COLON POLYPS AND CALCIUM
You might be taking calcium to protect your bones, but did you know you’re getting a double benefit from the supplement? Calcium protects you against colon polyps. There are now several studies that show calcium and vitamin D do indeed work to prevent colon polyps. The latest research shows that colon polyps are the most dangerous types of polyps--those that are most likely to turn cancerous.
This new study, published in the latest issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, shows that taking extra calcium may have its greatest effect on advanced polyps, those most likely to become a colon cancer.
Inside the large intestine, or the colon, the last part of the GI tract, polyps can arise as an outgrowth from the lining of the colon. They grow slowly, and usually, colon polyps that are smaller than a pea aren't harmful. Most are benign, which means they are not cancer. But over time, some types of colon polyps can get larger, and turn into cancer. In fact, some colon polyps may already be cancerous.
There have not been any significant studies to show definitively that calcium has any effect on colorectal cancer risk itself, so perhaps all it does is prevent the smaller colon polyps from developing.
In this research, 930 patients who had just had a colon polyp were given either 1200 milligrams of calcium in the form of calcium carbonate or a placebo dummy pill to see if the calcium prevented a second colon polyp from appearing. Four years later, they had a follow-up colonoscopy which showed all types of colon polyps occurred less frequently in the calcium treated group than in the placebo group.
But when it came to the most advanced, dangerous colon polyps, those most likely to become cancerous, the calcium was shown to be most effective, cutting the risk of having one of these dangerous colon polyps by 35 percent. Dr. Mark Sapienza, a gastroenterologist at Englewood Hospital in New Jersey, says “I would recommend to patients that they consult with their physicians before starting any supplement. Generally calcium is well tolerated and there are no interactions, but there are patients, particularly those with kidney disorders, who should watch their calcium intake.”
There is evidence that one’s diet might affect the ability of calcium to provide protection against colon polyps. It was those who took in the highest amounts of calcium daily which saw the most protection. A high fiber diet also slightly promoted the calcium protective effect. A high fat diet slightly diminished the calcium benefit.
You should talk to your doctor about how much calcium you should be taking each day. Theoretically, more calcium might be better for preventing colon polyps, but there could be side effects.
It’s not certain how calcium prevents colon polyps, but its thought perhaps it binds to the fat in the intestines, blocking its ability to promote cancer. “This should not be misunderstood by the public as a way of obviating the need for colonoscopy which obviously is the most effective way of removing colon polyps and screening in the population,” says Dr. Sapienza.
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