Dr. Mihaela Bilic, a nutrition expert, reveals the secrets of a diet that can play a crucial role in cancer prevention.

"In the past, being a vegetarian was viewed with suspicion, and people who didn't eat meat were considered strange, as meat was considered a privilege of the wealthy. Nowadays, it has become fashionable to be vegetarian - from Hollywood actors to religious sects, everyone wants to stand out by eliminating animal products from their diet. All studies have shown a decrease in the incidence of chronic diseases with this type of diet. What these studies have failed to demonstrate is that the benefits are solely due to the elimination of animal products from the diet. The same positive effect can be achieved by simply reducing meat consumption and significantly increasing the intake of vegetables, fruits and grains. The decision to be vegetarian is based on various reasons: environmental protection, avoiding animal slaughter, reducing saturated fat intake, fear of serious diseases, etc.", wrote Mihaela Bilic in a Facebook post.

Regarding the benefits of a vegetarian diet, Mihaela Bilic says that they include a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases.

"A plant-based diet is lower in saturated fats and cholesterol, has a reduced salt content, and is richer in fiber and phytonutrients with antioxidant effects", says Bilic.

In addition, the vegetarian diet offers us the so-called "protection" against cancer, explains Dr. Mihaela Bilic.

"On a genetic background predisposed to colon cancer, a high consumption of red meat, processed meats and refined products can be an additional risk factor. A vegan diet and a healthy lifestyle (eliminating sedentary behavior, alcohol consumption, smoking) have a beneficial effect", says Mihaela Bilic.

Regarding the risks of a vegan diet, Dr. Mihaela Bilic listed the deficiencies of vitamin B12 and iron.

"Unlike vegetarians, who consume eggs and dairy, vegans have an increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, which is exclusively present in animal products. The risk of anemia also increases in vegans, as heme iron, with high bioavailability (25-30% absorption), exists only in animal products, while non-heme iron from plants is hard to absorb (3-10%)", says Dr. Bilic.

"Plant-based proteins are incomplete; they do not contain all essential amino acids. Therefore, in a vegan diet, to avoid a protein deficit, cereals must be paired with legumes (e.g., rice with peas, beans with corn, pasta with peas, etc.). Vegetarians are safe from this risk; the simple presence of eggs or milk in the diet covers the need for essential amino acids.

The intake of essential fatty acids can also be affected in a vegan diet, as the only form of Omega 3 that the body can metabolize is animal-based. Eating nuts and flax seeds is not enough; we need fatty fish and egg yolk", the nutritionist explained.

"Nature made us omnivores"

Among other things, Mihaela Bilic emphasized that a healthy diet must be diverse. The nutrition expert does not recommend a vegan diet.

"The body of an adult contains over 1 kg of calcium, which is continuously renewed. This mineral is used as a neutralizing agent for acidic byproducts of metabolism. Daily, 1 g of calcium is consumed, a loss that must be covered through diet. Calcium from milk is the reference standard for solubility: 40% of calcium from milk is absorbed, whereas only 4-5% is absorbed from plants. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus ensures efficient absorption, and vitamin D, naturally present in milk fat, fixes calcium in bones.

Nature made us omnivores (to eat a bit of everything), so it did not put all the nutrients the body needs in one food. A healthy diet must be primarily diversified; only this way are the complex needs of the body, especially the brain/nervous system, covered.

The vegan diet is absolutely contraindicated for pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, adolescents, elderly people or those suffering from various chronic conditions. Animal products are undeniably superior, both in terms of nutrient intake and bioefficiency. Without them, we cannot benefit from optimal development and functioning of the nervous, skeletal and endocrine systems, and the deficiencies that arise are permanent. Balance, diversity and moderation are elements of a healthy lifestyle; simply eliminating animal products from the diet is far from being the miraculous solution for our health", says Bilic.

Increasing colon cancer cases among young people

More and more young people are being diagnosed with colon cancer, and statistics show that by 2030, the frequency will increase by 125%.

For colon cancer, the recommendation of the American Society of Colorectal Surgeons is that, for elective surgeries (i.e., those that are not emergency operations), the intervention should be performed minimally invasively, provided that expertise is available in that clinic. Minimally invasive means either laparoscopic or robotic surgery.

To find out what causes lead to colorectal cancer and what are the best surgical techniques for treatment, listen to Dr. Florin Grama, a primary surgeon, on the "Doctor de bine" show from April 18.