Folate Reduces Colon Cancer Risk
No one likes to think about the possibility of getting colon
or rectal cancer. Most of us just hope this disease will pass
us by. But the American Cancer Society says that almost
150,000 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer in
2011. So here’s some health advice: boost your intake of
folate.
Folate is a vitamin often associated with pregnancy and the
prevention of birth defects, but it has many other important
jobs as well — one of which is cancer prevention.
According to researchers at the National Cancer Institute in
Rockville, MD, people who eat plenty of folate have a
lower risk of colorectal cancers.
The research team used data from a diet survey started in
1995, which included more than 500,000 middle-aged and
older U.S. adults. At the start of the study, participants
filled out a questionnaire about their normal eating habits
and any supplements they took regularly. The researchers
then calculated how much folate they got on a typical day.
For the next 10 years, they kept track of the number of
colorectal cancer cases that were diagnosed in the
participants. In total, 7,200 cases were originally reported,
including about 6,500 that were diagnosed after the start of
the folate fortification program, which was initiated in the
U.S. in 1998.
The research team found that people who ate the highest
amount of folate each day (at least 900 micrograms post-
fortification) were 30% less likely to get colorectal cancer
than those who got less than 200 micrograms each day.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for folate is 400
micrograms for most adults and 600 micrograms for
pregnant women. As a result of fortification, the average
person’s folate intake through foods increased by about 100
micrograms. Of course, follow your doctor’s advice about
the proper RDA for folate for your particular
circumstances. You can also keep your folate intake up by
adding these six foods to your diet:
1. Asparagus
2. Barley
3. Beef
4. Bran
5. Brewer’s yeast
6.Brown rice
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