Probiotics May Help Prevent Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a major disease of the Western civilizations and diet may account for at least 35% of cases. Epideminologic studies reveal that major dietary constituents implicated in the disease process are fat/red meat (causative) and fibre (protective).

Researchers in New York examined the potential anticancer properties of two concentrations of L. acidophilus in laboratory animals. Their results showed that the animals with probiotic supplementation significantly suppressed precancerous cell formation in a dose dependent manner.

These results suggest that L. acidophilus may potentially prevent colon cancer development. Further studies are warranted in humans to determine full potential of this probiotic strain in preclinical efficacy studies.
Researchers in the UK also found that probiotic consumption was also associated with decreases in factors that have been associated with carcinogenesis of the colon experimental animal models.

Source: Heath of Probiotics Dr. S.K. Dash, Dr. Allan N. Spreen Dr. Beth M. Ley