According to a February 21 report by the UK's Daily Mail, a study indicates that consuming allium vegetables—including garlic, leeks, chives, and onions—significantly reduces the risk of colorectal cancer.
Previous studies have indicated that bioactive compounds in allium vegetables may prevent breast and prostate cancers. This latest research from the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University further demonstrates that onions, garlic, and other allium vegetables can effectively prevent colorectal cancer.
Each year, 42,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and over 16,000 die from the disease. This study suggests that consuming just one small onion daily may be sufficient for prevention. After surveying over 1,600 men and women, researchers found that those with the highest intake of allium vegetables had a 79% lower risk of colorectal cancer compared to those with the lowest intake.
Researchers stated that the more allium vegetables consumed, the greater the preventive effect against colorectal cancer. Eating at least 35 pounds (approximately 16 kilograms) of onions per year can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer—equivalent to consuming just 1.5 ounces (about 43 grams) daily. Additionally, researchers noted that cooking methods can affect the cancer-preventive properties of allium vegetables.For instance, cooking onions reduces their beneficial active compounds, while crushing fresh garlic releases its health-promoting substances.
Other Methods for Preventing Colorectal Cancer
Modifying Unhealthy Dietary Habits
Unhealthy dietary habits include: excessive consumption of high-fat, high-calorie, and high-cholesterol foods; overly refined diets; and overeating.Moderate consumption of these foods is beneficial; the problem lies in excess, which inevitably harms the body. It is believed that overindulging in greasy, rich foods impedes spleen and stomach function, leading to poor qi and blood circulation, qi stagnation and blood stasis, retained dampness, accumulation of heat toxins, and internal phlegm production. Stasis, phlegm, and toxins form the pathological basis for tumor development.Healthy dietary habits should emphasize light, balanced meals with a variety of plant and animal foods, ample fiber, and regular, measured portions.
Rectifying Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits
Unhealthy habits include irregular routines, lack of self-restraint, excessive exertion or idleness, and chronic sleep deprivation.Traditional Chinese medicine holds that irregular routines and reckless exertion inevitably deplete vital essence and blood, disrupting the body's yin-yang balance. This leads to deficiency of vital energy, dysfunction of organs and meridians, and over time, the internal generation of stasis, phlegm, and toxins. Consequently, the incidence of various tumors, including colorectal cancer, increases. Healthy lifestyle habits should include consistent exercise, balanced work and rest, regular sleep schedules, and adequate sleep.
Revising Unhealthy Bowel Habits
Unhealthy bowel habits include ignoring the urge to defecate, forcing oneself to hold it in, prolonged sitting on the toilet, and distractions during bowel movements. Chronic suppression of the urge to defecate can diminish the body's natural signal, eventually impairing intestinal motility. Prolonged retention of feces in the colon increases absorption of carcinogens and toxins, thereby raising the risk of colorectal cancer.Healthy bowel habits involve: establishing a regular schedule, valuing each urge to defecate, promptly relieving yourself when the urge arises, avoiding straining, maintaining focus during bowel movements, and limiting time spent on the toilet.
Addressing Negative Psychological States
Negative psychological states include: impatience and irritability, pessimism and despair, constant worry, self-doubt and timidity, fear and anxiety, and persistent gloominess.Occasional negative psychological shifts are generally harmless to health if promptly addressed. However, prolonged exposure to negative mental states inevitably impacts organ function and qi-blood circulation, leading over time to internal accumulation of stagnation, phlegm, and toxins—potentially developing into tumors and other diseases.A healthy psychological state should be characterized by emotional stability, positivity, contentment, tolerance, appropriate self-control, and effective coping mechanisms. Changing the Habit of "Neglecting Health Checkups" Early-stage colorectal cancer often presents no obvious clinical symptoms. By the time noticeable symptoms appear, many patients have already progressed to the middle or late stages. Therefore, regular health checkups are particularly crucial.Screening methods for colorectal cancer include fecal occult blood tests, digital rectal exams, barium enema examinations, and colonoscopies. Early detection and treatment significantly improve cure rates and extend survival time for patients.