Discover Cancer Fighting Foods

Interest in cancer fighting foods continues to grow. Indeed, in recent years, numerous books have been written about anti cancer foods and the role of good nutrition.

Thousands of scientific studies have now been conducted on the subject. Researchers have investigated the average diets of populations that exhibit low incidence of different types of cancer. Most recently, the American Cancer Society has concluded that 14-20% of all cancer deaths in the United States are related to obesity or excess weight. About 30% of all Americans are obese and most are overweight.

Experts agree that anti cancer foods are foods that are rich in anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation is believed to lead to many types of cancer, as well as heart disease, and recent studies have shown that body fat produces chemicals that cause inflammation.

This research supports the importance of a healthy diet that includes cancer fighting foods, most of which are fruits and vegetables, and limits dietary fats. Additionally, there is no substitute for a regular exercise program for weight management.

Making drastic changes in your diet can be difficult and frustrating. You may find more success by making little changes over an extended period of time. If the cancer fighting foods mentioned here are not those that you are accustomed to eating, try adding one or two different ones to your diet each month.

Remember to keep in mind any known allergies. When trying a food or spice that you have never eaten before, watch for reactions, such as itching, hives or swelling of the lips and mouth. Severe allergic reactions to foods can cause anaphylactic shock, which can be life threatening, and those people who have other allergies or asthma are more at risk and should use care when trying new foods.

It can also be helpful to buy foods that are grown locally. These are less likely to cause allergic reactions. Limiting new foods to one a day will help you identify food sensitivities or allergies.

Berries are among the most powerful anti cancer foods. Blueberries have been shown in animals studies to inibit the production of an enzyme responsible for tumor growth. Bilberry has been shown to inhibit the growth of leukemia and cancer cells in the laboratory. Pomegranates (a member of the berry family) are considered cancer fighting foods because of their effect on breast, prostrate and skin cancer in lab studies. Additionally, pomegranate seeds are natural anti-inflammatories.

The goal for an anti-cancer diet is to eat mostly plant foods. It appears that diets that are two-thirds fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains are most effective. Recommended anti cancer foods are high in B-complex (shown to provide protection from cell mutation and reduce risk of pancreatic cancer) and D vitamins (curbs growth of cancer cells, reduces risk of breast and lung cancer).

A group of vegetables known as cruciferous are high in both B-complex and D vitamins. Examples of cruciferous vegetables include cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, turnip greens, kale and cabbage. In laboratory studies, these vegetables have been shown to shrink prostrate and colon cancer tumors and eating them is believed to reduce the development of colon polyps (a precursor to colon cancer), even in those people who are genetically predisposed to them.

The Cancer Cure Foundation, a non-profit providing information on alternative and complementary therapies since 1976, adds the following anti cancer foods: avocadoes, figs, flax seed, grapefruit, red grapes, green and yellow leafy vegetables, mushrooms, nuts, oranges, lemons, papayas, seaweed, soy, sweet potatoes, tapioca, tomatoes, watermelon and red peppers. You may have noticed that the majority of the cancer fighting foods are particularly colorful.

Those same phytochemicals that give these fruits and vegetables there bright colors are cancer fighting agents. Thus, the reason behind the recommendation to eat a variety of different colored fruits and vegetables, every day.

Just because you are increasing fruits and vegetables in your diet does not mean that it must be bland. Several spices have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties.

Curcurmin, the main ingredient in curry and used for flavoring in many Indian dishes, is a known anti-inflammatory, boosts immune system strength and is believed to have a negative affect on all forms of cancer. Ginger kills cancer cells in laboratory tests. Garlic, chili peppers, rosemary and jalapenos are all included in the Cancer Cure Foundation's recommendations for anti cancer foods.

And then there is the mangosteen. Not related to the more common mango and only available in the form of a health supplement puree in many parts of the world, this fruit from southeast Asia may be the most effective of the cancer fighting foods. The rind of the mangosteen was a staple in traditional Thai medicine and, since 2002 has been the subject of numerous laboratory studies, both in the United States and in Asia.

The anti-oxidants in the mangosteen are so powerful that they are referred to as xanthones. Initially identified as a natural anti-inflammatory in 2002, it was discovered in 2004 that components of the rind could inhibit COX-2 activity, without inhibiting COX-1 production. COX-2 enzymes cause inflammation. COX-1 enzymes protect the lining of the digestive tract. Anti-inflammatories like aspirin and ibruprofren upset the stomach and can cause ulcers because they inhibit both COX-1 and 2 production. In studies of nine different potential anti-cancer foods, the Department of Microbiology at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand showed that the mangosteen was the most potent in preventing proliferation of breast cancer cells.

Other lab tests have shown that it can induce the death of colon, leukemia, liver, gastric and lung cancer cells. All of these studies concluded that components of the mangosteen have potential for use in the treatment and prevention of cancer. If you have reason to be concerned about food allergies, the mangosteen has been shown to be an anti-allergen.

If you are really interested in optimal nutrition and warding off diseases, you might want to add a mangosteen supplement to your diet of cancer fighting foods, get regular exercise and reduce your waistline.

Mike Leuthen is chief editor of http://www.restore-your-health.com Visit us on the web for more free great cancer fighting foods and to ask the editor your questions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Leuthen

Garlic and a Healthy Cancer Prevention Diet

By Mark Ransome

Garlic belongs to the Allium family of vegetables which also includes onions, chives, shallots and leeks. Current research has shown that a number of readily available foods such as garlic and onions that make up a healthy diet, actually have a major impact on cancer prevention. These cancer fighting foods seem to have the ability to interfere with the development of cancerous tumors. Cancer fighting foods all contain large amounts of certain phytochemicals. Phytochemicals were developed by nature to protect plants against damage caused by insects, disease and environmental stress. These phytochemical molecules are the ones that give fruits and vegetables their brilliant colors, provide the smell to garlic and the astringent taste to tea. It is very likely that these phytochemicals, not the vitamins and minerals, that are the source of the cancer prevention capabilities of these healthy foods.

Current research on the anti-cancer potential of the Allium family – particularly garlic – seems to show that these vegetables seem to reduce the incidence of cancers of the digestive system. Studies have also shown that garlic may also help prevent prostrate cancer. Garlic and onions contain allicin which is unstable and breaks down into a number of phytochemical compounds including diallyl sulfide and diallyl disulfide which appear to increase the ability of immune cells to fight cancer and also break down cancer causing toxic substances. These sulfur-based phytochemicals fight tumor development and are capable of neutralizing the effect of potential nitrite carcinogens which are used as preservatives in some foods. Studies have linked garlic, onions, leeks and chives to lower risk of cancers of the digestive system. The protective effect of garlic seems to be greater than that of onions, even though onion consumption has been shown to reduce the risk of stomach cancer. Most of the available research comes from epidemiologic observational studies comparing populations who do or do not consume garlic and onions. Other studies are based on animal trials and cell culture studies. The October 2000 issue of the American Journal of Nutrition had a summary of a number epidemiologic studies which showed that people who consumed cooked or raw garlic on a regular basis compared to those that ate little or none had about half the risk of stomach cancer and one-third less risk of colorectal cancer. These studies did not show that garlic supplements had the same benefits. It should be noted that these studies are not yet verified by clinical trials in human populations.

Our garlic consumption in North America is much less than many other areas of the world even though population areas where large quantities of garlic are consumed seem to have significantly fewer cancers of the digestive system. In the US, only 20% of the population eats more than 2 grams of garlic per week. Excessive garlic consumption can have adverse effects including bad breath, allergic reactions, stomach disorders and diarrhea. Freshly crushed garlic should be our choice as a source for the anti-cancer compounds we require.

Eating a healthy balanced diet can provide our bodies with many thousands of different phytochemicals. However not all fruits, vegetables and other plant products provide the best anti-cancer phytochemicals. The ten best groups of anti-cancer foods are discussed in our website www.benefits-of-antioxidants.com They include: berries and citrus fruits, cruciferous vegetables, garlic and onions, green tea, omega-3 essential fatty acids, olive oil, tomatoes, soy products, red wine and dark chocolate.

Mark Ransome is a contributing editor and writer for the popular new website Benefits of Antioxidants. Visitors will have access to a new free diet and weight loss program: The Psychiatrist’s Weight Loss Program.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Ransome

Common Cancer-Causing Substances

What is cancer?
In the simplest terms, cancer is a disease initiated by your own body, where your own cells start to proliferate madly and uncontrollably, until these cancer cells disrupt normal systems and eventually kill the body.
If you think about it, it's kind of like unintentional suicide. However, there are ways to control or even prevent this deadly disease. Find out about the most common cancer-causing agents (both artificial and natural), and how to decrease your risk of developing it.
astonishing findings
In North America alone, there are more than 30,000 chemicals, either manufactured or imported from abroad, that have been proven to or are suspected of causing cancer. In the past, cancer was believed to be caused by certain types of viruses; however, it is known now that more than 80% of all cancers are caused by behavioral factors and are under human control.
not-so-astonishing findings
It still boggles me to this day how millions of Americans disregard their own health and continue to smoke and drink on a regular basis. In fact, 2 of the leading causes of cancer in our nation are tobacco smoke and poor diet.
These 2 factors are responsible for more than 2/3 of all cancers diagnosed each year. Another interesting finding is that chemical pollutants only account for about 5% of all cancers diagnosed each year. But this number could be even higher since it's extremely difficult to calculate exactly what effect these pollutants have on the general population.
l<strong>ess exposure, less risk
The simple truth of it all is that the less you are exposed to carcinogens (the term commonly used for cancer-causing agents), the less risk you have of developing the disease.
In fact, cancerous cells are commonly present in our bodies on a regular basis, but do no harm since healthy immune systems detect the cancer cells and eliminate them right away.
However, the problem worsens when cells are exposed to carcinogens for longer periods of time, and the immune system becomes weaker. These cells then have free reign to proliferate as much as they want.
artificial carcinogens
For a complete list of artificial carcinogens, check out this link: http://physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/carcinogens.html.
The following list contains carcinogens that have been proven without a doubt to cause cancer in humans. You will inevitably come into contact with many of these compounds throughout your lifetime. What's important is to minimize this contact as much as possible.
Arsenic (Inorganic Arsenic): It's commonly used in manufacturing plants and is usually discarded into rivers and lakes. This dangerous substance can end up in your tap water if not filtered correctly in your regional water purification plant. Arsenic is so carcinogenic that it only takes 50 ppb (parts per billion) in water for the risk factor of developing cancer to jump to 1 in 100 people.
Benzene: It's commonly found in tobacco smoke and auto gas emissions, as well as plastics, pesticides and detergents.
More on harmful carcinogens
Benzidine: It's an industrial chemical that has been used for more than 60 years as an intermediate in the production of dyes. More than 250 benzidine-based dyes have been manufactured to date. They are used primarily for dyeing textiles, paper and leather products. In recent years, general use of benzidine has fallen dramatically because of its potential carcinogenic properties.
Bis (2-Chloromethyl) Ether: This is a colorless liquid with a suffocating odor, which can be found in our environment from industrial waste. Ultimately, this carcinogen may end up on your dinner plate, inside seafood and fish.
Cadmium (Inorganic Cadmium): This mineral is used in the production of batteries, plastics, pigments, and metal coatings. Yes, even cigarette smoke contains trace amounts of this deadly substance.
Chlorinated Paraffin Waxes: Used in manufacturing candles.
Chromium (Hexavalent Chromium): This chemical was the infamous chromium exposed in the highly acclaimed movie, Erin Brokovich .
3,3-Dichlorobenzidine: Another substance used in dyes and can be found in spray containers of paints, lacquers and enamels.
Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP): This is used primarily as one of several plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins for fabricating flexible vinyl products. These PVC resins are used to manufacture many products, including teething rings, pacifiers, soft squeeze toys, balls, vinyl upholstery, tablecloths, shower curtains, raincoats, adhesives, polymeric coatings, components of paper and paperboard, defoaming agents, enclosures for food containers, animal glue, surface lubricants, flexible devices for administering parenteral solutions, and other products that must stay flexible and non-injurious for the lifetime of their use. Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is also used to manufacture vinyl gloves used for medical examinations and surgery (about 500 million pairs annually).
Dichloromethane: This compound is used principally as a solvent in paint removers. It is also used as an aerosol propellant; processing solvent in the manufacturing of steroids, antibiotics, vitamins, and tablet coatings; as a degreasing agent; and in electronics manufacturing. Dichloromethane is also used in metal cleaning, as a solvent in the production of polycarbonate resins and triacetate fibers, in film processing, in ink formulations, and as an extraction solvent for spice oleoresins, caffeine and hops. Dichloromethane was once -- but is no longer -- registered for use in the US as an insecticide for commodity fumigation of strawberries, citrus fruits, and a variety of grains.
aspartame, coffee and soda
For many years, stories have circulated around the world that artificial sweeteners, especially Aspartame (better known as NutraSweet and Equal), cause several types of cancers, especially brain tumors.
However, a recent article in Chatelaine stated that it has finally been proven that all artificial sweeteners do not cause cancer in humans. The FDA has conducted numerous clinical trials on the long-term effects of these sweeteners, both on animals and human subjects, and the findings were conclusive.
Coffee and soda pop have one thing in common: they both contain a lot of caffeine. Other rumors have surfaced over the past years that long-term consumption of caffeine can cause cancer as well.
These rumors have never been proven as fact, despite numerous clinical trials. Keep in mind though, that moderation with everything is always the safest way to go.
natural carcinogens
Most of the cancer-causing substances in our environment have always been there -- they are "natural." The food people buy at health food stores contain masses of chemicals. All plants produce toxins to protect themselves from insects and fungi -- these are "natural pesticides."
An innocent looking leaf of cabbage contains at least 52 such natural pesticides, and more than half have produced cancers in rodents. Dioxin, a chemical claimed to be the deadliest entity ever created by man, has a natural analog in broccoli.
This does not mean, however, that you should stop eating these otherwise healthy foods. Humans have evolved stronger immune systems to combat the ill effects of such natural carcinogens, and the best thing you can do is carefully wash your fruits and vegetables before eating them.
Many cancer researchers and nutritionists recommend that Americans not only increase their intake of fruits and vegetables, but also reduce their intake of red meat, alcoholic beverages and fatty foods, as well as reduce their overall caloric intake.
Another natural carcinogen is fat. Too much of it can kill you, and I don't mean heart attacks. A diet rich in fats was proven to cause many kinds of cancers including colon, stomach, rectum, and prostate.
prevention is key
Eating a wide variety of foods is desirable for nutritional reasons, and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables has always been recognized as good nutritional advice.
Fruits and vegetables are beneficial in that they are known to contain many protective "anticarcinogens" -- compounds that have been shown to counteract the cancer process initiated by carcinogens.
These compounds are commonly referred to as phytochemicals, and help in reducing oxidation of cells that usually cause cancer. As a side note, blueberries have one of the highest levels of these antioxidants out of all the foods we eat.
As well, one should exercise regularly. However, be careful not to exercise too much outdoors if you live in an area with high smog and pollution levels. Your increased breathing and heart rate will ultimately take in more of those unwanted environmental carcinogens than needed. Go jogging or biking on a nice clear day.
Overall, if you live a healthy lifestyle by eating the right foods and exercising regularly, not only will you prevent cancer from attacking you, but you'll also prevent many other diseases as well. Eat right, exercise regularly, and live well.
By Joshua Levine