Colon cancer prevention guide

Step 2. Reduce Fiber Consumption

Dietary fiber in processed food, supplements, and laxatives is a potent carcinogen and the primary cause of the intestinal mucosa's inflammation — a condition that commonly precedes colorectal cancer. And despite what most people believe, dietary fiber doesn't offer any protection from colorectal cancer:

Letter Regarding Dietary Supplement Health Claim for Fiber With Respect to Colorectal Cancer

“Based on its review of the scientific evidence, FDA finds that (1) the most directly relevant, scientifically probative, and therefore most persuasive evidence (i.e., randomized, controlled clinical trials with fiber as a test substance) consistently finds that dietary fiber has no effect on incidence of adenomatous polyps, a precursor of and surrogate marker for colorectal cancer; and (2) other available human evidence does not adequately differentiate dietary fiber from other components of diets rich in foods of plant origin, and thus is inconclusive as to whether diet-disease associations can be directly attributed to dietary fiber.

FDA has concluded from this review that the totality of the publicly available scientific evidence not only demonstrates lack of significant scientific agreement as to the validity of a relationship between dietary fiber and colorectal cancer, but also provides strong evidence that such a relationship does not exist.”

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements;
October 10, 2000
[link]

Although the recommendation to reduce fiber consumption may appear counterintuitive, the exclusion of processed fiber from the diet reduces the risk of colorectal cancer more than any other preventative action.

The following properties of dietary fiber contribute to the oncogenesis of the cancers of the colon and rectum:

Enlargement of stools. Indigestible fiber attracts water five to ten times its own weight. This causes the enlargement of stools (bulking). Large stools exceed the aperture of the anal canal, and require straining to be expelled. Straining cause hemorrhoidal disease and diverticulosis from excessive pressure on the intestinal walls. These conditions lead to incomplete emptying and irregularity. Irregularity commonly leads to the consumption of even more fiber and laxatives, and exacerbate both problems. Incomplete emptying and ensuing irritation causes mechanical damage and inflammation of the mucosal membrane. Resulting ulcers and flat lesions expose the colon's epithelium to pathogens, which, in turn, cause precancerous polyposis and cell mutations that precede tumors.
Fermentation into acids and toxic alcohols. These byproducts of excessive bacterial fermentation cause inflammation from the lumen's excessive acidity (pH), while the toxic alcohols cause mucosal irritation similar to what you may experience from an alcoholic drink inside your mouth. Excessive fermentation causes diarrhea-dominant IBS, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. The exposure to toxic alcohols is behind chronic fatigue syndrome and depression. The gases produced by fermentation are behind bloating, cramping, and premenstrual syndrome (the pressure from the expanded intestines on the oversensitive uterus, due to the period) causing pain and discomfort.
Decimation of essential bacteria. Innate intestinal bacteria form stools, protect the colon mucosa from viral and bacterial pathogens, synthesize essential vitamins, and enable primary immunity (phagocytosis). Normally, bacteria “reside” in the mucosal layer of the intestinal wall. Inflammation of the mucosal membrane exposes bacteria to alcohols and acidity and causes their death.
Forming of dependence. The outcome of bacterial deficiency ranges from small, hard stools to chronic diarrhea. At this point more fiber is commonly added to enlarge and “soften up” the stools. Just as with any other laxative, this practice leads to fiber dependence, and commences the vicious cycle that eventually leads to chronic stool impaction -- the accumulation of hard stools throughout the entire length of the large intestine. This particular condition is behind the flat lesions in the right (ascending) colon that are five times as cancerous as polyps.
High allergenicity. Many types of fiber, particularly in laxatives, such as psyllium, are highly allergenic, and may cause anaphylaxis. The less severe allergies cause chronic inflammation of the mucosal membrane, which results in diarrhea. This diarrheal property of fiber is behind it's laxative effect in smaller doses.

Seasonal, unprocessed fruits and vegetables contain minor amounts of fiber, and most of it is of the soluble variety. When fresh fruits and vegetables are consumed in moderation, their fiber is relatively harmless for healthy adults. This isn't the case with children, especially toddlers, because their digestive organs are 1/5 to 1/10 the size of adults.

Thus, one apple for a 2-year old may have the same punch as five to ten apples for adult. And since most children consume far more fiber-containing food than just one apple, is why epidemics of autism, juvenile diabetes, and severe digestive disorders has swept the United States. As recently as one generation ago, and still in most of the world, all sources of fiber were/are taboo for young children.

Keep in mind that dietary fiber is an addictive substance. It's long term consumption (10 to 20 years) causes irreversible transformation of the colon, rectum, and anal canal described on the previous page. Depending on your age and length of fiber consumption, you may not be able to restore natural defecation. In this case, follow suggestions in the Overcoming Fiber Dependence section.