An Epidemiological Study on Relationship between Intake of Dietary Fiber and Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

The relationship between dietary factors, especially dietary fiber (DF), and the occurence of colorectal cancer (CC) was studied.
Forty-five cases with CC and 45 cases having no gastrointestinal disease were subjected to the study. Meals were weighed for three consecutive days according to National Nutrition Survey, and daily intake of DF and nutrients were caluculated.
DF intake in CC-group was 14.9g/day and was significantly less than that in control group (19.9g/day). In addition, intake of proteins, fats and carbohydrates was significantly lower in CC-group as compared to control group.
Ratios of total calolie/DF and Fat/DF were higher, but not significantly, in CC-group than in control group. In conclusion, it was thought that DF might have a protective effect against colorectal cancer, and that the balance between DF intake and intake of other nutrients appeared to play an important role in the development of colorectal cancer.