Resistant Starch May Lower Bowel Cancer Risk

ADELAIDE, AustraliaConsumption of resistant starch leads to positive changes in the bowel and offer potential to help protect against bowel cancer, according to a new study in published in the Journal of Nutrition. Thee findings reinforce the fact that dietary fiber is beneficial for human health, but go further to show that fiber rich in resistant starch is even better.

Researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organizations (CSIRO) Food Futures Flagship said Western diets are typically low in fiber and have been linked with a higher incidence of bowel cancer. And while Australians eat more dietary fiber than many Western countries, bowel cancer is still the second most commonly reported cancer in Australia.

We have been trying to find out why Australians arent showing a reduction in bowel cancer rates and we think the answer is that we dont eat enough resistant starch, which is one of the major components of dietary fiber," said lead researcher Dr. David Topping. We studied various sources of resistant starch, including corn and wheat, and the results suggest they could all protect against DNA damage in the colon, which is what can cause cancer."

For this study, the team genetically engineered wheat with higher levels of the resistant starch amylose. The wheat had the same positive effect as other resistant starch sources in mice fed high amounts of protein and fat.

We have already had success in developing barley with high levels of resistant starch, and now our focus is on increasing the levels of resistant starch in commonly consumed grains like wheat.  These grains could then be used in breads and cereals to make it easier for Australians to get enough resistant starch from their diet."