Sydney Morning Herald article on 21 March 2016 reports of the increased risk of developing bowel cancer with age.
More than 8 million Australians (almost one in three people) will be in the “crosshairs” of bowel cancer in just 10 years.
That’s the finding of a disturbing new report released on Monday by leading social demographer Bernard Salt, who says by 2026, 4.6 million baby boomers and 4 million Gen Xers “will be subjected to a bowel cancer lottery” purely because of their age.
“Bowel cancer attacks the middle-aged with progressive lethality, with rates leaping tenfold between the ages of 50 and 79,” he says.
However, nowhere in the article is the impact of diet, lifestyle, stress or environmental toxins mentioned. Inflammation is still the predominant underlying cause in all disease, including bowel cancer.
Foods that increase inflammation and damage to the delicate bowel lining include:
- Excessive refined salt
- Sugar, artificial sweeteners, artificial colours and flavours, preservatives
- GMO oils such as canola, rapeseed, sunflower seeds
- Daily intake of processed/refined grains – especially wheat
- Grain-fed beef
- Alcohol, smoking, soft drinks
- Medications and drugs
- GMO foods – including those in packaged products
- Insufficient water (all water consumed should be purified to remove chemicals and toxic substances, including chlorine and fluoride)
Lifestyle factors that increase inflammation and adversely affect the digestive system are inadequate sleep, prolonged stress, social isolation and a sedentary lifestyle.
Environmental factors include exposure to chemicals and toxins. In particular, tradespeople are often exposed daily to toxins used in treating timbers, heavy metals, petro-chemicals, herbicides/pesticides and electromagnetic frequencies.
A Health diet/lifestyle will always include the following:
- Fresh, whole produce – preferably locally grown and Non-GMO vegetables, fruit and nuts
- Free range grass-fed meats
- Free range and organic chicken and eggs
- Sufficient purified water intake daily – 40mg water/ kg body weight
- Limit caffeine, alcohol
- Limit grains – avoid wheat (also gluten if coeliac or gluten intolerant)
- Limit dairy
- Move daily – exercise does not have to be a hard gym workout; it can involve walking to and from work/school/car park/train, using stairs instead of elevator. Make it fun and do it daily.
- Get adequate quality sleep every day
- Avoid sugar and processed foods (anything in a box, packet, jar or can) – read the labels.
It is important to ‘look’ and be able to note any changes in stool consistency/colour and frequency. If in doubt, consult a qualified health professional.