Unfortunately, there is no special diet that can prevent the recurrence of polyps or colorectal cancer. But based on the evidence available to date, cancer experts suggest this recipe for healthier eating:
- Get most of your foods from plant sources (fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, dry beans, and nuts)
- Avoid processed foods, including processed meats and refined grains
- Choose chicken, fish, or beans as your protein foods instead of red meat
- Avoid junk food, including sodas and sugar-laden snacks
- Limit alcoholic drinks to one or fewer a day
To reduce your risk of colorectal cancer, try to get most of your nutrients from foods rather than supplements. For example:
Dry beans may protect against cancer. Findings from the Polyp Prevention Trial, which looked at dietary factors that impacted adenoma recurrence in more than 2,000 men and women, suggest an improved outlook for people with a history of polyps who eat plenty of cooked dry beans.
According to the researchers, dry beans have a wide range of nutrients that may be protective against cancer. They also have a low glycemic index, meaning that dry beans cause a slower rise in blood sugar compared with white bread. Low-glycemic foods have been associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer in a number of primary prevention studies.
Calcium. According to a recent study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, use of a calcium supplement for at least four years may protect against recurrent colorectal adenomas for up to five years after you stop using them. These results are from the 11-year Calcium Polyp Prevention Study, which followed more than 800 people who previously had a colorectal adenoma.
Folic acid. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that not only do folic acid supplements not decrease the risk of colorectal tumors, they might actually increase the risk of recurrence in people with a history of colorectal adenomas.
For now, the best advice is to get your folic acid from foods that naturally contain high amounts -- citrus fruits and dark green leafy vegetables, especially spinach -- and to avoid folic acid supplements unless directed to take them by your doctor.
