Cancer Fighting Foods

Cancer Fighting Foods

Eating healthy gives you many benefits besides losing weight. Eating healthy makes your immune system stronger to fight off diseases such as: cancer, obesity, heart disease, diabetes and many more. Recently, I heard on the news that death from cancer in Latin America is going to increase up to 106% by 2030. That news terrified me because it seems as though people don’t pay attention to their health until they are diagnosed with some sort of disease. That shouldn’t be the case, we should be worrying about our health from the beginning of our life because we need to have healthy bodies strong enough to defend against diseases.

I’m sure that almost all of us know somebody who is fighting cancer or has fought cancer. In the last century this horrible disease has spread throughout the world as a massive avalanche and unfortunately, the world is not prepared to fight back. People focus on how to destroy the disease once you have it but there is not enough information on how to prevent it, which is the most important part.

There are hundreds of articles that explain that eating antioxidants, vitamins and minerals will fight against diseases but do you know where to find them? In this blog post I will give you a list of foods that will help you prevent cancer. It is not a magic list, however, it will arm your body with nutrients that will protect you.

First things first, let me explain to you how cancer forms:

Let’s keep things simple. Our body cells grow and divide to make new cells when you need them. Once the cells get older or damaged they die and new cells take their place. Cancer begins when a genetic impairment disrupts this process and cells start growing uncontrollably. Cells may then form a mass known as tumor which can be cancerous (malignant) or benign. Then as these cells grow they can travel to other parts of your body through your bloodstream or lymphatic system, a process known as metastasis.

Preventative Diet:

Now that you know how it forms, let’s talk about what we can eat to prevent it.

Allium vegetables:

• Garlic
• Onions
• Scallions
• Leeks
• Shallots

They have sulphur compounds associated with lowering risk of prostate, breast, and ovarian cancer.

Cruciferous vegetables:

• Broccoli
• Kale
• Cabbage
• Collards

These vegetables have glucosionates that are also part of the sulphur group. They also have detoxifying compounds which prevent and reverse cancer.

Green foods:

• Barley grass
• Alfalfa
• Spinach
• Arugula
• Cholerella
• Spirulina

They all have phytonutrients that detoxifies and rejuvenate your system. These foods are rich in chlorophyll which have blood-purifying properties and fight cancer at a molecular level.

Foods rich in fiber:

• Beans
• Whole grains.
• Oats
• Fruits

They improve intestinal transit time. Fiber also binds to carcinogens, thus reducing exposure to them. It decreases the risk of colon cancer and diverticular disease.

• Vitamin C
• Citrus food
• Berries

Vitamin C is an antioxidant. It promotes antibody responses. Reduces the production of nitrosamines that are formed when you eat smoked and processes meats which are highly carcinogenic. Take about 500-1000 mgs daily. Berries have flavonoids, antioxidants and phytochemicals that have anti-cancer effects.

Vitamin A:

• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Squashes
• Greens
• Spinach
• Broccoli

Vitamin A helps in cellular differentiation and prevents cancer formation by inhibiting the binding of carcinogen to the cell wall. Beta-carotene protects the DNA. It is also an antioxidant that scavenges free radicals.

These are some recommendations to start preparing your body to fight against cancer. I encourage you to do your own research in order to be informed of what are the best foods to eat for your body!