This week I watched a highly interesting talk by Oncologist Dr. William Li, about a new way of treating cancer by the process of anti-angiogenesis (preventing the growth of blood vessels that feed cancer tumors). The crucial first step: Eating cancer-fighting foods that cut off the supply lines that make the cancer. He stated that we all have little cancers within our bodies, but most of the times they never become big enough to be dangerous. Now, how can we prevent and control our eating habits to starve cancer all together? The National Cancer Institute estimates that roughly one-third of all cancer deaths may be diet related. What you eat can hurt you, but it can also help you. Many of the common foods found in grocery stores or organic markets contain cancer-fighting properties, from the antioxidants that neutralize the damage caused by free radicals, to the powerful phytochemicals that scientists are just beginning to explore.
Diet and exercise can be powerful tools when trying to prevent cancer. Nearly two-thirds of Americans with cancer survive for more than five years after diagnosis. Appropriate weight, a healthful diet, and a physically active lifestyle are particularly important because survivors’ risk for new cancers or other chronic illnesses are higher than normal.
Cancer-fighting foods include:
1. Beans:
Beans contain a number of phytochemicals, which have been shown to prevent or slow genetic damage to cells. While this makes beans beneficial for helping to reduce your risk of many types of cancer, specific research has suggested they are especially potent in preventing prostate cancer. As an added bonus, the high fiber content of beans has been connected with a lower risk of digestive cancers.
2. Berries:
The two most widely studied cancer-fighting compounds in berries are mostly found in strawberries, raspberries and richest in blueberries. Ellagic acid is believed to help prevent skin, bladder, lung, and breast cancers, both by acting as an antioxidant and by slowing the reproduction of cancer cells. The anthocyanosides in blueberries are currently the most powerful antioxidants known to scientists and are beneficial in the prevention of all types of cancer.
3. Cruciferous Vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale):
Cruciferous vegetables are rich in a variety of compounds that have been shown to slow cancer growth and development in a number of laboratory studies. Other larger human studies have shown that cruciferous vegetables can help to reduce the risk of lung, stomach, colorectal, prostate, and bladder cancers.
4. Dark Green Leafy Vegetables:
Leafy greens are rich sources of antioxidants called carotenoids. These compounds scavenge dangerous free radicals from the body before they can promote cancer growth. The vegetables are also rich in folate, a vitamin shown to reduce the risk of lung and breast cancer.
5. Flaxseed:
Flaxseed in the form of oil and meal contains phytoestrogens believed to reduce the risk of breast, skin, and lung cancer. Research on the potency of flaxseed as an anti-cancer food is still underway.
6. Garlic (including onions, scallions, leeks, and chives):
Garlic contains a number of compounds believed to slow or stop the growth of tumors. One such compound, diallyl disulfide, appears to be especially potent in protecting against skin, colon, and lung cancer, though it is not known exactly how it functions.
7. Grapes:
Grapes and wine contain a chemical called resveratrol, which has been shown to be a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Resveratrol is thought to work by preventing cell damage before it begins. Red and purple grapes are the richest sources.
8. Green Tea (decaf):
Green tea is a rich source of a class of flavonoids known as catechins. Laboratory studies have shown that the catechins present in green tea are able to slow or prevent the development of cancer in colon, liver, breast, and prostate cells.
9. Soy:
Soy is rich in isoflavones, compounds that have been shown to protect against cancer of the bladder, cervix, lung, and stomach. Soy also contains components that resemble some of the body’s natural hormones. These components may be beneficial in preventing breast and prostate cancers.
10. Tomatoes:
The anti-cancer compound in tomatoes, lycopene, has been shown to be especially potent in combating prostate cancer. This compound appears to be more easily absorbed if the tomatoes are eaten in processed form-either as tomato sauce, paste, or juice. In addition to preventing prostate cancer, lycopene may also protect against breast, lung, stomach, and pancreatic cancer.
11. Whole Grains:
Whole grains contain a variety of anti-cancer compounds, including fiber, antioxidants, and phytoestrogens. When eaten as part of a balanced diet, whole grains can help decrease the risk of developing most types of cancer.
Natalie is the founder of THE ART OF BODY - a health services company in Bali that features personal training, pilates and physio. As a health consultant with years of experience in Canada and USA, she currently lives as a personal trainer in Bali. For further inquiries please visit : www.theartofbody.com or e-mail : ns@theartofbody.com or 081 2389 0999.
