November 2, 2004 – Could the action of probiotics possibly help prevent colorectal cancer, the second most important cancer in industrialized countries? This is the hope provided by the results of research carried out in the laboratory as well as in animals.
The topic of the last conference of the symposium was highly anticipated. Professor Ian Rowland from Ulster Coleraine University in Northern Ireland spoke about the work he is doing – like other researchers around the world – on probiotics and prebiotics as cancer prevention tools. colorectal.
According to the Pr Rowland, studies in vitro just asin vivo in rats show that probiotics, more particularly bifidobacteria, act during each phase of cancer development, thus playing a leading role in disease prevention.
In rats, probiotics not only prevented the DNA damage that causes this type of cancer, but they have also been shown to suppress precancerous lesions. In fact, these lesions would have been reversed by the administration of particular strains of bifidobacteria and the effect would have been increased by the addition of prebiotics. Prebiotics are special soluble fibers that promote the growth of bifidobacteria.
Bifidobacteria could have a promising future in the prevention and control of colorectal cancer. They seem to prevent the formation of benign tumors – polyps – which are the cause of cancerous tumors. By increasing the immune response of the intestinal wall, the bifidobacteria cause cancer cells to die.
Although no clinical research has yet been conclusively conducted, Pr Rowland is hopeful for the future. It should be noted that the research results he mentioned were obtained through the use of very specific strains of probiotics.
Jean-Yves Dionne and Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net