High-Choline Diet Can Increase Risk of Colorectal Polyps
Dietary sources of the nutrient choline are red meat, eggs, poultry and dairy product.
Choline is involved in the biochemical process known as one-carbon metabolism.
As opposed to expected, diets high in choline have been found associated with an increased risk of some colorectal polyps – which can (but do not always) lead to colorectal cancer.
Such were the findings of a study published online in the August 7 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute:
“Although our results were contrary to expectation based on choline’s role [in one-carbon metabolism], there is a potential biologic basis for the positive association that we observed…Once a tumor is initiated, growth into a detectable [polyp] depends in part on choline availability because choline is needed to make membranes in all rapidly growing cells.”
The authors admit though that these findings need to be replicated in other studies in order to confirm the mechanism involved in this association.
Colorectal polyps are growths that stick out of the lining of the colon or rectum. While usually benign, it should be removed because it can cause painless rectal bleeding and over time may lead to cancer.
Find more details from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Tags: choline, colorectal-cancer, colorectal-polypsRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Colon cancer
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