Can probiotics help colon cancer?

​What is COLON CANCER? The cells of colorectal cancer have high levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme which increase reproduction of cancer cells, facilitates the conversion of several procarcinogens into carcinogens, production of oxygen-free radicals, and resistance to cell death. Risk factors for colon cancer include low fiber diet less than 25-30 grams a day, high red meat diet, high protein diet with more than 142 grams a day. Prolonged gastrointestinal transit time more than 30 hours, chronic overeating. Elevated iron load, and trans fatty acids from deep-frying food. To reduce risk factors, eat fresh, unprocessed vegetables, legumes, grains, fruits, seafood. Strictly limit red meat. What are PROBIOTICS? Inside our human body there are living bacteria, fungi, parasites, that together are called human microbiome. In the gastrointestinal tract, these microorganisms are called gut microbiome, which consists of about 400 strains. The living microbes, the good bacteria, that provide a therapeutic benefit to the human body are called probiotics. Probiotics help the body metabolize foods, absorb nutrients, and block colonization of the gut by bad bacteria by competing with them for living space and nutrients. There are also prebiotics, which are food for probiotics. Inulin is a fructan dietary fiber commonly used as prebiotic. There are also synbiotics, a combination of probiotics and prebiotics. When you buy probiotics, look for products that contain live and active cultures, which contain viable probiotics. Commercially available probiotic products are not all the same, even if they contain the same or similar strains. Each company that produces them may have different manufacturing methods, storage, and strains. Furthermore, probiotics containing multiple strains are not necessarily more effective than single strain probiotics. If you are taking antibiotics, consider taking probiotics as well. Start the probiotic within 2 days of starting antibiotics and continuing for at least 3 days after antibiotic treatment is completed. Take the probiotics at least 2 hours after you take the antibiotics. The strains with the best supporting evidence are Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus GG. If you choose a product with Saccharomyces boulardii, take 10 billion colony-forming units (CFU) twice daily. If you choose a product with Lactobacillus GG, take 10 to 20 billion colony-forming units (CFU) daily. If you are immunocompromised or have leaky gut, use probiotics with caution or avoid them.

A lower incidence of colon cancer has been associated with the consumption of lactobacilli or bifidobacteria. Epidemiologic studies suggest that high consumption of meat increases the activity of enzymes like nitroreductase, azoreductase, and beta-glucuronidase which progress colon cancer. A change in the diet together with probiotics like Lactobacillus acidophilus seemed to reduce the expression of these enzymes.

​References Natural Medicines 2019. Braun, Lesley, and Marc Cohen. Herbs & Natural Supplements: an Evidence-Based Guide. 4th ed., Elsevier Australia, 2015. Gorbach, S L. “The intestinal microflora and its colon cancer connection.” Infection vol. 10,6 (1982): 379-84. doi:10.1007/BF01642307.