Scientists Link Lack Of Fruit to Cancer

A lack of fruits and vegetables and a high intake of alcohol may increase a person's risk of colon cancer by as much as 300 percent, according to a study released this week by the Harvard School of Public Health.

Fruits, vegetables, fish and low-fat dairy products contain high levels of the amino acid methionine, which is important in preventing colon cancer, and folic acid, which is used by the body to make methionine.

Harvard researchers report in this week's issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that the anti-cancer activity of methionine is disrupted by alcohol in the body.

The study found that men who had diets low in methionine and folic acid and at the same time had an average of two drinks a day or more were at a greater risk for colon cancer than those who had a diet high in nutrients and who drank alcohol at more moderate levels.

Dr. Edward L. Giovannucci, instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and lead author of the study, said the results indicate the "empty calorie diet" is a major factor in increasing one's risk of colon cancer. "People eat a lot of potato chips and pretzels and don't get the nutrients they need," he said.

Researchers based their results on a study of 51,529 American male health care professionals tracked from 1986 to 1992. The study included dentists, optometrists and other health care providers between the ages of 40 and 75. "We picked this group of the population because they provide good information about their dietary habits," Giovannucci said.

The men in the survey were grouped into five categories based on their level of consumption of folic acid. Those who consumed the least folic acid exhibited the highest occurrence of colon cancer in connection with alcohol consumption.

The results were surprising, said Giovannucci, since the consumption of folic acid in this group was about 269 micrograms per day, a figure well above the Food and Drug Administration's recommended daily allowance of 200 micrograms.

Giovannucci cautioned, however, that he would not make any strong recommendations until further studies had been concluded.