Do those with gluten sensitivity and celiac disease have an increased risk for developing this deadly disease? We will get to that shortly. First let’s dive into some statistics and facts around this deadly disease. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 1.5 million new cases diagnosed per year. About 40% of American adults are expected to develop cancer at some point in their life. And the World Health Organization predicts cases worldwide to rise by 70% over the next 30 years. All that being said, it is estimated that 1/2 of all cancers are caused by lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise.
Risk Factors of Cancer
There isn’t one single cause or risk factor when it comes to cancer. It’s usually a combination of factors. And the contributing factors may be different from one person to the next.
Lifestyle-Related Risk Factors
It’s estimated that 33 – 50% of all cancers can be prevented by making healthier lifestyle choices. This means a vast majority of cancer risk factors are within your control.
Four well-studied lifestyle risk factors include:
- Poor diet
- Tobacco use
- Alcohol abuse
- Physical inactivity
Obesity, which can be triggered by the above risk factors in addition to others, also plays a role in the onset of cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) estimates that obesity causes 25% of kidney cancers, 11% of colon cancers, 39% of uterine cancers, and 9% of breast cancers in postmenopausal women.
The Connection Between Gluten and Cancer
Research has shown an increased risk of developing cancer for those with gluten sensitivity who fail to follow a strict gluten free diet. For cancers of the mouth, esophagus and pharynx, there was a 22.7% increased relative risk. For lymphoma, there was a 77.8% increased relative risk.
Other research studies have shown that those with celiac disease who fail to comply to gluten free dietary restrictions have an increased risk for cancers of the intestine, colon, rectum, esophagus, thyroid, pancreas, skin, liver, and stomach.
Can Gluten & Grains Cause Cancer?
There’s no denying the fact that gluten can cause significantly more harm than an upset stomach. The truth is a daily diet rich in gluten, grains, and processed foods can lead to cancer. Inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, environmental toxins, hormonal imbalances, and calorie excesses are key driving forces.
The big take away from most of this research, is that if you adhere to a gluten free diet, your risk of developing cancer is not increased.
So if you haven’t already, go change your, diet and make healthier lifestyle choices. It might just save your life. Gluten has an overwhelmingly strong connection with cancer, for a complete breakdown concerning this topic the following article has great information.
Source: Dr. Peter Osborne – The Gluten Free Warrior
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