French agency issues cancer-nutrition advice
ANSES issued a detailed report about the role of nutrition in halting the rise of cancer in France, coming down in favour of a balanced diet as the best action to reduce the risk of individuals developing cancer.
“Generally, to reduce the risk of excess or deficit in food or nutrients, and prevent the risk of cancer, [individuals] should have a balanced and varied diet with caloric intake adjusted for energy expenditure coupled withregular physical activity, and to achieve the recommended dietary intakes,” ANSES concluded.
It highlighted obesity and overweight rates, and the links to cancer from that, and called on a drop in salt intakes from the current 8.5g per day, although the level had, “declined in recent years”.
“ANSES recommends limiting consumption of energy-dense foods because they promote the risk of overweight.Furthermore, consumption of alcoholic beverages should be reduced and consumption of red meat, sausage, salt and salty foods implicated in the onset of certain cancers, should be limited.”
It backed, “Consumption of fruits and vegetables that contribute significantly to cover the needs of fibre (from cereal products), vitamins and minerals and reduce the energy density of the diet.”
The agency said fibre intake in France (18g/day) was well below the recommended dietary intakes of 30g/d for adults.
The research, conducted over four years, acknowledged the position on nutrient intake taken by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research that about a third of cancers could be prevented in western countries due to nutritional intervention.
But it concluded, “there is no food or nutrient that is ‘anticancer’ itself.”
“Thus the consumption of a food, a nutrient or a dietary supplement in particular is not sufficient alone to prevent the onset of cancer.”
The agency also recently issued advice that slimming supplements could be useful but should only be taken with the advice of a health professional.
