Anti-cancer diet

A person’s diet can play a big part as to whether they are predisposed to cancer or not. In fact, according to a recent study that was done at Harvard up to 30% of all cancer and even cancer deaths can be attributed to diets that are full of animal food sources. There are some very simple but effective ways that we can change our dietary habits that can greatly reduce our chances of developing cancer in the future.

The first thing that should be changed in the diet to reduce the risk of cancer is to cut out the fat! This is especially true of saturated fats and fats that come from animal sources. There are healthy fats that can be substituted for these fats in the diet, however the most healthy diet is one that is low in fats period. Cancerous tumor cells need low density lipoproteins to grow and thrive. Concentrating on a diet that helps to lower the LDL levels in the body can actually keep tumor cells from growing and multiplying. People who eat a lot of fat will produce large amounts of bile that sit in the intestines. If bile is allowed to stagnate in the intestines, it can convert to a toxic acid that is a known carcinogen.

In addition to cutting out the fats that are from animal sources, we need to add fats to our diet that are actually beneficial to our health. There are certain unsaturated fats that come from plant sources that may even help reduce our chances of contracting cancer. Research has shown that certain cultures such as the Eskimos who eat diets that are high in omega 3 fatty acids and the people of the Mediterranean who eat diets rich in olive oil have cancer rates that are much lower than people in the United States. Scientists have now recommended that we add these oils to our daily diet to help reduce our chances of cancer and even cardiovascular disease.

Another dietary factor that needs to be addressed in an anti-cancer diet is to increase the amount of fiber in the daily diet. Fiber sources in our diet helps to aid our digestive process and helps the intestines to rid our bodies of waste and toxins that could be potential carcinogens if they are allowed to remain in the body for long periods of time. Fiber also absorbs excess bile in the digestive tract. It promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestines and helps keep the digestive tract working at peak performance levels.

Eating large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet help not only reduce the risk of developing cancers, it also allows our bodies to absorb needed vitamins and minerals that these food sources are packed with. Many of the vegetables that are considered to be anti-cancer foods are packed with Vitamin C and E. Vitamin C when taken in at therapeutic levels blocks the formation of certain nitrates that can evolve into potential carcinogens in the digestive tract. The properties of Vitamin E are very similar to those of Vitamin C. There was a study that was performed which revealed that women who had low levels of Vitamin E and selenium in the bloodstream were as much as ten times more likely to develop breast cancer.

Some of the vegetables that are included in the anti-cancer diet and should be eaten on a daily basis include tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, brussel sprouts, green beans, squash, kale, onions, peppers, and sweet potatoes. Some of the fruits that are included in this diet include lemons, oranges, grapefruit, grapes, blueberries, peaches, mangos, strawberries, tangerines, and papayas.

Some other things that can be done on a daily basis to reduce the chances of developing cancer in the future include exercising at least three times a week. People should increase their water intake as well as their fiber intake to help move food through the digestive tract. In addition, keeping the mind, body and spirit in balance helps to reduce the chance of disease in general. Some things that can be perused here are to reduce stress levels, try deep breathing exercises, and work with meditation.

Last updated on Apr 9th, 2010 and filed under Healthy Eating. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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