Cancer happens when a
collection of cells in any part of the body become abnormal, old and damaged
cells survive when they should die and new cells form when they are not needed.
This collection of unruly cells may form a tumor which develops into cancer.
The American Cancer
Society indicates that “one in four adults will be diagnosed with cancer”.
Shocking right? While the statistics are really high, scientists have proved
that with a healthy lifestyle which involves eating healthy, Exercising and
drinking lots of water could significantly lower your risk! All of these plus
staying away from smoking, drinking alcohol, excessive sun exposure or pretty
much anything with carcinogenic effects, and you are double protected!
Your diet plays a huge
role in preventing cancer. Eating a simple diet of vegetables and fruits could
boost your immunity and reduce your risks up to 70%.
Cancer-Fighting Foods
1. TOMATOES – We very
often underestimate the power of this vegetable. Research has shown that the
antioxidant Lycopene is a cancer-fighting food associated with protection
against certain cancers such as prostate and lung cancer. Tomatoes also contain
a compound called terpenes (terpenoids) that have strong antioxidant activities
and suppress tumor growth.
Oh and don’t forget to
cook the tomatoes in order to release the lycopene!
2. BROCCOLI – Remember how your parents constantly reminded you to eat your vegetables? Well, they were right, as studies have shown that only 100 grams of broccoli per day reduces the risk of cancer significantly! Also, broccoli happens to have contains high amounts of vitamins A, C and E which are all important antioxidants. One vegetable for with nutrients of three! Perhaps the most important nutrient that fresh broccoli has is a compound called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is a sulfur compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties that is proven to kill cancer stem cells therefore slowing down tumor growth.
3. ONIONS/GARLIC – They definitely have an
unpleasant smell but have been proven to be perhaps the most popular medicinal
vegetables. They are widely used as treatment along with some other herbs for
various conditions. Garlic contains about 200 biologically active compounds,
many of which are more important in preventing diseases. Additionally, there
are many studies that confirm that garlic helps fight breast, lung, kidney and
prostate cancer. Garlic and onions can block the formation of nitrosamines,
powerful carcinogens that target several sites in the body, usually the colon,
liver, and breasts. Funny enough, further research has shown that the more
pungent the garlic or onion, the more abundant the chemically active sulfur
compounds that prevent cancer. So the smellier the better!
4. PEPPER – It is truly surprising
that peppers are super rich in vitamin C. The amount of vitamin C in a 100g
fresh pepper is about 100-250mg, that’s more than oranges could give you! More
importantly, as you feel the intense burning of your throat and intestines from
the hot chili pepper, it is doing a good job of starving the cancer cells from
oxygen forcing them to die due its active components of lycopene, capsaicin and
resiniferatoxin. Be wise; add more pepper to your daily diet.
5. CITRUS FRUITS - Fruits such as
lemons, oranges, grapefruit and others are rich in vitamin C, flavonoids and
terpenoids that stop inflammation. These components act as an inhibitor of
cancer cell’s growth and have powerful antioxidant effect, which protects cells
from oxidative damage even better than vitamin C. Red grapes also have
seeds filled with the super antioxidants. This cancer-fighting chemical, also
found in red wine and red-grape juice, may offer significant protection against
certain types of cancer, heart disease, and other chronic degenerative
diseases. If you don't currently eat any of these super foods, you might
consider adding it to your anti-cancer diet.
6. FISH - Epidemiological
studies revealed that the populations of many Asian countries with high
consumption of fish and seafood have low prevalence of particular type of
cancers such as lung, breast and colorectal cancer. Fatty fish — such as
salmon, tuna, and herring — contain omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fatty acid
that has been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
7. SUNFLOWER SEEDS – Scientists from the University of Queensland have found proteins in sunflower seeds to be anti-cancer. According to them, the high antioxidant capacity observed for extract of the sunflower seed oil suggests that the intake of this seed may prevent in vivo oxidative reactions responsible for the development of several diseases, such as cancer. The compounds found in sun flower seeds such as Tannins, palmitic acid, linolenic acid, Ī±-Linoleic acid, Stearidonic acid and Selenium have powerful properties that help protect the cells against damage that could cause cancer, induce the death of cancer cells and even slow down their growth. Plus, sunflower seeds are a rich source of Vitamin E which has been associated with reduced risk of colon, bladder and prostate cancer. Want to get sunflower seeds, visit our store at Eat to Live Lifestyle or Place an order.
8. FLAX SEEDS - You might want to consume flaxseed a bit more regularly as it may protect the body from colon cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids prevent cancerous cells from latching onto healthy cells. If cancerous tumors attempt to form, the lignans contained in flaxseed stop the formation of new blood supply (anti-angiogenesis) that feeds tumor growth. In other words, they starve the tumor of their supply of oxygen and nutrients. If cancer cells can’t get these basic requirements, they are unable to multiply and spread. You can ingest flaxseeds either whole or ground. Ground flaxseed is easy to put into foods…you can add it to smoothies, condiments, bake it into cookies and breads…even put it into your breakfast cereal. You can sprinkle whole flax seed on top of soups, salads, and yogurt for added crunchiness and a nutty taste. Good news! You can also find it at Eat to Live Lifestyle.
9. PUMPKIN SEEDS - According to a Spanish study, a compound found in pumpkin seeds called cucurbitacins, has the ability to kill cancer cells. Cucurbitacins, the active compound in pumpkin seeds has potent anti-inflammatory properties and is effective to be used as treatment for different types of cancer in their early stages. Another study has pointed out that women undergoing menopause who consumed pumpkin seeds daily, reduced the risk of developing breast cancer by 23%. The presence of zinc and phytosterols (in particular, the beta-sitosterol) are components in pumpkin seeds that help in preventing the development of prostate cancer. They act as anti-inflammatory agents that protect the prostate from oxidative damages, are beneficial in DNA repair and prevent cancer cells growth in the early stages. Pumpkin seeds in addition to all of these, also improves heart health, sleep and sperm count, as well as lower blood sugar levels. Even more amazing is that you can get these seeds at Eat to Live Lifestyle as well! We also help you plan your diet, keeping your body healthy every day of your life!
10. CHIA SEEDS – The small but mighty chia seeds have been known to have various benefits including promoting healthy skin, reducing signs of aging, supporting the heart and digestive system, building stronger bones and muscles, and more. They’ve even been linked to helping reverse diabetes. Most importantly, Chia seeds are rich in alpha lipoic acid (or ALA), which is an omega-3 fatty acid. Research has shown that ALA limited the growth of cancer cells in both breast and cervical cancers. Researchers also found that it caused cell death of the cancer cells without harming the normal healthy cells. While more research still needs to be done to find out the deeper implications of ALA on other types of cancer, this is a great discovery for women struggling with these increasingly common types of cancer. Thus, chia seeds are cancer-fighting foods, yet another one of the amazing chia seeds benefits you can get when you consume them.
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