Fiber-Rich Diet Lowers Cancer Radiation Induced Inflammation

Fiber rich diet could significantly reduce radiation-induced gut inflammation, according to a new study.

The researchers found that dietary oat bran can reduce chronic gastrointestinal damage which is caused due to radiotherapy.

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‘Fiber rich diet with dietary oat bran can reduce inflammation and chronic gastrointestinal damage which is caused by radiation. This could improve long-term, and possibly life-long, intestinal health among cancer survivors.’
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Cancer patients are generally advised to follow a restricted fiber diet because it is thought to worsen bloating and diarrhea. These are common side effects of radiotherapy.

This advice is not very evidence-based as insufficient fiber potentially being counterproductive and worsens gastrointestinal toxicity.

The study compared the effects of high-fiber and no-fiber diets. The researchers found that a fiber-free diet is worse for people who are undergoing radiotherapy treatment.

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A no-fiber diet generated inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines are present for a long time after radiation. It results in increased inflammation of the digestive system.

A fiber-rich diet decreases the presence of cytokines. It reduces the radiation-induced inflammation, both in short and the long term.

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Many cancer survivors have intestinal issues after radiation. In Europe, around one million pelvic-organ cancer survivors suffer from compromised intestinal health due to radiation-induced gastrointestinal symptoms.

It is the same in Australia and around the world where there is no immediate cure or treatment.

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"If we can prevent some of the inflammation resulting from radiation simply by adjusting dietary fiber levels, we could improve long-term, and possibly life-long, intestinal health among cancer survivors," said Dr Andrea Stringer.

Source-Medindia