Breakthrough study on foods causing colon cancer in young people
In this DML Report…
A study from Ohio State University, presented at the American Association for Cancer Research, identifies a potential cause of rising colon cancer rates in people under 50. Researchers analyzed fecal samples from 33 patients with early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) and 41 healthy individuals, finding that those with EOCRC had lower levels of a metabolite called citrate. Citrate, produced during carbohydrate digestion, is linked to gut bacteria like Lactobacillus and Enterococcus, which were also reduced in EOCRC patients. The study suggests that diets low in fiber and high in sugar disrupt the gut microbiome, reducing citrate and potentially increasing cancer risk. EOCRC cases have risen by about 2% annually since the 1990s in the U.S., with 20,000 new diagnoses expected in 2025.
The research compared younger EOCRC patients (average age 44) to older colorectal cancer patients (average age 70), noting distinct microbiome differences. Younger patients showed higher levels of a carnitine-related metabolite, tied to red meat consumption, which may promote inflammation and cancer growth. Older patients had different microbial profiles, suggesting age-specific dietary impacts. The study also found that EOCRC patients had reduced microbial diversity, a factor linked to worse cancer outcomes. While not proving causation, the findings point to diet-driven microbiome changes as a key factor in the surge of colon cancer among younger adults, challenging earlier assumptions about genetic or lifestyle causes alone.
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These findings align with prior research linking processed foods, sugary drinks, and low-fiber diets to colon cancer risk. The Ohio State team suggests that boosting dietary fiber could increase beneficial bacteria and citrate levels, potentially lowering risk. However, the study is preliminary, based on a small sample, and requires further validation. Colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50 and the second in women, with screening typically recommended only after age 45. The researchers advocate for larger studies to confirm these microbiome links and explore dietary interventions to curb the alarming rise in EOCRC.