watercress words by Dr Aletha

The World Health Organization has officially classified red meat and processed meat as carcinogens-that is, likely to cause cancer if eaten regularly and recommends

“reducing consumption of these products (red and processed meats) to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer” .
WHO

Benefits of eating vegetables

In another post I shared some related information about diet and the risk of colon cancer – what is the risk of cancer in people who do not eat meat, or who eat very little?

cows in a field — American beef is popular

NEJM Journal Watch (New England Journal of Medicine) published this report in 2015.

“Vegetarian Diets Are Associated with Lower Risk for Colorectal Cancer”

In this North American prospective study, researchers identified the eating habits of 78,000 adults for 7 years, A prospective study means the people studied are followed or observed over a continuing period of time, usually years.

Participants followed one of five diets:

Vegans: No eggs, dairy, fish, or meat
Lacto-ovo vegetarians: Eggs and dairy, but no fish or meat
Pescovegetarians: Eggs, dairy, and limited fish, but no meat
Semivegetarians: eggs, dairy, and limited fish plus meat (≤1 time per week)
Nonvegetarians: eggs, dairy, and fish plus meat (>1 time per week)

plate of vegetables — a meat free appetizer-hummus, cucumbers, crackers, and pita bread

results of the study

In that 7 years, 490 people developed colon cancer.

After adjusting for certain personal and clinical factors, they reported that all four vegetarian groups had a 22% lower risk of colon cancer than non vegetarians.

Most impressive was a 43% lower risk for the pescovegetarians.

They concluded that any diet in which fruit and vegetable intake is emphasized has health benefits, including lower risk for colon cancer. And that eating fish in particular may be even more beneficial in regard to colon cancer.

Vegetarian diets are popular for various reasons, some related to health, some related to concern for animals or the environment.

Besides cancer prevention, diets high in fruits and vegetables help to prevent and control

diabetes,
heart disease,
obesity, and
high blood pressure.

other resources

What the American Cancer Society says about diet and cancer.

More detail about the World Health Organization’s report on the link between red meat and cancer.

green leafy vegetables — Watercress and other greens are among the most nutritious vegetables.

Learn about Powerhouse Vegetables

sharing the HEART of staying healthy by eating

Dr. Aletha

(Several product links in this post are affiliate links which pay a commission)

Infantile colic, another medical mystery, baffles parents and doctors. Unlike renal (kidney) colic due to a stone, we don’t know what causes colic in babies. But whatever the cause, it frustrates and tires parents of affected infants.

Colic is defined as “paroxysms of inconsolable crying”. Since there are many reasons babies cry, ranging from wet diapers to hunger to serious illness, doctors have established specific diagnostic criteria for colic, since there is no diagnostic test for it.

Doctors consider the crying diagnostic of colic if it occurs

3 hours per day
More than 3 days per week
Longer than 3 weeks.

Possible causes for colic include

Changes in gut bacteria
Intolerance to cow’s milk protein or lactose
Gut inflammation
Poor feeding technique
Maternal smoking or other nicotine use

The episodes typically resolve by 3 to 6 months of age.No long term consequences result from colic, but parents and babies both need relief from the distress it causes.

Three strategies seem to be most helpful.

For breast fed infants,

Mother can try a low-allergen diet. This means restricting intake of cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy and fish.

fried eggs on toast

Another alternative is the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri (strain DSM 17938). Unfortunately in bottle fed babies, this seems to make colic worse.