Resistant starch reduces the risk of certain hereditary cancers by roughly half.
Lynch syndrome increases a person’s risk of having several types of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer. It is an inherited condition, affecting one out of 279 people worldwide and accounting for 2 to 4 percent of all colorectal cancer cases and 2.5 percent of endometrial cancer cases. Findings from a recent study suggest that supplemental resistant starch reduces the risk of cancer among people with Lynch syndrome.
Resistant starch is a type of carbohydrate that resists digestion in the small intestine. Instead, resistant starch undergoes microbial fermentation in the colon, providing nutrients for the microbes, and producing butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that supports the health of colonocytes – the cells that line the colon and rectum (the end portion of the colon). Foods that contain resistant starch include breads, pasta, legumes, nuts, seeds, bananas, and starchy vegetables, such as potatoes. A 3-ounce portion of baked potatoes typically provides 3.6 grams of resistant starch. Evidence suggests that resistant starch consumption alters microRNA expression, potentially moderating the cancer risks associated with red meat consumption.
The study was part of the CAPP2 trial, an ongoing investigation to identify strategies that reduce the risk of certain hereditary cancers. The study involved nearly 1,000 adults (average age at recruitment, 45 years) who had Lynch syndrome. Half of the participants took 30 grams of resistant starch daily for an average of two years, while the other half took a placebo. The investigators tracked the participants for up to 20 years to see if they developed Lynch syndrome-related cancers.
They found that resistant starch did not reduce the incidence of colorectal cancers, but it did reduce the incidence of other Lynch syndrome-related cancers (especially those of the upper digestive tract) by roughly half. The protective effect of resistant starch on cancer incidence endured for approximately 10 years after discontinuation of the supplement.
These findings suggest that resistant starch protects against certain forms of hereditary cancers and underscores the role of diet in preventing cancer. For example, some evidence suggests that ketones exert anti-tumor effects. Learn more in this clip featuring Dr. Dominic D'Agostino.
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