Doctor shares urgent bowel cancer warning over protein powder ‘gym diet'

Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.

A bowel cancer surgeon has sent an urgent warning to gym goers who regularly consume protein powders.

As someone who tries to hit the gym a few times a week, having a protein shake is pretty much part of my daily routine.

But Dr James Kinross, a consultant colorectal surgeon at King Edward VII’s Hospital, has said that people need to be careful of what they are feeding their gut.

The WHO state that 'by 2040, the burden of colorectal cancer will increase to 3.2 million new cases per year' worldwide.

With colon cancer rates increasing around the world, the microbiome scientist has explained why he thinks 'protein powders are bad news'.

Dr Kinross - who has worked in the field for 20 years - has revealed why cutting down red meat to once a week is good for your insides, and why bowel cancer is actually preventable.

Bowel cancer surgeon's protein powder warning

A bowel cancer surgeon has given gym goers an urgent warning over a high protein powder diet (Anna Blazhuk/Getty Stock Images)

For building muscle, Healthline reports that active people need to consume between '1.2 to two grams of protein per kilogram of body weight'.

The doctor, however, says he's noticed a 'slight male obsession with' having lots of protein, and that the modern-day approach to the gym is 'unhealthy in its own right'.

"These protein powders are bad news and really bad for your gut. When you break down and metabolise proteins, one of the byproducts is toxins to drive inflammation and cause bowel cancer," he told LADbible.

"And the thing that is really bad for your gut are all of these high protein powders, like these creatine powders, they profoundly change your microbiome."

Microbiome refers to gut microorganisms that influence colon cancer risk by affecting inflammation, immune response, and metabolism.

The doctor said 'protein powders are bad news' (Getty Stock Images)

Over-processed foods with additives and preservatives, such as instant noodles, sugary cereals, and packaged snacks may increase colon cancer risk by promoting inflammation and harmful gut microbiome changes.

But instead of consuming protein powders, Dr Kinross suggests to 'aim for plant-based proteins [over] animal based proteins'.

"And actually, you know, just completely avoid powdered fibres and those kind of nutrition counters, they're terrible for your gut," the King Edward VII’s Hospital consultant said.

The link to red meat and bowel cancer

Red meat is normally packed with a lot of protein (Getty Stock Images)

Red meat is considered to be a great source of protein, but Dr Kinross warns that if you're going to have it, it should only be as a treat.

"If you're going to have red meat, you want to have high quality red meat. And it should be a once a week thing. It's a treat," he said.

On its particular dangers, the surgeon explains that 'red meat has a particular amino acid that's broken down by the body in the liver, and that causes some of the harmful effects. There's a particular metabolite which we think causes the harm'.

What should you eat instead of red meat?

The doctor says you don't need to go full vegan (Getty Stock Images)

Although Dr Kinross has suggested to lessen your red meat consumption, he said that being a full vegan isn't necessary either.

"If you can just replace one portion of red meat with some white fish or chicken, you will significantly reduce your risk of bowel cancer," he said.

"You don't need to be vegan to have a healthy gut. That's definitely not true, but what you shouldn't be doing is having meat with every single meal."

The 'three pillars' of bowel cancer

Consultant colorectal surgeon Dr James Kinross has issued a bowel cancer warning to people who consume a diet high in protein (X/@bowelsurgeon)

So, ultra processed food is only part of the problem, as Dr Kinross says there are three things that ultimately cause colon cancer.

Genes

"The genes that you're born with... We're getting much better at detecting inheritable cancers and the minority of bowel cancers are heritable, probably about 5 percent or less that are genetically determined," he said.

Environment

"Things you eat, environmental contaminants that you come into contact with that we know drive cancer risk," the doctor said.

As well as ultra processed foods, you've got micro plastics and 'various toxins you might come into contact with in your environment'.

"Ultra processed foods are cheaper, affordable, and sustain large numbers of the population who are deprived. The fault is with companies that egregiously market these foods to young people and children and profit handsomely," he added.

Microbes

As explained above, very specific microbes in your gut are very strongly associated with bowel cancer.

"But we also think it's not just about having too many of the wrong bacteria. It's about not having enough of the good bacteria," Dr Kinross noted.

How to prevent bowel cancer with early screening

Bowel cancer can be prevented (Getty Stock Images)

"If you catch bowel cancer early, you know you can completely cure it," he insists.

"The moment we call people to colonoscopy, in Scotland it's 50, I think in England it's 64, but it's about to come down to 50, whereas in practice, the disease is changing.

"If you're worried, go see your doctor. It doesn't matter if you're having any symptoms of bleeding, any symptoms, change your bowel habit.

"Go and see your doctor and be pushy, and make sure you ask for the right cancer screening test."

'Colonoscopy would be the gold standard', according to Dr Kinross 'but there are simple fecal poo tests that you can do that will give you a good insight as to whether or not you've got a risk of bowel cancer'.

What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?

According to the NHS, symptoms of bowel cancer may include:

· Changes in your pooing habits

· Bleeding from your bottom

· Feeling like you need to poo even if you've just been to the toilet

· Tummy pain

· A lump in your tummy

· Bloating

· Losing weight without trying

· Feeling very tired for no reason

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.