Probiotics May Help Prevent Colorectal Cancer, Says Expert

By Erda Khursyiah Basir KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- Consuming probiotics may reduce one's risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to a local food toxicology expert. Probiotics, which comprise live bacteria or microorganisms said to be good for one's digestive system, play an important role as they help to act as a barrier to prevent harmful bacteria from colonising the intestines, said Dr Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis, a senior lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia's Faculty of Food Science and Technology. He said eating a diet rich in fibre, fruits and vegetables alone was not as effective as supplementing with probiotics to ward off colorectal cancer. "While it's good to eat foods with high fibre content, probiotics have more advantages as they produce lactic acid which can help to lower the pH of intestines and inhibit bacterial 'villains' such as Clostridium, Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli. "Priobiotics also help to decrease the production of various toxic or carcinogenic metabolites," he told Bernama after giving a talk on colorectal cancer prevention, here recently. The talk was held in conjunction with Yakult Malaysia Sdn Bhd's Cancer Awareness Campaign 2016. Colorectal cancer refers to cancer of the colon and the rectum. According to the National Cancer Society Malaysia, currently colorectal cancer makes up 12.1 per cent of all cancer cases in the country. It is also the second most common cancer, after breast cancer, in Malaysia, affecting about 2,900 people each year. PROMOTE LACTOSE TOLERANCE Probiotics also aid in the absorption of minerals, especially calcium, and produces enzymes that can break down lactose, Dr Ahmad Faizal said, adding that this would be of help to lactose-intolerant individuals. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose - a sugar found in milk and to a lesser extent dairy products - and it can cause side effects like bloating, abdominal cramps or loose stools. "Probiotics also produce a wide range of anti-microbial substances such as acidophilin and bacteriocin (that can kill harmful microorganisms) and control pathogenic bacteria (that can cause infections). They also help produce vitamins, especially vitamins B and K," said the expert. Probiotics occur naturally in, among others, yoghurt; kefir, which is a milky beverage originating in Russia and Turkey; kimchi, a traditional Korean side dish made by fermenting cabbage, cucumber or radish; and tempeh, which is made from fermented soybeans. Probiotics supplements are also available in the form of capsules, liquids and chewables. There are many different strains of probiotics, but the most common ones available are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. WHAT IS COLORECTAL CANCER? On the causes of colorectal cancer, Ahmad Faizal said excessive intake of saturated fats and red meats, overeating, obesity and smoking were among the contributing factors. "Inflammatory bowel disease and a family history of cancer are also likely to contribute to colorectal cancer," he added. Throwing some light on how the cancer developed, he said it all begins with polyps that are formed when the normal cells in the lining of the colon or rectum begin to mutate and grow without control. "Polyps are usually non-cancerous but if a polyp is allowed to remain in the colon, it can grow into a cancerous tumour that can invade other organs," he explained. Symptoms of colorectal cancer include change in bowel habits, constipation, feeling of fullness in the bowel or rectum, feeling that the bowel did not empty completely after a bowel movement, blood in stools, rectal or anal pain, unexplained weight loss and fatigue, and anaemia or iron deficiency. "People should go for a check-up or early screening if they have any of these symptoms. With early detection, the cancer can be cured. "But prevention is always better than cure," said Dr Ahmad Faizal, adding that survivors could suffer a relapse because there was a possibility of the cancer cells regrowing. -- BERNAMA