June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. Supporting people with bowel cancer and raising the awareness around its symptoms are part of Bowel Cancer New Zealand’s function and link closely to our purpose here at No.2. Not only do we have family and friends who have fought the disease, it is one of the reasons we decided to start our business. We are determined to do everything we can to live long and healthy lives and one of the ways we support this is by making sure we get enough fibre.
Now for the completely horrifying stats around New Zealanders and bowel cancer…
- Every day 8 of us are diagnosed with bowel cancer and 3 of us will die.
- 250 New Zealanders are diagnosed with bowel cancer and 100 will die.
These stats from Bowel Cancer New Zealand are confronting. Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the third most common cancer globally, and second only to lung cancer in New Zealand. There is a bit of good news though – we can actively reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer. One way is to get moving. Take a walk, go for a swim, play outside with the kids. Every bit of movement counts. In addition, getting enough fibre can also really help.
Bowel cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the colon or rectum, which are parts of the large intestine. They often begin as a polyp, a small growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum, which can eventually develop into cancerous cells. Several factors contribute to the development of bowel cancer, including your genes, age, lifestyle choices, and diet.
Fibre is the indigestible part of plant-based foods that passes through our digestive system without breaking down. While our bodies cannot digest fibre, it plays a crucial role in maintaining good bowel health. Fibre is classified into two types: soluble and insoluble. Psyllium husk, the active ingredient in No.2, contains both kinds of fibre.
- Soluble Fibre dissolves in water to form a gel-like substances. It aids in softening your motions and preventing constipation and promoting regular bowel movements.
- Insoluble fibre adds bulk to the movements helping it to move through the intestines. It helps maintain regularity and prevents conditions like diverticulosis and hemorrhoids.
There is a lot of science that show a high-fibre diet can significantly reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer. Here is how…
- It helps promote bowel regularity: A fibre-rich diet ensures that waste material moves through the digestive system more efficiently. This reduces the contact time between potentially harmful substances and the intestinal lining, minimising the risk of cell damage.
- Fibre dilutes carcinogens which are cancer-causing substances found in certain foods and environmental toxins. By increasing the bulk and water content of the stool, fibre helps in faster elimination of harmful compounds from the body.
- It feeds your microbiome. Fibre acts as a prebiotic, serving as a food source for beneficial bacteria in the gut. A healthy microbiome plays a vital role in supporting your microbiome and reducing inflammation, which are both important in preventing cancer development.
- It balances your blood sugar level by preventing insulin spikes and insulin resistance. Elevated insulin levels have been associated with an increased risk of bowel cancer.
Exercise and diet have been shown to reduce the risk of bowel cancer. Get moving and eat lots of leafy greens and whole grains. A product like No.2 can help give you the fibre boost you need to support a balanced diet. Health and wellness are a family business. Love No.2 x
