Drinking Milk May Prevent Colon Cancer

buy microsoft office enterprise 2007

buy Microsoft Office 2003 Professional sp3buy autodesk autocad 2009

Drinking Milk May Prevent Colon Cancer

One of the most prevalent cancers in First-World nations is colorectal cancer. Although research suggests that calcium exerts a protective effect against these cancers, few studies have examined the relationships of the consumption of milk, lactose, and fermented milk products with colorectal cancer.

Finland has one of the highest per- capita rates of milk consumption in the world; lactose is found almost exclusively in milk. To evaluate the association between consumption of dairy products (including calcium, vitamin D, and lactose intake) and the risk for colorectal cancer, colorectal cancer cases reported by the Finnish Cancer Registry were determined over 24 years.

Results: Subjects who consumed the most milk and milk products (e.g., ice cream and cheese) were less likely to develop colon cancer than those who consumed the least. There was no significant link between rectal cancer and milk/milk product consumption. Those with high lactose intakes also had a reduced risk of colon cancer, but vitamin D and calcium intake did not reduce colorectal cancer risk.

The authors write that this study suggests an inverse relationship between milk consumption and colon cancer, possibly due to the presence of lactose. They add, "Intake of lactose can favor the growth of lactic acid bacteria, which may have antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties."