing colon surgery to remove the cancer, he made the controversial decision not to follow his conventional doctors’ recommendations to do chemotherapy. Instead, Wark turned to nutritional and alternative healing, a journey that he documents in his bestselling 2018 book, Chris Beats Cancer.
As detailed in the book, Wark’s cousin Jeff was also diagnosed with colon
cancer: Stage IV. Jeff was told that the cancer was not curable. With
chemotherapy, he could live up to two years. Without it, he would die in
six months, according to the doctors. Although Jeff’s mother urged him to
talk to his cousin, Jeff told his mother that he and Chris were very
different people and that he “didn’t buy into fads or self-help
books.”
Although the surgery to remove the cancer appeared to be successful, chemotherapy made him sick and depressed. Tumors began growing in his liver and abdomen. Jeff died three months after his diagnosis. He was 49 years old.
But the idea of poisoning himself back to health using chemotherapy made no sense to Wark. Instead, he adopted an all-whole foods organic raw diet, found a holistic oncologist who was willing to treat him using a natural and non-toxic approach, and also sought out alternative treatments, including counseling, acupuncture, and chiropractic care. Nearly two decades later, Wark is cancer-free, the father of two, the author of three bestselling books, and the host of a popular podcast.“I eliminated everything in my life that may have contributed to my [cancer],” Wark told The Epoch Times.
Colorectal Cancer and Aspirin
Interestingly, research has shown colonoscopies may be unnecessary if you're taking daily aspirin. While this may sound too good to be true, researchers found that aspirin can, in fact, eliminate certain cancerous tumors, such as liver tumors. (R)A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2017 (R, R) also concluded that aspirin was as effective for preventing colorectal cancer incidence and death thereof as screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy or FOBT, and aspirin was actually more effective for preventing death from cancer in the proximal colon. As reported by the authors of that analysis (R):
"The effect of aspirin on colorectal cancer mortality was similar to FOBT and flexible sigmoidoscopy. Aspirin was more effective than FOBT and flexible sigmoidoscopy in preventing death from or cancer in the proximal colon. Aspirin was equally effective as screening in reducing colorectal cancer incidence, while flexible sigmoidoscopy was superior to FOBT.
Conclusions: Low-dose aspirin seems to be equally effective as flexible sigmoidoscopy or guaiac FOBT screening to reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, and more effective for cancers in the proximal colon. A randomized comparative effectiveness trial of aspirin vs. screening is warranted."
There is even a study (R) of over 600,000 men and women in which aspirin use at least 16 times per month was associated with a 40% reduced risk of colon cancer mortality over the six-year study period.
What might explain these findings? Well, there are several potential mechanisms by which aspirin can be helpful against cancer, including the following:
- Aspirin is a prostaglandin inhibitor, so it can help address hormone imbalances that contribute to colorectal cancer development
- It lowers your iron, which is another potential cancer contributor
- It has anti-inflammatory effects
- It has anti-lipolytic effects, so it inhibits insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes, both of which are risk factors for cancer
Best Natural Aspirin Alternative and Aspirin Purchasing Guidelines
If you're sensitive to aspirin, consider using a salicylic acid or willow bark supplement instead. When you take aspirin, your body metabolizes the acetylsalicylic acid into salicylic acid, which is responsible for aspirin's anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and antithrombotic effects. This compound is naturally found in willow bark.
Willow bark stands out as a compelling natural alternative to aspirin, embodying the age-old wisdom of traditional medicine. Unlike synthetic pharmaceuticals, willow bark's active compounds have coexisted with human biochemistry for millennia, resulting in a natural affinity that modern drugs struggle to replicate.
For dosage, to approximate the effects of 81 mg of aspirin, you would need 400 mg to 800 mg of willow bark extract standardized to 15% salicin. To match the effects of 111 mg of aspirin, you would need 500 mg to 1 gram of willow bark extract standardized to 15% salicin.
Overall, aspirin is a versatile and underappreciated medication with a wide array of health benefits beyond its well-known cardiovascular applications. From cancer prevention to potential treatments for liver disease and cognitive decline, aspirin's diverse effects warrant further research and consideration.
Its metabolic impacts and potential to influence hormone balance add another layer to its therapeutic potential. The breadth of aspirin's potential benefits suggests that this common, inexpensive medication may have more to offer than health authorities are acknowledging in supporting overall health and preventing various chronic conditions.
Colon Cancer and Vitamin D
Coffee for Colorectal Cancer
In a large group of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, consumption of a few cups of coffee a day was associated with longer survival and a lower risk of the cancer worsening, researchers at Harvard-affiliated Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and other organizations report in a study published by JAMA Oncology (2020).Protecting Your Colon Health Starts With Protecting Your Gut Health
Avoid Antibiotic-Laden CAFO Meats and Processed Meats
Both processed meats and red CAFO meats have been linked to colon cancer, and it's important to understand that many of these contain antibiotic residues as well as other compounds that may influence your cancer risk.
Processed meats, such as bacon, ham, pastrami, salami, pepperoni, hot dogs and some sausages, are those preserved by smoking, curing, salting or adding chemical preservatives. The nitrates found in processed meats are frequently converted into nitrosamines, which are clearly associated with an increased risk of certain cancers.
A 2007 analysis by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) found that eating just one sausage a day may raise your risk of bowel cancer.17 Specifically, 1.8 ounces of processed meat daily — about one sausage or three pieces of bacon — was found to raise your likelihood of cancer by 20%.
Research also suggests that people who eat the most red meat (in one study this was 5 ounces a day) have a 24% greater risk of colorectal cancer than those who eat the least.18 Red meat is likely not the problem in and of itself, however; the way it's cooked, and the source it comes from, likely play a role. Grass fed beef, for instance, contains cancer-fighting compounds.
When it comes to meats, I recommend eating organically raised grass fed meats only and cooking them only lightly (rare, not well-done). For the record, I believe most people need some animal protein to be optimally healthy, but most eat far more protein than is necessary (or healthy).
What Else Can Lower Your Risk of Colon Cancer?
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S., aside from skin cancers, as well as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, and the third in men.19 More than 95,500 cases of colon cancer were expected to be diagnosed in 2017, according to the American Cancer Society, so taking steps to prevent it is important.
It's important to avoid the unnecessary use of antibiotics, not only due to their potential link to colon cancer but also for a myriad of other reasons. Be mindful of choosing organic, antibiotic-free meats and dairy products as well. In terms of other methods to lower your colon cancer risk, there are many lifestyle-based changes you can make, including:
1.Eat more vegetables — Vegetables contain an array of antioxidants and other disease-fighting compounds that are very difficult to get anywhere else — like magnesium. Results from one meta-analysis indicated that for every 100-milligram increase in magnesium intake, the risk of colorectal tumor decreased by 13%, while the risk of colorectal cancer was lowered by 12%.20
Beyond magnesium, plant chemicals called phytochemicals can reduce inflammation and eliminate carcinogens, while others regulate the rate at which your cells reproduce, get rid of old cells and maintain DNA.
2.Optimize your vitamin D levels — Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for colorectal cancer. In one study published in the journal Gut, people with higher blood levels of vitamin D were less likely to develop colorectal tumors.21 This may be because vitamin D is beneficial for your immune system, which in turn may help to limit the growth of cancerous tumors.
3.Exercise — There is convincing evidence that regular exercise can significantly reduce your risk of colon cancer.22 One study revealed that physically active men and women have about a 30% to 40% reduction in the risk of developing colon cancer compared with inactive persons, for instance.23
4.Limit your alcohol intake and quit smoking — Both excessive alcohol intake and smoking are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. When it comes to alcohol, I generally define "moderate" alcohol as a 5-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce beer or 1 ounce of hard liquor, with a meal, per day. I do recommend eliminating all forms of alcohol. If you're a smoker, you can find tips for quitting here.
5.Maintain a healthy weight and control belly fat — A number of studies have linked obesity to an increased risk for about a dozen different cancers, including cancer of the colon. In a 2014 study that analyzed data from more than 5 million people over the age of 16, every 11-pound increase in body weight was associated with an increased risk for 10 types of cancer.24
If you're overweight or obese, even small amounts of weight loss can lead to significant benefits for your health. In terms of cancer prevention, losing excess belly fat is particularly important, as belly fat is linked to an increased risk of colon cancer regardless of your body weight.
Key Take-Aways
“Cancer cells are not alien invaders,” Wark reminds his readers. “Cancer cells are your cells with your DNA. Cancer is not just in you, it is you. The presence of cancerous tumors is the result of a breakdown in the normal functioning of your body … Cancer is a condition created by the body that the body can resolve, if given the proper nutrition and care.”The University of Michigan research suggests that dietary and lifestyle changes—limiting protein intake as well as restricting calories—may help thwart cancer growth and also make chemotherapy more effective.
Whether you choose a conventional treatment plan or an alternative one, it appears that in order to stop colon cancer from proliferating in your body, limiting your exposure to known carcinogens (which include glyphosate, some volatile organic compounds, and certain pharmaceutical medications and injections), along with eating a lower protein diet, will help you take back your health.
This article is part of the diet and cancer series. Other diet and cancer related articles in the series:
- 1 Live Science June 3, 2014
- 2, 3, 4 Gut. 2018 Apr; 67(4): 672-678
- 5 Medical News Today April 5, 2017
- 6 BBC News April 5, 2017
- 7 CBS News April 5, 2017
- 8 Dig Dis Sci. 2016 Jan;61(1):255-64
- 9 Clin Microbiol Rev. 2013 Apr; 26(2): 231-254
- 10, 11 Los Angeles Times April 4, 2017
- 12 Washington Post May 19, 2015
- 13 Science Daily, September 25, 2015
- 14 Nutr Cancer. 2005;53(1):117-25
- 15 Nutrients 2024, 16(4), 529
- 16 Medical News Today January 27, 2017
- 17 Nutr Cancer. 2008; 60(2): 131-144
- 18 Cancer Res. March 15, 2010;70:2406
- 19 American Cancer Society, Colorectal Cancer
- 20 The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Volume 96, Issue 3, September 2012, Pages 622-631
- 21 Gut January 15, 2015
- 22 J. Nutr. November 1, 2002 vol. 132, no. 11 3456S-3464S
- 23 Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, November 2003 - Volume 35 - Issue 11 - pp. 1823-1827
- 24 Lancet. 2014 Aug 30;384(9945):755-65
The study author suggests using this low protein diet at specific points in chemo or other treatments and says low protein alone is not enough. Do some more reading before taking this writer's words on the topic.
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