by A significant gap could be a warning sign of colorectal cancer in young people.
Colorectal cancer has long been associated with older adults, particularly those over 65 years of age. However, rates have been steadily increasing among adults under 50 since the 1990s.
Joel Mason, a gastroenterologist at Tufts University, recently shared that rectal bleeding, a noticeable change in bowel habits, and iron deficiency anemia are common symptoms of colorectal cancer.
“I hate to raise the anxiety level of young people,” Mason said in June, “but the trends are very concerning and, overall, it may be worth making our young population a little more vigilant about symptoms to pay attention to.
Iron deficiency is considered one of the most common nutritional problems in the world.
A recent JAMA Network Open study found that 29% of U.S. adults have absolute or functional iron deficiencies, meaning that nearly one in three Americans may have an undiagnosed iron deficiency..
Absolute iron deficiency, especially prevalent among women, children, vegetarians and vegans, is characterized by a severe reduction or absence of iron “stores,” according to the American Society of Hematology.
In case of functional iron deficiency, iron stores are sufficient but the body cannot use them effectively.
Iron deficiencies compromise the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight disease.
Symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, weakness, cold extremities, chest pain, pale skin, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, and cravings for objects. non-nutritional like ice, soil, paper and even clay.
Foods rich in iron include red meat, poultry, fish, spinach, beans, whole grains and eggs.
Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, when your red blood cell count is low, your body has trouble absorbing iron, you don’t eat enough iron-rich foods, or you lose more blood than necessary. that your body can replace.
Anemia is present in 30 to 75% of colorectal cancer patients, according to a 2023 study.
Brooklyn-based cancer specialist Dr. Waqqas Tai recently explained, “There is no healthy reason why a man should be anemic. This is the #1 diagnosis we look for. And for women, if you don’t have heavy periods, you also shouldn’t have low hemoglobin and therefore will also need a colonoscopy.
But when it comes to iron, too much iron can be just as dangerous as not enough.
Research has shown that consuming too much iron over a lifetime can potentially increase the risk of lung and colorectal cancer. Researchers posit that tumors use excess iron to fuel their growth.
Excess iron can also build up in the liver, leading to toxicity.
This is why you need to find the right balance between iron deficiency and iron excess.
“Emerging evidence indicates that reduced iron intake and low systemic iron levels are associated with the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer, suggesting that optimal iron intake must be carefully balanced to avoid both iron deficiency and iron deficiency. iron and excess iron,” German scientists wrote in a 2021 study published in Frontiers. in immunology.
Iron supplementation can help achieve this balance.
One study found that 14 to 18 percent of Americans take a supplement containing iron.
“The iron in your body is called ‘elemental iron,'” Alannah McKay, a postdoctoral researcher in sports nutrition at the Australian Catholic University, said in August. “Choosing the right oral supplement and dose will depend on how much elemental iron it contains – your doctor will tell you exactly how much you need.”
