Feb 23, 2009 7:23 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Calcium May Help Fight Cancer
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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A new study shows that getting the recommended amount of calcium reduces a woman's overall cancer risk. It also significantly protects women, as well as men, from cancers of the digestive system.
AP
It's been said that you are what you eat.
Now, it turns out that what you eat may also protect you from cancer – and it might be as simple as getting enough calcium in your diet.
Patty Tobin never misses her cancer screenings, "just to make sure there isn't any cause for concern," she says.
But it's the simple things she's doing outside of the doctor's office that may offer some additional protection.
A new study shows that getting the recommended amount of calcium reduces a woman's overall cancer risk.
It also significantly protects women, as well as men, from cancers of the digestive system "such as esophageal cancer, or stomach cancer, or colorectal cancer," Dr. Susan Boolbol, of Beth Israel Medical Center, says.
"One of the theories is that's where the calcium is absorbed," Dr. Boolbol says.
The risk drops by as much as 23 percent for women and 16 percent for men, according to the study.
Doctors say that at least 1,200 milligrams a day – about three cups of low-fat or fat-free dairy products, like milk or yogurt – does the trick.
"Whether you had calcium through your diet, milk or dairy products, or whether you took a calcium supplement, that the rate of cancer was decreased either way," Boolbol says.
That means Tobin will be making sure that she takes hers.
"I keep the calcium right on the kitchen shelf, and have it right in front of me," Tobin says.
The researchers point out that it may be more than just calcium that's protective. Dairy products are also full of other cancer-fighting nutrients such as vitamin D and linoleic acid.
So for now, it looks like Mom was right: drink your milk.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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