Natural Cures for Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 106,000 people are diagnosed with the disease every year, and nearly 50,000 of those die as a result. Colon cancer, which is an abnormal growth in the colon or rectum, can be asymptomatic or reveal itself through rectal bleeding and stomach discomfort. It is typically diagnosed by a colonoscopy screening, and treatment can include surgery, radiation and, possibly, chemotherapy.

Colon Cancer Diet

• The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston conducted a study of more than 1,000 patients suffering from stage III colon cancer who were treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Researchers divided participants into two groups: one that ate a diet favored by Americans and other Western countries, and another that ate a diet consisting of fruit, vegetables and low-fat protein.
  Researchers concluded that the group that ate an American diet were three and a half times more likely to experience a recurrence of colon cancer than those who ate the fruit- and vegetable-infused diet. Further, they determined that individuals should consume five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day, as well as foods rich in folic acid, such as green leafy vegetables, mangoes, whole-grain breakfast cereals and berries.
  Roberta Anding, MS, RD, a clinical dietitian at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association says, "Diets low in folic acid may increase the risk of developing colon cancer, and also have accelerated growth in those who already have colon cancer."
  It's recommended that individuals consume 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams of low-fat dairy every day to improve colon health, as vitamin D and calcium work together to keep colon cancer away.

Melatonin

• Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, though it can also be man-made, and plays a role in regulating sleep cycles, reproduction and mood. The American Cancer Society explains that melatonin proponents believe its compound prevents free radicals from damaging healthy cells. Researchers also believe that because melatonin is suspected to carry antioxidant properties, it may repress cancer cell growth.
  Man-made melatonin is sold as a supplement in many health food stores but is also found in foods such as chicken, peanuts, almonds and milk. The American Cancer Society has no recommendation on amounts needed to block cancer growth.
  Researcher Barni P. Lissoni conducted a study on the effects of melatonin on 25 patients with advanced colon cancer who hadn't responded to chemotherapy or had relapsed. One group was given no additional treatment, while the other was given a combination of interleukin-2 and 40 milligrams of melatonin every day.
  Researchers found that nine of the 25 patients who took melatonin survived for one year versus only three patients who survived from the group given no additional assistance.
  The American Cancer Society says that low levels of melatonin are associated with the risk of some cancers and that the lives of those patients with an incurable cancer who took melatonin were extended. Other cancer groups who took melatonin experienced partial or full remission, while other people had no reaction to the substance.

Glutathione

• Glutathione is composed of three amino acids---cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine---and has shown promise in the fight against colon cancer due to its antioxidant properties. It has prevented cancer growth in test tube studies involving animals, and some human trials have been conducted.
  Researchers Girlat E. Garcia and Brixy F. Perdereau conducted a study of 11 patients with late-stage or terminal colon cancer. Each patient was given an 800-milligram glutathione supplement twice a dayfor at least three months. The supplement was combined with amino acid, cysteine and anthocyanins, which is a kind of flavonoid.