News

Ultra-processed foods may drive bowel cancer risk, study shows

A new study from the University of South Florida suggests that ultra-processed foods and inflammatory seed oils may contribute to the chronic inflammation that drives bowel cancer.

“It is well known that patients with unhealthy diets have increased inflammation in their bodies,” said Dr Timothy Yeatman, professor of surgery at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “We now see this inflammation in the colon tumours themselves, and cancer is like a chronic wound that won’t heal – if your body is living off of daily ultra-processed foods, its ability to heal that wound decreases due to the inflammation and suppression of the immune system that ultimately allows the cancer to grow.”

The researchers used cutting-edge technology to analyse tumour samples from 162 patients. Inside the tumours, the team discovered an excess number of molecules that promote inflammation and a shortage of those that help to resolve it and promote healing.

The findings pave the way for a new therapy – resolution medicine – which uses natural products in lieu of synthetic drugs to help reverse inflammation and potentially reverse colorectal cancer. This approach would focus on reversing inflammation using healthy, unprocessed foods rich with omega-3 fatty acids and derivatives of fish oil to restore the body’s healing mechanisms along with balanced sleep and exercise.

“This has the potential to revolutionise cancer treatment, moving beyond drugs to harness natural healing processes,” Yeatman said. “It’s a vital step toward addressing chronic inflammation and preventing diseases before they start.”

The findings were published in the journal Gut.

Exercise boosts memory for 24 hours

A new study has revealed that moderate to vigorous exercise enhances memory for up to 24 hours. Researchers from UCL analysed data from 76 participants aged from 50 to 83, tracking their physical activity and sleep, and carrying out cognitive tests over an eight-day period.

The team found that more moderate or vigorous physical activity improved memory, particularly working and episodic memory, the next day. More deep sleep further boosted memory, while excessive sitting had the opposite effect. Lead author Dr Mikaela Bloomberg said: “Moderate or vigorous activity means anything that gets your heart rate up – this could be brisk walking, dancing or walking up a few flights of stairs.”

Break the sugar cycle

Cut sweet cravings in the new year with the Viridian One Week No Sugar Challenge. The new seven-day programme by Viridian Nutrition comprises a guide packed with recipes, facts and tips. Also included is a week’s supply of one of their nutritionist-formulated supplements featuring the trace mineral chromium, which helps to maintain blood glucose levels, and cinnamon, also known as ‘sweet wood’, a well-studied plant extract that may help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and a healthy weight.

Recipes include coconut and coriander soup and chilli non-carne, along with snack suggestions that are either low in or avoid ‘added sugars’ to help rid the body of sugar spikes.

Aimee Benbow, Viridian’s Head Nutritionist, said: “Consuming too much sugar can wreak havoc on your metabolism, leading to a cycle of high blood glucose spikes, which in turn can lead to weight gain and other long-term health conditions.”

Data shows that, on average, adults eat more than double the recommended maximum intake of added sugar. Many people consume even more: potentially up to 700g or 175 teaspoons per week.

Aimee said: “Our No Sugar Challenge can help people feel the difference – in just seven days – with nutritional support to help achieve success.” The No Sugar Challenge is available at independent health stores.

A low omega-6, high omega-3 diet may slow prostate cancer growth

New research has shown that a diet low in omega-6 and high in omega-3 fatty acids, combined with fish oil supplements, significantly reduced the growth rate of prostate cancer cells in men with early-stage disease.

The study was led by researchers from UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles. The trial involved 100 men with low-risk or favourable intermediate-risk prostate cancer. They were randomly assigned to either continue their normal diet or follow a low omega-6, high omega-3 diet, supplemented with fish oil, for one year. The participants who followed the omega diet received advice from a registered dietician nutritionist. They were advised on healthier, lower fat alternatives for high-fat/high-calorie foods and on reducing consumption of foods with higher omega-6 content (such as chips, cookies, mayonnaise and other fried or processed foods). They were also advised to eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon and given fish oil capsules for extra omega-3s. The control group did not receive any dietary advice or take fish oil capsules.

The researchers tracked changes in a biomarker called the Ki-67 index, which indicates how fast cancer cells are multiplying. The results showed that the low omega-6, omega-3 rich diet and fish oil group had a 15 per cent decrease in the Ki-67 index, while the control group saw a 24 per cent increase.

The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.