Risk of Developing Pancreatic Cancer Cut by 40% thanks to Wh

Risk of Developing Pancreatic Cancer Cut by 40% thanks to Whole Grains

A new study out of the University of California at San Francisco, and published in the American Journal of Epidemiology has shown that in eating a diet that is high in fiber rich foods and whole grains, a person has the chance to lower their risk of pancreatic cancer.

Whole Grain & Pancreatic Cancer

Each year in the United States of America, over 37,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and just over 34,000 people die from it. In Europe, that number is even higher, with 60,000 people diagnosed each year. Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the pancreas, an organ in the digestive system.

“There is a possibility that diet can affect one’s risk of pancreatic, as well as other cancers,” researcher June M. Chan said, “and that eating a diet rich in a wide variety of grains is likely to not only help in the prevention of diabetes and heart disease, but also this very deadly cancer.”

University of California researchers examined the grain intake of 2,233 San Franciscans, who were relatively similar in age, body weight and gender distribution. However of the number, 532 had already been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and were also detailed as being more likely to be smokers.

In their research they found that those they surveyed who ate two or more servings of whole grains per day were 40% less likely to suffer from pancreatic cancer, than those who ate less than two servings per day. Likewise, but focusing more on fiber, they found that those who ate 26.5 grams or more fiber daily were 35% less likely of contracting pancreatic cancer.

Whole grains are cereal grains that retain their levels of bran, germ and endosperm, compared to refined grains which only retain the latter. Spend any amount of time in front of a television, and you will no doubt be told that eating a healthy breakfast of bran is good for your digestive track and healthy living.

Whole Grain & Pancreatic Cancer

In fact, you will probably have already encountered health advice along these lines. Eating whole-wheat bread or brown rice, compared to their “white” relatives, is good advice, to say the least.

The researchers believe that there seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding of what is good and bad for you. They found that those who ate two or more servings per week of donuts or cooked breakfast cereals, were more likely to contract pancreatic cancer than those who ate less than one serving per month. They speculate that many are simply unable to distinguish between the above mentioned whole grain and refined grain breakfast cereals. Subsequently, this misunderstanding could be a clue as to why their findings appeared as they did.

“The risk reductions associated with some whole grain foods and fiber provide general support for the hypothesis that whole grains are better than more refined and sweetened grains for pancreatic cancer prevention,” Chan said.

Source...

http://www.organichealthblog.com/2008/risk-of-developing-pancreatic-cancer-cut-by-40-thanks-to-whole-grains/