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| Low-carb diet 'cancer risk' claim | Low-carb diet 'cancer risk' claim |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Low-carbohydrate diets may increase the risk of people suffering bowel cancer, scientists have claimed. | Low-carbohydrate diets may increase the risk of people suffering bowel cancer, scientists have claimed. |
| Researchers from Aberdeen's Rowett Research Institute believe there is a link between eating less carbohydrate and reducing cancer-fighting bacteria. | Researchers from Aberdeen's Rowett Research Institute believe there is a link between eating less carbohydrate and reducing cancer-fighting bacteria. |
| The Rowett study saw 19 overweight men given three diets containing different levels of carbohydrate. | The Rowett study saw 19 overweight men given three diets containing different levels of carbohydrate. |
| Low-carbohydrate diets, such as Atkins, have their critics, however supporters say studies have shown effectiveness. | |
| In the long run, it is possible that such diets could contribute to colorectal cancer Prof Harry FlintRowett Research Institute | In the long run, it is possible that such diets could contribute to colorectal cancer Prof Harry FlintRowett Research Institute |
| The researchers said they had discovered a link between consuming carbohydrate and the production of a fatty acid in the gut that protects against colorectal cancer. | The researchers said they had discovered a link between consuming carbohydrate and the production of a fatty acid in the gut that protects against colorectal cancer. |
| The acid, called butyrate, is produced by bacteria and helps kill off cancerous cells. | The acid, called butyrate, is produced by bacteria and helps kill off cancerous cells. |
| The researchers said they found low-carbohydrate regimes could cause a four-fold reduction in the cancer-fighting bacteria. | The researchers said they found low-carbohydrate regimes could cause a four-fold reduction in the cancer-fighting bacteria. |
| The diets start by reducing carbohydrate intake, including foods such as potatoes and bread. | The diets start by reducing carbohydrate intake, including foods such as potatoes and bread. |
| The researchers said the danger comes if dieters are tempted to keep the level low. | |
| 'Preventable disease' | |
| They said the study showed a low carbohydrate group consuming only 24g a day - behind the high intake group at 400g - saw a four-fold drop in the level of the cancer-fighting bacteria. | They said the study showed a low carbohydrate group consuming only 24g a day - behind the high intake group at 400g - saw a four-fold drop in the level of the cancer-fighting bacteria. |
| Prof Harry Flint, who led the research, said: "In the long run, it is possible that such diets could contribute to colorectal cancer. | Prof Harry Flint, who led the research, said: "In the long run, it is possible that such diets could contribute to colorectal cancer. |
| "It is a preventable disease, and there is evidence that poor diet can increase your risk." | "It is a preventable disease, and there is evidence that poor diet can increase your risk." |
| He said it was likely the results would be the same in women. | He said it was likely the results would be the same in women. |
| Professor Annie Anderson, Dundee-based nutritional adviser to Bowel Cancer UK, said: "Compared to other low fat diets, there is little merit in low carbohydrate diets, apart for the fact that that they can help people to lose weight. | |
| "There are no long term benefits to cutting down on fruits and fibre, for example, in bread, and as this report shows, doing so is likely to have a negative impact on your bowel health and may increase your risk of bowel cancer." |