Dr Karan Rajan revealed what items we should be picking up during our weekly shop which can boost our health Since we were all delivered a stark warning about a spike in the number cases of a hard-to-detect cancer, a lot of us have been taking stock of our health.
Maybe you’ve decided to get a bit more exercise in ahead of the New Year, are fine tuning your sleeping schedule or overhauling your diet.
And if it’s the latter, you ought to listen to Dr Karan Rajan’s advice about what you should be fuelling your body with.
They don’t say you are what you eat for nothing, you know.
Biohacker explains strict diet
Credit: YouTube/Bryan Johnson
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The social media medic, who is an NHS Surgeon and a lecturer at Sunderland University, shared a TikTok explaining how you can improve your gut health.
Maintaining a steady environment down there can help reduce your risk of bowel cancer (often referred to as colon or rectal cancer), which is currently on the rise.
Earlier this year, shocking figures from a study conducted by Lancet revealed that cases of it had increased starkly in those who are under 50 years old.
This type of the disease is when it’s found anywhere in the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum.
While it is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK, the symptoms can often be dismissed by patients as something else – but the NHS encourage early bowel cancer screenings as it may mean it’s easier to treat.
Bowel cancer cases are drastically on the rise, new research found (Getty Stock Image)
Researchers from the American Cancer Society, who also led the study, explained that our diet in the modern world could be the reason for the spike in cases.
The experts said that companies who make junk food had broadened their horizons and had began selling products in poorer countries, which then expands the ultra-processed-food diet above traditional meals.
The study found that the ‘steepest inclines’ in early cancer cases were noted in Chile (4%), New Zealand (under 4%), Puerto Rico (3.8%) and England (3.6%).
So, what you eat is very important – and experts have already been warning people not to overindulge in certain stuff.
But now, Dr Rajan has revealed what things we can eat to boost our gut health and dually reduce the risk of bowel cancer.
In a TikTok video, he explained that kiwi is a great fruit for this purpose, as it is ‘has been shown in research studies to be as effective as psyllium, husk and prunes to improve the symptoms of bloating and constipation’.
Dr Karan Rajan revealed what foods we can eat to improve our gut health (Getty Stock Image)
“Kiwi is particularly rich in soluble fibre, which promotes softer stools and increases stool frequency without the associated side effects of some laxatives,” he said.
Coffee came next, with Dr Rajan telling his followers that studies have shown it reduces the risk of fatty liver disease, as well as the development of liver cirrhosis and chronic liver disease.
He said that it contains a ‘double whammy of soluble fibres and polyphenols’, and that the latter act as prebiotics which feed your gut good bacteria.
The NHS medic also urged people to try and incorporate yoghurt into their diets, saying it is a product which is ‘loved by every GI, surgeon, doctor, or dietitian’.
Dr Rajan said he tries to eat it every day as the benefits are so good – while he also chows down on mixed nuts for the same reason.
He said that studies show that eating the likes of almonds, walnuts, and pistachios can do wonders for your gut health.
“Having a mixture of nuts give you a diverse range of prebiotic fibres, which promote microbiodiversity in your gut,” the TikTok star said.
“There are studies suggesting that regular nut consumption – around 20 to 30 grams a day – is associated with a reduction in corrector cancer risk, possibly by reducing inflammation and improving micronial biodiversity.”
So if the supermarket shelves are bare on the nut aisle, blame Dr Karan.Featured Image Credit: TikTok/Dr Karan Raj/Getty Stock Images
Topics: Health, Food And Drink, TikTok, Cancer
Olivia Burke
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Published 16:25 13 Dec 2024 GMT
Woman diagnosed with hard-to-detect cancer shares key symptoms she had as cases soar among young people
Diagnosed with stage three cancer in her 30s, she initially brushed off symptoms
A woman diagnosed with a hard-to-detect cancer shared the key symptoms she experienced as cases soar among young people.
Earlier this year, figures found that bowel cancer (often referred to as colon or rectal cancer) was rising in those under 50 years old.
This type of the disease is when it’s found anywhere in the large bowel which includes the colon and rectum.
While it is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK, the symptoms can often be dismissed by patients as something else – but the NHS encourage early bowel cancer screenings as it may mean it’s easier to treat.
And only in her 30s, TikToker Bri Mahon found she had stage 3 colorectal cancer.
Bowel cancer is said to be one of the hardest cancer to detect (Getty Images)
She shared a video to the social media platform to share all of her symptoms that led to her ‘getting checked out and getting a colonoscopy’.
Bri says she had ‘just gut issues in general’ for some time like bloating, adding that the signs ‘would point more towards Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)’.
But when she cut out the likes of gluten and dairy and took various allergy and blood tests, ‘nothing concerning came up’.
Feeling as though her stomach was ‘irritated and bloated a lot’, she then noticed a ‘change in her anxiety and fatigue’.
Around two years ago, she had to ‘step back’ from the work she was doing and thinks it’s because her body ‘was really, really, really tired’.
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The woman brushed off her symptoms. (Getty Stock)
Then after giving birth to her twins premature, she noticed blood in her stool shortly after, passing it off as ‘haemorrhoids from pregnancy’.
“My IBS symptoms were flaring up, and I just kind of thought that was it,” Bri added.
With her babies in the NICU, she was stressed out and tired anyway so justified any fatigue and stomach problems as being down to that.
“But it’s when I found and started to see more regular blood in my stool. I got pretty concerned as kind of like red blood,” she explained.
“And then I really got concerned when the blood turned a lot darker, and my urgency to go to the bathroom was kind of like out of control, and I would either be insanely constipated or I’d be going to the bathroom and just dark blood would be coming out.”
Bri says this only happened for a few months and it led to her calling her doctor.
At first, they thought it could be an autoimmune disease, but following a colonoscopy and biopsies, they found it was stage three cancer.
To the list of bowel cancer symptoms, the NHS include blood in your poo, bleeding from your bottom and feeling very tired for no reason.
If your poo is black or dark red or you have bloody diarrhoea, you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111.
If you’re bleeding non-stop from your bottom or there’s a lot of blood, for example, the toilet water turns red or you see large blood clots, then go to A&E or call 999.Featured Image Credit: brimahon / TikTok / Getty Images Stock
Topics: Cancer, Health, NHS, TikTok
Jess Battison
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Published 10:35 17 Dec 2024 GMT
Doctors issue warning of three new factors driving certain cancer type as cases skyrocket in young people
New research has revealed the possible cause of the surge in cases
Doctors have issued a warning to young people about three new factors that seem to be connected to a certain type of cancer that has seen cases skyrocket.
New research has pinpointed these factors which could be to blame for the global colon cancer epidemic among young people, as diagnoses continue to rise.
Colorectal cancers are increasing in young Americans, with diagnoses expected to rise by 90 percent by 2030 in those in their 20s and 30s.
Colorectal cancers are on the rise amongst young people (Getty Stock Image)
While bad diets and being overweight have been blamed, this doesn’t explain the surge in cases among those who are seemingly fit and healthy.
Now, a new review of over 160 studies has suggested that pesticides in food, toxins in drinking water and air pollution could potentially be the cause.
Yes, chemicals in food, air and water could potentially be to blame for the surge in cases – especially in America.
Research showed that this ‘complex interplay’ of factors changes bacteria in the gut, which consequently leads to chronic inflammation. This then leads to healthy cells being killed off and cancerous cells to grow.
It was also suggested that this increase in early-onset colorectal cancer, known as EOCRC, has long been i the making due to an increased exposure to pollutants, which can be traced back to 1950.
Chemicals in food, air and water could potentially be to blame for the surge in cases, according to recent research (Getty Stock Image)
In the journal Heliyon, researchers wrote: “Consequently, there is a pressing need for enhanced environmental policies aimed at minimizing exposure to pollutants, safeguarding public health, and mitigating the burden of EOCRC.”
The team, from Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, also said that gastrointestinal health is dependent on gut microbiome – a network of bacteria which regulates the digestive and immune systems.
A lifetime of exposure to things such as foods, antibiotics and chemicals can alter this system, leaving it in an ‘unstable state’ with dangerous bacteria overpowering healthy bacteria.
Researchers also noted the consumption of water that has been contaminated with heavy metals like lead and arsenic – the EPA has estimated that 9 million lead pipes are still in use across the US.
Environmental factors could be causing cancer in fit and healthy people (Getty Stock Image)
In a bid to gain an insight into the rising cases, the researchers also looked as environmental exposures in people born after 1950.
They highlighted a group of microscopic particles which are so small the nose and lungs cannot filter them out, known as PM2.5 or fine particulate matter.
These particles are emitted directly into the air from fossil fuels burned from factories, as well as gasoline-powered stoves and cars, and can easily travel to the bloodstream, leading to inflammation.
Researchers claimed PM2.5 triggers inflammation in the colon, which has been shown to cause the development of cancer cells and impact the immune system’s ability to fight them off.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Danni King
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Published 14:45 24 Jun 2024 GMT+1
NHS doctor says one diet can cut risk of cancer, dementia and heart disease
There is one regional diet that stands above the rest as the healthiest, apparently
A doctor has revealed the one diet that can cut our overall risk of life threatening diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
The NHS doctor is a practicing GP in London and highlighted that diets are key for maintaining long-term health, as well as pointing out how bad ones can cause ‘a huge number of deaths’.
Dr. Rupy Aujla has chosen to speak about the importance of food in our lives as massive pressure is put on the NHS after people eat poorly throughout their lives, causing problems later down the line.
Last week, the health professional spoke to Masterchef judge Gregg Wallace on the program, and discussed how food can improve your mental and physical health.
Diet is key to long-term health. (Getty Stock Photo)
Dr. Aujla spoke about how dementia is the ‘number one killer’ in the UK, calling it a ‘silent epidemic’ which could be helped by a healthier diet.
The expert also touched upon cancer, explaining: “Cancer, which is an umbrella term for a number of different cancers, many of which have different causes for the but in general, as part of a World Cancer Research fund study, 30 to 40 percent of cancers can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
The link between poor diet and health problems
“Poor diet is responsible for a huge number of deaths, a huge amount of ill health that we see within the NHS. For example, it costs about 20% of the NHS budget, which is the equivalent of about £20 billion per annum with obesity, which is the main thing people think about with nutrition,” he revealed.
However, there is one diet, backed up by studies, which he says reduces the risk of cardiovascular events, heart disease, dementia and cancer.
Mediterranean food might be the way forwards. (Getty Stock Photo)
The Mediterranean diet
Dr. Aujla revealed a trail that took place 20 years ago, that is now referred to as the ‘pre Med’: “A lot of people might have heard of it, and that showed that a Mediterranean style diet can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events by 30 percent.”
Apparently, a Mediterranean style diet is the best way to cut the probability of a number of health issues, as it consists of things like nuts, fish and good quality fats such as extra virgin olive oil, meat and a wide range of greens, he said on his podcast, A Piece of Cake.
The ‘most powerful medical tool’
Back on Masterchef, he called food ‘one of the most powerful medical tools’ that we have, with a number of serious conditions stemming from poor nutrition as well as the management pathway beforehand.
“There’s a high risk of cardio metabolic disease. So that’s a fancy word for saying cardiac disease Type two diabetes, which we know is hugely detrimental and puts you at further risk of things like dementia, but also the quality of life as well. There’s also a link between poor mental health and poor metabolic health as well,” the doctor explained.
Because of the range of healthy foods in the Mediterranean diet, it is considered one of the most balanced out there. (Getty Stock Photo)
He also said that inflammation may have a relationship to different chronic diseases, but it’s a key process used by your immune system to fight off pathogens.
The doctor explained further: “To fight off pathogens like bacteria and viruses is the reason why me and you can have this conversation in the middle of London and thrive when inflammation becomes excessive.
“That’s when some problems occur, and this is usually referred to as meta inflammation or long term, slow burning inflammation. And that is the foundation for blood pressure issues.”
Things such as fatigue, brain fog and pain have their roots in inflammation according to the medical expert, further highlighting the importance of a healthy diet, ad what we eat can affect how internally inflamed we can become.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Photos
Topics: Health, Lifestyle, NHS, Food And Drink
Joshua Nair
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Published 12:14 1 Aug 2024 GMT+1
Cancer dietitian says there’s one takeaway that she’d never touch
We apologise in advance
A oncology dietitian has revealed the one food she will never order from a takeaway as part of her cancer-prevention lifestyle.
Whenever we hear the word ‘cancer‘, we immediately think the worst as the disease is predicted to become 55 percent more prominent worldwide in the next 20 years, says Cancer Research UK.
And while cancer can often be out of your control, experts have suggested that it isn’t always down to just ‘bad luck’.
Meanwhile, Dr Nichole from the US focuses on cancer-prevention as she explains what types of food and drink she avoids.
A doctor who works in cancer prevention has advised against certain foods and drinks. (Getty Stock Image)
Taking to her TikTok account @oncology.nutrition.rd, she firstly revealed that she avoids ‘all types of alcohol, including red wine’.
She claims that red wine ‘is going to increase your risk of six different cancers’ and that’s because of ‘the ethanol within the alcohol’.
Dr Nichole explained: “So many people are encouraging, I see it all the time, to have alcohol to destress, to cope with emotion, to have fun, but really any consumption of alcohol, any, it’s just immediately started to increase your risk of cancer.
“So I don’t drink alcohol, take it out.”
Sadly, the doctor suggests to avoid, perhaps, the all-time favourite pizza topping in pepperoni.
You might want to think twice before ordering. (Getty Stock Images)
“I do not order a pepperoni pizza, processed meats increase colorectal cancer is, also at any consumption,” she said.
“Okay, so here’s the deal with alcohol and processed meats, those are the only two foods that increased risk of cancer, at any consumption.
“Alright, so processed meats, whether that’s pepperoni, hotdogs, deli meats, those pre cooked meats, any consumption of that it’s going to be increasing your risk of cancer.
“So I do not have pepperoni pizza. What I like to put on my pizza, I’ll have cheese or I’ll do vegetarian, I’ll do chicken or I’ll even get raw sausage from a store, cook that, and then I’ll make like a homemade pizza and put that on top of that.
“So, mostly chicken, mostly veggie, no pepperoni.
The expert also recommends ‘not to order too much red meat’.
“So red meat is not going to increase risk of cancer at consumption like alcohol and processed meats do, however, red meats will increase risk of colorectal cancer after 18 ounces a week,” she said.
“So what I do is I usually keep to about just one serving of red meat a week or I just don’t have any at all.
“And so when I’m going out to eat or cooking at home, I’ll build my meals around like chicken, turkey, fish, seafood, or even like different types of plant proteins like soy and things like that.
“So I don’t order a lot of red meat you can however remember 18 ounces a week is okay. But beyond that, then you’re increasing risk of colorectal cancer.”
Dr Nichole also claimed that sweeteners do not increase the risk of cancer.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.