Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths for adults under 50, according to data released early this year, prompting increased attention to preventative measures like significantly increasing dietary fiber intake.
The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) reports that only 5% of men and 9% of women in the United States consume the recommended daily amount of dietary fiber. This shortfall has led to a growing trend known as “Fibermaxxing,” explained by OSF HealthCare Oncology Registered Dietitian Dr. Jeanna Brouwer.
“Fibermaxxing is when people are going above and beyond past the recommended daily amount you need, which is about 25 grams for women and 30-38 for men,” Dr. Brouwer said. “Fibermaxxing is usually when people are tracking their fiber and trying to get between 40 and 70 grams of fiber in a day.”
Dr. Brouwer emphasized the preventative benefits of fiber, stating that it “helps prevent all kinds of cancer.” The ASN notes that colorectal cancers are the third most common worldwide, with rates increasing alongside industrialization, while remaining uncommon in parts of Africa and Asia.
The rising incidence of colorectal cancer, coupled with low fiber consumption rates, has fueled the popularity of Fibermaxxing as a proactive health strategy. The American Institute of Cancer Research has identified fiber as a potential nutritional target for cancer prevention, though research remains ongoing and some findings are considered controversial.