A recent study conducted by scientists from Brigham and Women’s Hospital has unveiled a concerning association between a Western-style diet and a higher risk of colorectal cancer, mediated through the gut microbiota.
This research, led by Shuji Ogino and published in Gastroenterology, sheds light on the potential role of dietary patterns in colorectal cancer development.
The study encompassed data from more than 134,000 participants enrolled in two U.S.-wide prospective cohort studies.
Researchers meticulously examined dietary habits and DNA extracted from Escherichia coli strains discovered in over 1,000 colorectal tumors.
Key findings from the study include:
The Western-style diet, characterized by its abundance of red and processed meat, sugar, and refined grains/carbohydrates, was linked to an increased presence of a specific bacterial strain known as polyketide synthase (pks)+ E. coli in colorectal tumors.
The research focused on identifying bacterial strains carrying the genetic island polyketide synthase (pks+). This island encodes an enzyme known to induce mutations in human cells.
The study’s overall findings suggest that individuals adhering to a Western-style diet exhibited a higher likelihood of having colorectal tumors with elevated levels of pks+ E. coli. In contrast, tumors with minimal or no pks+ E. coli were not significantly associated with this dietary pattern.
This groundbreaking research is the first to establish a direct link between the Western-style diet and the presence of specific pathogenic bacteria in colorectal cancer.
It underscores the potential role of dietary choices in colorectal cancer risk, highlighting the significance of dietary modifications in cancer prevention.
The next step for researchers is to delve deeper into understanding which components of the Western-style diet and lifestyle are specifically related to the presence of this bacterial species in colorectal cancer.
This investigation promises to advance our knowledge of the intricate interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and cancer, potentially paving the way for more targeted prevention strategies.
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