Health

Calcium Reduces Colon Cancer Risk

0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Calcium Reduces Colon Cancer Risk

Taking calcium supplements can decrease the risk of all types of colorectal polyps, especially advanced colorectal cancer tumors, U.S. researchers found.

The risk of colorectal adenomas, considered to be most strongly associated with invasive colorectal cancer, can be reduced by the supplements, said researchers at Dartmouth Medical School.

The researchers analyzed data from 913 patients enrolled in the Calcium Polyp Prevention Study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial -- meaning neither the patient nor the researchers knew which treatment was being administered. Patients took either a 1200 milligram calcium supplement or a placebo and had a follow-up colonoscopy one and four years after enrolling in the trial.

The results showed that supplemental calcium slightly decreased the risk of all types of colorectal polyps, but effect was greatest for the most advanced colorectal lesions.

There also was some evidence a diet high in fiber and low in fat increased the preventive effect of calcium, but the results were not conclusive