You might call it a beer belly, but really, your gut's full of bugs. Trillions of tiny bacteria teem through your digestive system, serving important functions such as helping you break down food. Now, new research suggests people with colorectal cancer have fewer types of gastrointestinal germs.
New York University researchers analyzed the feces of 47 people with colorectal cancer and 94 without. There, they found evidence that cancer patients had, on average, fewer varieties of gut microbes. What's more, they had lower levels of bugs that help digest fiber and higher levels of those linked to inflammation of the mouth and colon.
Right now, scientists don't know whether the altered blend of bugs causes cancer or merely serves as a sign of having the disease, says study author Jiyoung Ahn, Ph.D. Nor do they know exactly what other factors throw off your bacterial balance, though they suspect diet and weight play a role. More research will shed light on the links--and potentially lead to new ways to treat or prevent cancer.
In the meantime, eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and fiber promotes good gut health and helps prevent obesity, a risk factor for colorectal cancer. And as you get older, talk to your doctor about colonoscopies. Recent Harvard University research found sticking to screening guidelines--which recommend most people start getting them at age 50--would prevent 40 percent of colorectal cancer cases.
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