Discover Cancer Fighting Foods

Interest in cancer fighting foods continues tocancer tumors and eating them is believed to
grow. Indeed, in recent years, numerous booksreduce the development of colon polyps (a
have been written about anti cancer foods andprecursor to colon cancer), even in those people
the role of good nutrition.who are genetically predisposed to them.
Thousands of scientific studies have now beenThe Cancer Cure Foundation, a non-profit
conducted on the subject. Researchers haveproviding information on alternative and
investigated the average diets of populations thatcomplementary therapies since 1976, adds the
exhibit low incidence of different types of cancer.following anti cancer foods: avocadoes, figs, flax
Most recently, the American Cancer Society hasseed, grapefruit, red grapes, green and yellow
concluded that 14-20% of all cancer deaths in theleafy vegetables, mushrooms, nuts, oranges,
United States are related to obesity or excesslemons, papayas, seaweed, soy, sweet potatoes,
weight. About 30% of all Americans are obesetapioca, tomatoes, watermelon and red peppers.
and most are overweight.You may have noticed that the majority of the
Experts agree that anti cancer foods are foodscancer fighting foods are particularly colorful.
that are rich in anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatoryThose same phytochemicals that give these fruits
properties. Chronic inflammation is believed to leadand vegetables there bright colors are cancer
to many types of cancer, as well as heartfighting agents. Thus, the reason behind the
disease, and recent studies have shown that bodyrecommendation to eat a variety of different
fat produces chemicals that cause inflammation.colored fruits and vegetables, every day.
This research supports the importance of aJust because you are increasing fruits and
healthy diet that includes cancer fighting foods,vegetables in your diet does not mean that it
most of which are fruits and vegetables, andmust be bland. Several spices have been shown
limits dietary fats. Additionally, there is noto have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and
substitute for a regular exercise program foranti-cancer properties.
weight management.Curcurmin, the main ingredient in curry and used
Making drastic changes in your diet can be difficultfor flavoring in many Indian dishes, is a known
and frustrating. You may find more success byanti-inflammatory, boosts immune system
making little changes over an extended period ofstrength and is believed to have a negative affect
time. If the cancer fighting foods mentioned hereon all forms of cancer. Ginger kills cancer cells in
are not those that you are accustomed to eating,laboratory tests. Garlic, chili peppers, rosemary
try adding one or two different ones to your dietand jalapenos are all included in the Cancer Cure
each month.Foundation's recommendations for anti cancer
Remember to keep in mind any known allergies.foods.
When trying a food or spice that you have neverAnd then there is the mangosteen. Not related to
eaten before, watch for reactions, such as itching,the more common mango and only available in
hives or swelling of the lips and mouth. Severethe form of a health supplement puree in many
allergic reactions to foods can cause anaphylacticparts of the world, this fruit from southeast Asia
shock, which can be life threatening, and thosemay be the most effective of the cancer fighting
people who have other allergies or asthma arefoods. The rind of the mangosteen was a staple
more at risk and should use care when tryingin traditional Thai medicine and, since 2002 has
new foods.been the subject of numerous laboratory studies,
It can also be helpful to buy foods that are grownboth in the United States and in Asia.
locally. These are less likely to cause allergicThe anti-oxidants in the mangosteen are so
reactions. Limiting new foods to one a day willpowerful that they are referred to as xanthones.
help you identify food sensitivities or allergies.Initially identified as a natural anti-inflammatory in
Berries are among the most powerful anti cancer2002, it was discovered in 2004 that components
foods. Blueberries have been shown in animalsof the rind could inhibit COX-2 activity, without
studies to inibit the production of an enzymeinhibiting COX-1 production. COX-2 enzymes cause
responsible for tumor growth. Bilberry has beeninflammation. COX-1 enzymes protect the lining of
shown to inhibit the growth of leukemia andthe digestive tract. Anti-inflammatories like aspirin
cancer cells in the laboratory. Pomegranates (aand ibruprofren upset the stomach and can cause
member of the berry family) are consideredulcers because they inhibit both COX-1 and 2
cancer fighting foods because of their effect onproduction. In studies of nine different potential
breast, prostrate and skin cancer in lab studies.anti-cancer foods, the Department of Microbiology
Additionally, pomegranate seeds are naturalat Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand showed
anti-inflammatories.that the mangosteen was the most potent in
The goal for an anti-cancer diet is to eat mostlypreventing proliferation of breast cancer cells.
plant foods. It appears that diets that areOther lab tests have shown that it can induce the
two-thirds fruits, vegetables, legumes and grainsdeath of colon, leukemia, liver, gastric and lung
are most effective. Recommended anti cancercancer cells. All of these studies concluded that
foods are high in B-complex (shown to providecomponents of the mangosteen have potential
protection from cell mutation and reduce risk offor use in the treatment and prevention of
pancreatic cancer) and D vitamins (curbs growthcancer. If you have reason to be concerned
of cancer cells, reduces risk of breast and lungabout food allergies, the mangosteen has been
cancer).shown to be an anti-allergen.
A group of vegetables known as cruciferous areIf you are really interested in optimal nutrition and
high in both B-complex and D vitamins. Exampleswarding off diseases, you might want to add a
of cruciferous vegetables include cauliflower,mangosteen supplement to your diet of cancer
broccoli, Brussels sprouts, turnip greens, kale andfighting foods, get regular exercise and reduce
cabbage. In laboratory studies, these vegetablesyour waistline.
have been shown to shrink prostrate and colon