Important deficiencies may be an early warning sign of colorectal cancer in young people.
Colorectal cancer has long been associated with older people; Especially people over 65 years old. However, the proportion of adults under 50 is steadily rising since the 90s.
Joel Masona gastroenterologist at Tufts University, recently shared that rectal bleeding, significant changes in bowel habits, and iron deficiency anemia are common symptoms of colorectal cancer.
“I don’t like to increase anxiety levels in young people.” Mason said in June.“But this trend is so alarming that on balance it may be worth making young people a little more wary of the symptoms they need to be aware of.”
Iron deficiency is said to be one of them. The world’s most prevalent nutritional problem.
recent research At JAMA Network Open 29% of US adults reported suffering from absolute or functional iron deficiency. This means that nearly 1 in 3 Americans may have an undiagnosed iron deficiency..
Absolute iron deficiency is particularly prevalent among women, children, vegetarians, and vegans, and is characterized by significantly reduced or absent iron “reservoirs.” According to the American Society of Hematology.
In functional iron deficiency, there is sufficient iron stored, but the body cannot use it effectively.
Iron deficiency weakens the immune system and makes it difficult for the body to fight disease.
Symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, weakness, cold extremities, chest pain, pale skin, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, headaches, and cravings for non-nutrient foods such as ice, dirt, paper, and clay. Masu.
Foods rich in iron include red meat, poultry, fish, spinach, beans, whole grains, and eggs.
Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, when your body has a low red blood cell count, your body has a hard time absorbing iron, you don’t eat enough iron-rich foods, or your body loses more blood than it can replace. This is for the purpose of getting lost.
Anemia is present in 30% to 75% of colorectal cancer patients. According to the 2023 survey.
Dr. Wacchus Tye, a Brooklyn-based oncologist, recently explained: That is the number one diagnosis we seek. And in the case of women, unless their menstrual flow is heavy, their hemoglobin cannot be low, so a colonoscopy is also necessary. ”
But when it comes to iron, too much or too little is just as dangerous.
The research revealed that We know that eating too much iron over a lifetime can increase your risk of lung and colorectal cancer. Researchers hypothesize that tumors use excess iron to promote growth.
Excess iron can also accumulate in the liver and cause toxicity.
Therefore, a careful balance between iron deficiency and iron excess must be found.
“Emerging evidence shows that reduced iron intake and systemic iron levels are associated with the development of colorectal cancer, suggesting optimal iron intake to avoid both iron deficiency and iron overload.” “This suggests that the amounts must be carefully balanced,” the German scientists wrote. 2021 study published in Frontiers in Immunology.
Iron supplementation may help achieve that balance.
A research result has been revealed Between 14% and 18% of Americans take supplements containing iron.
“Iron in the body is referred to as ‘elemental iron’,” Alana McKay, a postdoctoral research fellow in sports nutrition at Australian Catholic University, said in August. “Choosing the right oral supplement and dose depends on the amount of elemental iron it contains. Your doctor will advise you exactly how much you need.”
