Every year more than 500,000 people die from cancer in the United States alone.
Many researchers and cancer specialists believe that up to 60% of those deaths can be prevented if Americans adopt healthier lifestyles.
According to Rachael Stolzenberg-Solomon, a researcher at the National Cancer Institute,
“The easiest and least expensive way to reduce your risk for cancer is just by eating a healthy diet.”
Here is an overview of ten important cancer fighting foods to include in your diet on a regular basis:
1. Garlic – Garlic contains a number of compounds that can protect against cancer, especially that of the skin, colon, and lungs.
2. Dark Leafy Greens – Dark greens are rich sources of antioxidants called carotenoids. These scavenge dangerous free radicals from the body before they can promote cancer growth.
3. Grapes – Grapes (and red wine) contain the chemical resveratrol, which is a very potent antioxidant that can prevent cell damage before it begins.
4. Green Tea – The flavonoids in green tea have been shown to slow or prevent the development of several types of cancer including colon, liver, breast, and prostate.
5. Tomatoes – The compound lycopene, (which is most easily absorbed from cooked tomatoes) has been shown to prevent prostate cancer, as well as cancer of the breast, lung, and stomach.
6. Blueberries – Of all the berries, blueberries are the richest in cancer fighting compounds. They are beneficial in the prevention of all types of cancer.
7. Flaxseeds – Flax contains lignans, which can have an antioxidant effect and block or suppress cancerous changes. The omega-3 fatty acids can also help protect against colon cancer.
8. Mushrooms – Many mushrooms contain compounds that can help the body fight cancer and build the immune system as well.
9. Cruciferous Vegetables – Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts contain strong antioxidants that may help decrease cancer risk.
10. Whole Grains – Whole grains contain a variety of anti-cancer compounds including antioxidants, fiber, and phytoestrogens. These can help decrease the risk of developing most types of cancer.
Remember, along with a healthy diet, a physically active lifestyle is important for cancer prevention as well.
Want to talk food? You can drop us a line via our contact page or “like” us on Facebook to get in on the conversation!
Image credit: William Couch on flickr creative commons.
More on Disease Prevention:
Pomegranate Juice May Help Prevent Cancer
Preventing Osteoporosis: Food and Drink to Build Bone Density
Whole Food Nutrition vs. Supplements
Read about turmeric and red bush tea.
[...] and Health10 Foods to Prevent Cancer Food [...]
Plus, most of the items on this list are quite tasty. I mix flax seed oil with protein shakes. There still is a slight bitter taste, but it is very minimal. Also, it is worth to note that frozen fruits and vegetables are good for you. Frozen vegetables can actually be better for you because it keeps the nutrients in the vegetable. As I like to say, Eat well, eat healthy, your taste buds can’t save you!
Only way the food will ever be healthy is to grow it yourself with out pesticides or herbicide’s, every food source in a grocery store has been subjected to chemicals.
Unless it is organic and grown at home, it will have residual carcinogens.
WOW! Thank you so very much! I’m a young adult and I can’t wait to start my life the right way. I’m heading to the natural food store to pick these up tomorrow morning!
I love how God supplies everything we need to be healthy and whole. Thank you Jesus!
[...] and Health10 Foods to Prevent Cancer Nutrition & [...]
I've taken her to the vet already for breast cancer, which they removed about 2 years ago. But now it's back, and I'm trying to decide at the moment if I want to have the surgery done one more time, and this time feed her some of the foods listed here, or if I should just let her go because she is about 3 years old. But she's like my baby, and it kills me to just let her die. I'm sorry to hear about your little guy. =(
And actually- I might have some of those vitadrops laying around from when I use to have a guinea pig. Thanks for the idea…
I am wondering, yes, this all works for humans, but what about animals? such as- a rat?
I know what u mean, my rat died from testicular cancer tumor. Bleh! Fink lived for a good long 3 yrs. (I think it's because rodents are inbred when they are sold as "pets".) He really liked strawberries and watermellon, he didn't really know what to do w/ broccoli? you could add small bits in w/ the regular pellet mix, add some fresh seeds, and oats. there is a liquid vitamins supplement u can mix w/ their water: Vita-Drops. OR you could get laughed out of the vets office…
great info….superfoods rx is a great book on the subject.
I have a gene that loves to make cancer cells. I have one kidney and half of a bladder. what all foods can I eat to help myself and what atypes of exercize. please help
Hi, I just saw this. I just found a fabulous source for natural cures, it is called: http://www.earthclinic.com
The site has numerous alternative treatment for most ailments–and what I love about it the most is that people from all over the world comment on what works–and what doesn’t.
Check it out–you may just find a cure that could help you!
All the best,
Lala