Coconut Oil and Cancer: A Link Worth Noting

Posted by North Texas Cancer Center at Wise on November 18th, 2016

The American Cancer Society estimates more than 1.6 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in America alone in the coming year. Nearly 600,000 people will die from the disease. With cancer affecting almost everyone at some point in their lives, whether through personal diagnosis or that of a friend or loved one, prevention is crucial. One of the best preventatives many healthcare professionals say involves consuming a healthy, balanced diet. That means especially fatty foods, including coconut oil, should be viewed as off limits on a regular basis.

While coconut oil serves a number of valuable purposes in cosmetics and cooking, this particular item and others like it have been linked to a higher risk of intestinal tumors. Researchers have found, in fact, that certain fatty foods motivate immune inflammatory responses, which can trigger the development of cancer. This finding holds true whether a personal is obese or not, researchers say.

To arrive at those findings, researchers recently conducted a study using mice as the subjects. The mice were fed diets that were high in fats, especially corn, coconut and olive oil. Researchers ultimately found the mice who consumed coconut and corn oil began developing intestinal inflammation within a few days of starting the diets. Tumors were also noted. The same response was not noted in the mice given olive oil.

The bottom line, researchers say, is that people should become more aware of the additives placed in their food. Coconut and corn oil, for example, are found in many products, adding high fat content while potentially raising cancer risks.

People who wish to lower cancer risks can help themselves select a healthier diet by taking these steps and more:

•          Choose balance –Health diets are rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy. Balancing out choices daily and placing an emphasis on vegetables and fruits can position people to lower their personal cancer risks. While treats are acceptable, they should be selected in moderation.

•          Read labels – Many pre-packaged food items appear healthy, but they’re not. Read labels for unwanted ingredients, such as an overload of saturated fats.

•          Eat smaller meals – Smaller, more frequent meals can help keep weight in check. Obesity is strongly linked to many cancer types.

People who wish to lower their personal cancer risks are urged to speak with their healthcare providers. Doctors can help access risks and offer patient-specific advice for improving the odds. In the meantime, eating right, exercising and avoiding tobacco use can go a long way. As for coconut oil, it might be wise to use this common food additive in moderation.

About Author

North Texas Cancer Center at Wise, a division of Choice Cancer Care, is now operating as the Cancer Center at Wise Regional and is one of the most renowned cancer treatment centers in Texas.