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Cancer Fighting Foods
It is well known that a healthy diet, rich in a variety of vitamins and nutrients can help to prevent disease, and possibly even cancer. Here we take a look at some food components that have been researched and display evidence of cancer fighting ability. A Dietitian can advise as to whether your diet is lacking in any of these potential cancer fighters, and educate you on how to incorporate them into your daily diet.
Antioxidants
The by-products of oxidation have a detrimental effect on the body cells that can lead to the development of cancers. Antioxidants have the ability to remove these cell damaging particles, and are thus said to help in the prevention of cancer. There are a number of known antioxidants that are found in foods such as:
Carotene – Red, orange and yellow fruits, and green vegetables
Sulforaphane – Broccoli
Lycopene – Tomato
Vitamin A – Orange, yellow and green vegetables, milk, liver, eggs
Vitamin C – Red berries, kiwi fruit, red and green capsicum
Vitamin E – Wheat germ, nuts, seeds, whole grains
Selenium – Garlic, onions, cabbage, whole grains
Anti Cancer Properties
A number of food components have anti-cancer properties. These include the protection of certain body tissues, inhibiting cancer growth and increasing cancer fighting enzymes such as:
Retinol - Red, orange and yellow fruits, and green vegetables
Indoles – Cruciferous vegetables
Protease Inhibitor – soy, rice maize
Terpenes – Citrus fruits
Beneficial Effect on Hormones
Some food components have the ability to inhibit or promote particular hormones, which can have a positive effect on the prevention of cancer. Examples below.
Lignans – flax seed, fatty fish, walnuts
Linolenic acid – Flaxseed oil, leafy vegetables, seeds
Triterpenoids – Licorice
Polycacetylene – Parsley
Cancer Receptor Blockers
Some food components are able to bind to cancer receptors. This will inhibit cancer cells from binding and then growing and multiplying. Examples below.
Flavanoids – Soy, fruits and vegetables
Isoflavones (phytochemicals) – Soy, fruits and vegetables
Cholesterol Reduction
Any food component that has the ability to reduce cholesterol, either by preventing absorption or increasing excretion, can help in the prevention of cancer such as:
Plant sterols – Cucumber, cabbage, tomatoes, squash, broccoli, whole grains
Fibre – Whole grains, fruits and vegetables
Omega-3 Fatty acids – Flaxseed oil, fatty fish oils
Friendly Gut Bacteria
A healthy gut flora is very beneficial in the fight against cancer. Our resident good bacteria play a number of roles in cancer prevention such as enhancing immunity, detoxifying enzymes that can promote cancer, protection of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) lining and increasing the excretion of carcinogenic substances. To ensure your healthy bacteria are outweighing the bad bacteria in your GIT, give it a boost by including yoghurt with live active cultures in your diet. A live culture supplement, such as Inner Health Plus, will also benefit you when the balance of gut bacteria is reduced, such as when taking antibiotics.
Added to site on : Sunday, 24 June 2012