While the keto may help you lose weight, it could raise your risk of colon cancer, a study suggests.
A group of Canadian researchers found that low-carb diets such as keto may foster the growth of toxic compounds that are linked to colorectal cancer in the intestine.
They revealed not getting enough carbs can cause a strain of E coli bacteria naturally present present in the body to produce a toxin called colibactin.
They said colibactin can cause abnormal growths called polyps to form in the colon, which could develop into tumors.
The findings suggest that stripping carbs out of your diet could increase your risk of developing colon cancer, which has become increasingly prevalent in young Americans.
However, the scientists claim that more research is still needed. This is because not only was the study done in mice, but refined carbs have been linked to other health issues that can raise colon cancer risk, such as obesity.
Eating too many carbs, particularly refined sugars, has been linked to a host of health problems as well.
Fiber-rich foods like berries, lentils, and nuts, meanwhile, could lower the risk of cancer by helping stool move smoothly through the colon, they said.
The study concluded that a lack of carbohydrates and fiber dramatically increases cancer risk when combined with certain E coli bacteria
The above graph shows the rise of colorectal cancer in Americans under 50 over the past two decades. This shows the latest year for which data is available
Alberto Martin, a professor of immunology at the University of Toronto and senior author said: ‘Colorectal cancer has always been thought of as being caused by a number of different factors including diet, gut microbiome, environment and genetics.
‘Our question was, does diet influence the ability of specific bacteria to cause cancer?’
A low-carb diet cuts out foods like white pasta and bread and instead focuses on protein such as fish, fats such as nuts and avocados as well as non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli and celery.
The diet has been linked to several health benefits including stabilizing blood sugar levels, reducing insulin resistance in people with diabetes and improve cholesterol levels.
According to the latest data, seven percent of Americans – 23million – follow low-carb diets like keto, and interest in them has nearly doubled in the last decade.
Meanwhile, colon cancer has surged in young Americans, with diagnoses expected to nearly double from 2010 to 2030.
The American Cancer Society estimates over 154,000 Americans will be struck with the colon cancer this year, and just under 53,000 will die.
In 2023, about 19,550 people under age 50 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the US.
Researchers in the new study, published this week, examined mice that had already been affected with the bacteria Bacteroides fragilis, Helicobacter hepaticus or the E coli strain NC101.
The Bacteroides fragilis has long been known to produce a toxin that can cause inflammation and tissue damage in the colon – leading to colon cancer.
In the case of Helicobacter hepaticus, some studies have found that its presence in humans can statistically increase the probability of developing and dying from colon cancer.
Both Bacteroides fragilis and Helicobacter hepaticus are naturally found inside humans, primarily in the colon.
Bailey Hutchins of Tennessee, pictured at left, died of colon cancer earlier this year at age 26. Monica Ackermann of Australia, pictured at right, was just 31 when she was diagnosed with colon cancer
According to the study, the E coli strain NC101 has been found in about 60 percent of colorectal cancer cases
The mice were either fed a balanced, low-carb or Western-style diet.
Results found that the mice who were both infected with E coli NC101 and ate a low-carb diet produced a toxic compound called colibactin, which can damage colon cell DNA and cause polyps to form.
The NC101 strain of E coli has been found in about 60 percent of colorectal cancers.
E coli NC101, also known as gut-resident bacteria, is naturally found inside the intestines and helps break down food compounds as well as produce vitamins. While most E coli strains are harmless, NC101 has been linked to colorectal cancer.
The team also found that the same group of mice had thinner layer of mucus in their colon as compared to others – indicating that a lack of carbs can thin out the gut mucus layer.
The mucus layer acts as a protective shield between the bacteria in the gut and the cells underneath.
If the barrier weakens, more colibactin could reach the colon cells to cause genetic damage and drive cancer tumor growth.
The experts believe that a lack of carbohydrates can increase the risk of developing cancer when combined with E coli NC101.
The above shows the symptoms and their frequency in early onset patients, those who develop colon cancer before the age of 50, and late onset patients, those who develop the cancer after 50
On the other hand the team found a diet high in fiber – specifically a prebiotic fiber called inulin – may be able to reverse some of these effects.
Prebiotic fiber is a type of dietary fiber that selectively stimulates the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut, known as probiotics.
It helps improve gut health by stimulating beneficial bacteria, supports digestion and bowel movements along with enhancing immunity against digestive issues.
Garlic, asparagus, onions, leeks, and artichokes are all high in inulin.
The researchers did not find any significant association between the mice who had Bacteroides fragilis or Helicobacter hepaticus and were fed a low-carb diet with cancer.
Since the study was done on mice, the researchers said more human studies are needed to determine exactly how carbs and fibers are linked to colon cancer.
Martin said: ‘These findings could help inform dietary recommendations, probiotic safety guidelines and targeted prevention strategies for high risk individuals.
‘But at this point, I would agree it would be premature to recommend specific diets to lower the risk of colon cancer.’
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