Link Between Diet and Colorectal Cancer
TAMPA, Fla. — Colon cancer is identified as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, as per the World Health Organization.
A recent study from researchers at USF Health and the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute has highlighted a concerning correlation between a diet rich in ultra-processed foods and unhealthy oils and the chronic inflammation that contributes to tumor growth.
Ganesh Halade, an associate professor at the USF Health Heart Institute noted, ‘If we give the molecules from the healthy fat, is it able to control or limit the tumor to some extent or control the inflammation because the inflammation, once things go uncontrolled, then it’s very difficult to control that one.’
Health professionals urge that the food choices we make could significantly influence cancer progression. Dr. Timothy Yeatman, a professor of surgery, stated, ‘It is well known that patients with unhealthy diets have increased inflammation in their bodies. We now see this inflammation in the colon tumors themselves, and cancer is like a chronic wound that won’t heal.’
Ganesh Halade provided an overview of the lab, where they study tumors from colorectal cancer patients. These tumors are handled with urgency, being frozen within 30 minutes of removal and kept for study via USF and TGH Cancer Institute’s Biobank.
The research uncovered an alarming excess of molecules that facilitate inflammation, alongside a deficit of those that aid in healing. These revelations lead to a focus on resolution medicine, an approach that aims to restore a balanced diet to potentially improve colorectal cancer treatment outcomes.
Dr. Yeatman elaborated on the significance of an intact immune system, stating, ‘A human’s immune system can be extremely powerful and drastically impact the tumor microenvironment, which is great if harnessed correctly for health and wellness.’ However, this balance is often disrupted when influenced by inflammatory lipids present in processed foods.
Resolution medicine targets inflammation through the incorporation of healthy, unprocessed foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Focus is also given to balanced sleep and exercise as complementary treatments.
Yeatman described the potential of this field, remarking, ‘This has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment, moving beyond drugs to harness natural healing processes.’ Early clinical trials exploring specialized forms of fish oil have begun to show positive outcomes in treating inflammation at its origination, with ongoing research at the TGH Cancer Institute concentrating on resolution medicine’s implications for patient care.
This study is backed by a substantial grant from the National Institutes of Health, amounting to $3.1 million over five years.
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