To further complicate matters, as colon cancer rates continue to rise among young adults, a Florida gastroenterologist is blaming emulsifiers in processed foods.
“Ultra-processed foods create a lot of noise in the microbial community.” Dr. Maria AbreuHe is a professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology at the University of Miami. He told Miami news station WSVN last week..
“Even foods that we think are good for us can be problematic,” Abreu continued. “Things like added emulsifiers, creaminess, nonfat yogurt — these things can really change the gut microbiome.”
Past research Food emulsifiers and Carboxymethylcellulose and Polysorbate 80 Effects on colon cancer in mice. These additives are said to alter gut bacteria and promote intestinal inflammation.
CMC acts as a thickener and stabilizer in foods and is found in ice cream (used to slow melting), cakes, cookies, candy, juices, dairy and meat products, frozen foods, instant pastas, and other products.
Polysorbate 80 is used in breads, cake mixes, salad dressings, shortening oils, and chocolate. It may also be found in soaps, cosmetics, and eye drops.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, with an estimated 1 in 24 Americans being diagnosed with the disease at some point in their life. Colon Cancer Alliance.
Obesity-related illnesses are expected to kill about 53,000 people in the United States this year. According to the American Cancer Society.
The gut microbiota, a collection of bacteria, viruses and fungi present in our digestive system, is thought to play an important role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer.
Abreu suspects that chemicals and bacteria in processed foods trigger the activation of intestinal enzymes, leading to inflammation and possibly cancer.
“Something in the microbiome is altered, which causes chronic inflammation. [gastrointestinal] “Tracts,” she told WSVN.
Chronic inflammation is a condition in which the immune system remains activated even after the threat of injury or disease has passed, and it has been linked to a variety of diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Abreu and her team are working to develop tests that reveal inflammation in the gut.
“We can see that this person has a leaky gut and an abnormal microbiome, and we need to address that,” she explained.
In the meantime, she recommends sticking to a healthy diet and avoiding processed foods.
“I tell my patients that anything in a bag with a best before date of next year is not food,” Abreu says.
