Archives: September 2025
Fiber Maxxing: Safe Weight Loss or A Potentially Unhealthy TikTok Trend?
Does “fiber maxxing” make sense, or is it just another viral, and possibly dangerous trend?
It is truly extraordinary to see the degree to which social media influencers and those looking to break into the influencer field will go to make a splash. Unfortunately, the result has been a significant increase in misinformation and unfortunate advice that has caused some to follow diets and exercise programs that don’t work and can, in some cases, lead to disordered eating.
With that said, there is a viral trend that has some legs, known as fiber maxing. Some even call it “Natural Ozempic.”
Some TikTokers claim to consume dozens of grams of fiber per day. Fiber is incredibly healthy – it fills you up, causing you to eat less, and it works wonders for GI and colonic health. However, there are also significant downsides to consuming too much fiber, especially when not accompanied by proper hydration.
So, to that end, let’s talk about fiber and any critical caveats of consuming fiber for weight loss. We’ll see if it makes sense, landing finally on what you should and shouldn’t do. Continue reading
Could Gut Bacteria Be the Missing Link in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in people under 50 years old, and it has researchers wondering, “What’s going on?”
Interestingly, CRC rates are dropping overall, especially in older adults, but the number of younger adults (under 50) diagnosed with colorectal cancer has nearly doubled since the early 1990s. In the U.S., for example, the rate increased from 8.6 cases per 100,000 people in 1992 to 12.9 per 100,000 in 2018, with the most significant jump occurring in the 40-to-49 age group. Similar trends are occurring worldwide, leaving researchers puzzled about the cause of this phenomenon.1
What makes this rise puzzling is that most younger adults diagnosed don’t have the usual suspects – no family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, and no hereditary syndromes. Scientists are now turning their attention to something that’s been gaining ground in cancer research: the gut microbiome.
Bacteria: A Potential Player
Our gut is home to trillions of bacteria that help digest food, regulate our immune system, and maintain a healthy metabolism. But sometimes, this bacterial community gets out of balance, a condition called dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can reduce bacterial diversity, allowing harmful bacteria to take over, which may increase the risk of cancer.
Certain bacteria have been linked to colorectal cancer across all ages. For example, Fusobacterium, a germ more commonly found in the mouth, has been discovered inside colorectal tumors. This bacterium can sneakily promote cancer by messing with cell signaling and weakening the immune system’s ability to fight tumors. Other troublemakers include Bacteroides fragilis, Streptococcus gallolyticus, and Helicobacter pylori.1
Researchers are thinking outside the box and looking at risk factors like diet, obesity, antibiotic use, and even how you were born (vaginally or by C-section) to find out what can influence the makeup of your microbiome from birth onward. They’re wondering if these factors might nudge the microbiome toward dysbiosis, potentially increasing the risk of colorectal cancer over time.
Digging deeper, scientists recently studied the DNA mutations found in nearly 1,000 colorectal cancer tumors from 11 countries to better understand the mutation patterns. They noticed that certain mutations appeared to be associated with bacteria residing in the colon, particularly a compound called colibactin produced by specific bacteria.2
Colibactin is a mutagen, meaning it can damage DNA by creating bulky chemical attachments that lead to mutations in cells lining the colon. One particular mutation signature, known as SBS89, appears early in life in some colorectal cells but then ceases to accumulate. Researchers believe this signature originates from colibactin or similar bacterial mutagens, indicating that some DNA damage occurs early in life due to the presence of our microbiome inhabitants.2
Why does this matter? Early DNA damage in cells lining the colon could give those cells a “head start” toward becoming cancerous years or even decades later. For instance, colibactin-induced mutations may inactivate a key tumor suppressor gene called APC, a common early step in colorectal cancer development. This early hit could explain why some younger adults develop colorectal cancer without the usual risk factors.
Your Call to Action
The rise in early-onset colorectal cancer is a wake-up call. Since bacteria in our gut may play a bigger role than previously thought, paying attention to gut health and getting screened on time becomes even more critical.
If you have a family history of bowel diseases or colorectal cancer, or if you’re experiencing symptoms like unexplained changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, or persistent abdominal pain, don’t wait. Discuss screening options with your healthcare provider. Early detection saves lives.
At MASJax, we’re committed to supporting your colorectal health through personalized screening and education, especially if you have a family history or other risk factors. Remember, colorectal cancer is often preventable and highly treatable when caught early.
Schedule your colorectal cancer screening with MASJax today.
- Dharwadkar, P., Zaki, T. A., & Murphy, C. C. (2022). Colorectal Cancer in Younger Adults. Hematology/oncology clinics of North America, 36(3), 449–470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hoc.2022.02.005.
- Díaz-Gay, M., Santos, dos, Moody, S., Kazachkova, M., Abbasi, A., Steele, C. D., Vangara, R., Senkin, S., Wang, J., Fitzgerald, S., Bergstrom, E. N., Khandekar, A., Otlu, B., Abedi-Ardekani, B., Carolina, A., Cattiaux, T., Cortez, R., Gaborieau, V., Chopard, P., & Carreira, C. (2025). Geographic and age variations in mutational processes in colorectal cancer. Nature, 643, 230–240. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09025-8.
TikTok Trend: Evaluating the 30-30-30 Rule
While we don’t endorse or recommend relying on TikTok for tips on losing weight and improving one’s diet and exercise program, one of the more interesting and intriguing concepts is the 30-30-30 rule that seems to have gone viral on the platform. The approach suggests consuming 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking, followed by 30 minutes of low-intensity activity.
But does this viral trend make a difference in your overall health? Let’s dig a little deeper and find out.
Why we like the 30-30-30 rule
30g of protein soon after you wake up is a great way to get about half of the protein you need for the day. Plus, most of us will agree that exercising early in the morning is often much easier than exercising later in the day when you’re already mentally and physically spent. While we don’t necessarily advocate just getting your protein and exercise out of the way as the most helpful mindset, it does help you start your day with excellent habits. The goal is finding ways to stay the course – maintain good habits, a healthy diet, and increased exercise throughout the day.
Concerns regarding the 30-30-30 rule
First and foremost, there’s no definitive data on whether consuming protein and exercising in the morning is more beneficial than doing so later in the day. As such, it’s better to look at this as more of a practical habit-former rather than a science-based intervention.
Secondly, and probably most importantly, this viral TikTok trend does not take into account the composition of the protein you consume – 30 g of protein from eggs, lean meat, or legumes is quite different from 30 g of protein from fatty bacon. To that end, you should be mindful of how you will consume protein and ensure it comes from healthy sources before starting this.
Third, following up your protein intake with physical activity is the sticker. If you don’t, you risk consuming too many calories and too much protein over the day without your body having the option to process it.
Lastly, hydrate. Then hydrate some more! Increasing your water consumption both before and after your exercise gets your digestive system ready to effectively process the significant amount of protein you consume. Because you’re sweating more, getting more fluids also helps prevent dehydration, which can lead to more serious systemic issues over time.
Here’s what it comes down to
The 30-30-30 rule can be a fun way to start your day. Not only do you get out and about early in the morning as soon as you wake up, but you also get a good amount of protein and exercise in before your day even really begins. If nothing else, a 30-30-30 victory is a great way to feel better about your day and score a quick win before getting on with the rest of it.
Of course, every person is different, and you may need to adjust the rate at which you consume protein. Further, depending on your body size and type, you may want to have less or more. This is an excellent opportunity to consult with your dietitian and gain a deeper understanding of what’s best for your unique body composition and lifestyle.
