Colon polyps are abnormal growths that can form on the interior surfaces of your colon, or large intestine. Some polyps don’t cause significant health problems, while others contain cancer cells or lead to the onset of cancer. (See Reference 1) People who consume the fat in red meat may have an increased risk for the development of colon polyps and related cancers. (See Reference 1 and 2)
Colon Polyp Basics
Colon polyps can have a raised or flat appearance. While flat polyps are typically smaller than raised polyps, they have a greater chance of being cancerous or turning into cancer, and doctors have a more difficult time detecting them, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, or NDDIC. You can develop a single polyp or multiple polyps. While anyone can get them, they most commonly appear in people age 50 or older, women who get ovarian or uterine cancer before they turn 50 and people who’ve had polyps before, as well as in people with a family history of colon polyps or a family history of colon cancer. (See Reference 1)
Red Meat and Saturated Fat
Red meat is a general term used to describe various cuts of beef, pork, lamb and veal, as well as foods made from these meats. Meats in this category tend to have relatively high amounts of a form of fat called saturated fat. (See Reference 3) Consumption of saturated fat is the single greatest dietary contributor to high blood levels of harmful LDL cholesterol, the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s Medline Plus reports. (See Reference 4) Consumption of this type of fat can also potentially raise your risks for the onset of colon polyps and colon cancer, MayoClinic.com and the NDDIC report. (See References 1 and 2)
Restricting Intake
To lower your risks for developing colon polyps and colon cancer, MayoClinic.com specifically recommends that you restrict your saturated fat intake by restricting your intake of red meat, as well as foods — such as sausages, bratwursts or brats, and hot dogs — that come from red meats. (See Reference 2) Other potential sources of saturated fat in your diet include poultry fat, lard, cream, butter, whole milk, cheese, coconuts, coconut oil, cocoa butter, palm kernel oil and palm oil. In addition to saturated fat, the listed non-red meat animal-based foods also typically contain considerable amounts of LDL cholesterol. (See Reference 4)
Specific Steps
Reduce your risks for colon polyps and colon cancer by keeping your intake of red meat and other sources of saturated fat to no more than 7 to 10 percent of your total daily calorie consumption. (See References 2 and 3) Additional steps you can take to prevent the onset of polyps and/or cancer include getting plenty of calcium, avoiding or quitting smoking, controlling your weight, staying physically active, limiting your alcohol consumption and increasing your intake of whole grains, vegetables and fruit. (See Reference 2) Consult your doctor for more information on red meat and saturated fat and their connection to colon polyps and colon cancer.
