DIETARY FIBER AND GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER , IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MEXICAN POPULATION

Certain nutrients serve as individual influences in the development or protection against chronic and/or degenerative diseases. Specifically , it has been observed that the abundant consumption of dietetic fiber is a protective factor against tumors of the digestive system. Many s cientific articles have reported mechanisms by which dietetic fibers e xert an important protective effect for colon cancer and in lesser deg ree against cancer of the stomach and rectum. In Mexico during 1990, n eoplasms were the second cause of general mortality for the persons ov er the age of 65 years. The Fourth National Report of Cancer in Mexico revealed that tumors of the digestive tube were the third most freque nt type of neoplasm in the country and that stomach cancer had the gre atest incidence among cancers which affect this system. To date, we do not know how much the urban immigration and the consequent changes in food patterns have acted as cofactors for the increase in this type o f tumors. During the seventies, a number of national and regional nutr itional surveys showed that the Mexican population had a high consumpt ion of fiber, as part of the traditional diet, comprised primarily of tortilla and beans. At the present time, the national dietary patterns have changed; the increasing consumption of high energy foods with a low nutritional value is associated with much less ingestion of dietar y fiber. This article points out that the population may have addition al digestive cancer risks, due to new food consumption patterns which have reduced the availability of dietary fiber.