Indigestible Plant Material That Reduces Colon Cancer

According to information from the Mayo Clinic, cancers which begin in either the rectum or the large intestine proper are deemed to be colon cancers. Colon cancer produces a number of distinctive symptoms, including narrow stool, blood in the stool (or bleeding from the rectum) and digestive difficulties (pain, gas and bloating). You can reduce your risk of developing this disease through diet.

Dietary Fiber

• Fiber is the main source of indigestible plant material that you should be including in your diet in order to reduce your risk of developing colon cancer. The two types of fiber are soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is fiber that becomes a gel-like substances in the stomach, helping food pass through your bowels more easily. Insoluble fiber moves through your digestive system largely intact, helping to "scrub" the interior of your small intestine and colon, effectively cleaning out your digestive organs. Examples of insoluble fiber to include in your diet are leafy green vegetables, fruits containing skin, whole wheat products, nuts and seeds. Examples of soluble fiber sources include less solid fruits like oranges and some vegetables like carrots, beans and peas. According to information from the medical news site Medscape, increased consumption of dietary fiber from sources like fruits, vegetables and grains decreases the risk of developing colon cancer.

Dietary Fiber Diet

• Consume between 25 and 35 grams of fiber per day from indigestible plant material, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Each meal you consume should have at least one serving of fruits or vegetables and one serving of whole grains. The remainder of your diet should contain lean protein sources such as seafood, chicken and turkey, while avoiding red meat as much as possible and limiting your consumption of dietary fat to less than 30 percent of your total daily calories.