Healthline: Cancer Fighting Foods

You guys I have to explain how excited I was when Healthline contacted me to do a guest post on my blog! If you haven't checked out Healthline's website you need to becuase it's CHUCK FULL of incredible info! (You can find their website HERE)

I collaborated a bit with their writers on what would be the best topic for this blog. Typically I choose not to write about health issues here seeing as I'm probably the last person to talk to y'all about health. I mean, my donut for breakfast yesterday was great, but.. really..

I chose a topic that hits close to home for me, and probably a majority of readers: Cancer. Nowdays it seems like everyone is effected by this or knows someone who is or has been.

I work in a cancer hospital & I see the effects of cancer on a daily basis which breaks my heart. Cancer doesn't care if you are 3 or 93. Cancer doesn't care if you are a young mom or a college kid.

Here is Healthline's article on the Top Cancer Fighting Foods!
Eat up!

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Top Cancer Fighting Foods

According to most professional dieticians, plant-based foods offer protective effects against a variety of cancers, including that of the stomach, pancreas, colon, ovary, rectum, endometrium, prostate, esophagus and liver.

Medical experts also suggest that a person suffering from cancer should focus on healthy foods that are high in protein and calories to provide energy.  During the cancer treatment -- which includes procedures like chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries and hormone therapy --  it is vital to maintain energy and a healthy immune system to fight against the disease. The chances of success may increase if cancer fighting foods are included in the diet, and below are the essential basics:

Tea

Black and green teas are rich in polyphenols (catechins), which are known to prevent cancer cells from dividing. These polyphenols may protect against various types of cancer.  Olive oil and red wine are also rich in polyphenols.

Soy

Soy foods are rich in nutrients, especially in several types of phytoestrogens — weak, non-steroidal estrogens — that can help prevent prostate, stomach, esophageal and breast cancers by blocking and suppressing the cancerous changes.  Soy protein can lead to the lowest mortality rate among cancer patients, along with the lower probability of recurrence.

Allium Vegetables

Ever heard of allium vegetables?  Onions, leeks, garlic and onions are allium-based veggies that can significantly lower the risk of prostate cancer. These vegetables contain immune-enhancing allium compounds (diallyl sulfides) that appear to increase the activity of the immune cells that fight cancer. These compounds also help in blocking carcinogens from entering into the cells apart from slowing down the development of tumors. 

 

Turmeric

Turmeric, containing curcumin, is the main ingredient in Indian cooking. Additionally, curcumin is a potential cancer fighter, suppressing the invasion, transformation and proliferation of cancerous cells.

 

Fiber

Fiber protects and helps in clearing off the disease causing wastes and toxins from your gastrointestinal tract.  It promotes weight loss by making you feel fuller, longer. Being obese or overweight will put you at greater risk for cancer.

Vegetables

Vegetables like kale, brussel sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli contain cancer fighting antioxidants like zeaxanthin and lutein.  Cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli have a chemical component called indole-3-carbinol that can combat breast cancer by converting a cancer-promoting estrogen into a more protective variety. Broccoli alone has phytochemical called sulforaphane, a product of glucoraphanin, which is believed to aid in preventing rectum and colon cancers. 

Carrots have falcarinol and beta carotene, which has been shown to reduce a wide range of cancers such as throat, mouth, lung, breast, prostate, bladder, intestine and stomach cancers. Isolated cancer cells grow more slowly when exposed to falcarinol and beta carotene. Tomatoes contain Lycopene, an antioxidant known for its anti-cancer properties, specifically preventing cancers in breast, pancreas, colon and prostate regions.

 

Fruit

Berries -- like blue, red, black and strawberries -- are rich in ellagic acid, one of the most powerful antioxidants, which help in preventing the growth of cancer cells.  Avocados are rich in glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that attacks the free radicals in the body by blocking the intestinal absorption of certain fats. They also supply a high level of potassium and are strong sources of beta-carotene.  Finally, grapes contain bioflavonoids, the powerful antioxidants that work as cancer preventives. Grapes are also rich sources of resveratrol, a natural phenol, which inhibits the enzymes that can stimulate cancer-cell growth and suppress the immune response.

Hot Peppers

Jalapenos, chili peppers and other spicy vegetables contain a chemical called capsaicin which may neutralize certain cancer-causing substances (nitrosamines) and may help prevent stomach cancer.

A healthy diet that includes these specific cancer fighting foods can be a strong aid in preventing cancers, boosting your immune system, and a big help to cancer patients with their recovery process.  Having a healthy lifestyle, void of drinking and smoking, is vital as well.  Scientists have recently estimated that approximately 40 percent of all cancers can be averted if people exercise, eat more fruits, vegetables and plant-based foods, and minimize the intake of high-fat, high-calorie foods.


 

David Novak is a international syndicated newspaper columnist, appearing in newspapers, magazines, radio and TV around the world. His byline has appeared in GQ, National Geographic, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, Reader's Digest, USA Today, among others, and he has appeared on The Today Show, the CBS Morning Show and Paul Harvey Radio. David is a specialist at consumer technology, health and fitness, and he also owns a PR firm and a consulting company where he and his staff focus on these industries. He is a regular contributing editor for Healthline. For more information, visit http://www.healthline.com/.