Whole Wheat may help prevent colon cancer

August 19, 2003

Wheat May Help Prevent Colon Cancer

A new weapon has been discovered in the battle against disease: whole

grain wheat.

New research shows that wheat contains powerful antioxidants that can

help prevent colon cancer, and possibly diabetes and heart disease.

" In the past, we thought the fiber in wheat prevented cancer, " Kansas

State University biochemist Dolores Takemoto said. " This discovery

shows that there are antioxidants, in addition to fiber, which are

responsible for preventing cancer. "

With this information, Kansas scientists may be able to create

modified wheat strains with high levels of cancer-fighting chemicals.

" We hope we will be able to create a genetically modified plant, "

Takemoto said.

Wheat's antioxidants are important because they combat the body's

free-radicals. Free-radicals are charged particles that the body

produces, which, if they react harmfully, could cause damage.

" Throughout life, you make a lot of free-radicals, " Takemoto

said. " You want to keep them from forming because they contribute to

heart disease, cancer, diabetes, cataracts, even wrinkling. High

antioxidant levels mop up the free-radicals. "

The researchers are optimistic about the cancer-fighting potential of

wheat because they found several high antioxidant wheat strains

already exist.

" People worry about the antioxidants not surviving baking, but some

of the strains we tested had high antioxidant levels across the

board. These could be grown now and they do survive baking well, "

Takemoto said.

Antioxidants can be found in several vitamins, including vitamin E

and vitamin D, but research shows that eating whole grain products

and wheat germ is critical for the antioxidants to be absorbed.

" I like to argue against taking a pill, " Takemoto said. " Only very

stable vitamins provide the high levels of antioxidants needed, and

even then they don't have very long shelf lives.

" Many people use vitamin pills to compensate for a poor diet, but

including whole grain wheat into your regular diet will have greater

effects. "

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