Cancer-Fighting Foods

Many of us have been – or will be – affected by cancer. The statistics are sobering. Nearly half the men and about a third of all women in the United States will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Every year 10 million people in the world develop cancer; and seven million deaths are caused by the disease. This is 12 percent of all reported deaths on Earth.

The good news is that there is something we can do about it. Individual lifestyle choices play a major role in the risk of developing cancer. The role of diet and cancer has been researched since the 1940s. In Western countries, over 30% of all cancers have been estimated to be directly or indirectly linked to dietary factors. Cancers particularly sensitive to dietary factors include breast, colon, prostate bladder, and lung cancers.

[su_expanding_quote_without_link alignment=”right” source=”Foods to Fight Cancer: Essential Foods to Help Prevent Cancer, by Richard Beliveau PhD and Denis Gingras Phd.” full_quote=”Recent studies establish a close relationship between the lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet and an increase in the rate of certain cancers. A significant intake of fruits and vegetables leads to marked decrease in the risk of developing cancer. In general, individuals consuming the fewest vegetables have about twice the chance of developing certain cancers than people who consume greater quantities of these foods. Radically modifying our diet must be the goal of any preventive strategy to reduce the number of cancers. A diet based on regular intake of the right foods is indispensable to fighting cancer. Enjoying a diverse, balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables is a simple and effective way of significantly reducing the risk to developing cancer.” short_quote=”Recent studies establish a close relationship between the lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet and an increase in the rate of certain cancers.”]

Recent scientific advancement in anti-cancer research has identified specific foods that offer powerful protection against cancer. These foods are essential for prevention of cancer and also increased odds of survival after diagnosis. In particular cruciferous vegetables (kale, spinach, cabbage, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) seem to contain the most potent anti-cancer substances of all types of vegetable providing mechanisms that may protect against cancer including:

• inhibition of angiogenesis (blood vessel formation important for tumor growth)
• detoxification or removal of carcinogens (like heterocyclic amines)
• inhibition of cancer cell growth
• promotion of cancer cell death
• prevention of DNA damage by carcinogens.

Other potent cancer fighting foods include onions, beans, berries, seeds and nuts. Beans in general are beneficial for protecting against reproductive cancers such as breast and prostate cancer.

[su_expanding_quote_web alignment=”right” source_site=”Dr. Fuhrman” source_url=”Source URL” full_quote=”Cruciferous vegetables including kale, cabbage, collards, broccoli, and several others contain the most potent anti-cancer substances of all types of vegetables. Human studies show a huge protective effect; people who were regular consumers of these foods had approximately 60 percent less cancer. For example, in one prospective study, one or more servings per week of cabbage reduced the risk of pancreatic cancer by 38%.³⁰ This was only one serving a week, which demonstrates that dramatic protection is available and real when a diet is ideally designed. The regular consumption of mushrooms has been demonstrated to decrease risk of breast cancer by over 60 percent.³¹ Onions, berries, seeds and beans also have dramatic beneficial effects.³² Beans in general, not just soy, are beneficial for protecting against reproductive cancers such as breast and prostate cancer.³³” short_quote=”Human studies show a huge protective effect; people who were regular consumers of these foods had approximately 60 percent less cancer. “][/su_expanding_quote_web]

Based on all my reading, I choose to eat a plant-rich daily diet:

• minimizing meat and dairy
• increasing consumption of greens (kale, spinach, Romaine, collard greens) and cruciferous ( broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels Sprouts), onions, beans, berries, seeds and nuts
• eating a wide range of colorful fruits and other vegetables (sweet potatoes and pumpkins, tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers and citrus
• enjoying whole grains in breakfast or dinner
• drinking less coffee and more green tea
• keeping foods made with white sugar and white flour for special treats and not every day

For further health empowerment:

Eat for Health – The Anti-Cancer Diet

Reduce Your Risk of Cancer by Making Better Food Choices

Diet and Physical Activity: What is the Cancer Connection

 

Delicious Cancer Fighting Recipes

African Coconut Soup with Chickpeas

Spicy Kale and Garbanzo Stew

Kale Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Apple and Walnuts

Spinach, Grated Broccoli and Grape Salad