A recent study suggests that a shift in the balance between 'good' bacteria and the 'bad' bacteria (both of which populate our gut) could be a harbinger of colon cancer.

The findings, by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, could lead to strategies to identify people who are at high risk as well as ways to manipulate the microbiota to prevent colon cancer.


"We think something happens to tip the balance away from the beneficial bacteria and in favor of microbes that make toxic metabolites and are detrimental to our health," said senior study author Temitope Keku, research associate professor of medicine at UNC.

"By pinpointing these bacterial culprits, we can not only identify people at risk, but also suggest that they include the good bacteria in their diet. And what a great way to address colon cancer - you could know your risk and lower it by eating your yogurt every day," added Keku.

Researchers have known for decades that the bacteria harbored in our bodies are not innocent bystanders but rather active participants in health and disease.