All the medicine we need to live a healthy life is within our reach. It is contained in all foodstuffs which are green in the matter. These green foodstuffs if well administered in our lives, can conquer all body stubborn sicknesses including the incurable “cancer” that might interfere with our daily life.
A balanced diet is essential for maintaining good health and delaying the beginning of many disorders that affect the human body. Additionally, a balanced diet can help stop the development of cancer, as any oncologist or cancer specialist can confirm.
In this regard, the following recommendations will be helpful.
What to eat to keep cancer at bay.
1. Foods high in fiber.
Beans and other legumes, whole grain cereals, bread, and pasta are examples of foods high in fiber. I suggest including one serving of any food in this group with every meal.
Colorectal cancers are halted by dietary fiber. Fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts, and entire grains all contain it.
While you can minimize the use of refined grains, stay away from items that contain refined wheat flour (maida). Since polished white rice must be consumed, occasionally include unpolished brown rice in your diet.
Include millets, broken brown rice, broken wheat, and oats in your diet. They deliver flavor and crunch along with fiber. Use whole wheat or sooji (Rava) bread. White bread, biscuits, cakes, pasta, and any other homemade food produced with maida should all be avoided or consumed in moderation.
Flaxseeds: These are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and a class of antioxidants known as lignans. They could aid in the fight against lung, skin, breast, colon, and breast cancer. Sprinkle these seeds, which have been powdered, on salads or morning cereals.
Soybeans: Consuming soy products like tofu, edamame, and soy milk may lower your risk of developing certain cancers, such as breast, prostate, and stomach cancer.
2. Vegetables and fruits.
An enhanced survival rate following cancer diagnosis and treatment has been related in numerous studies to diets high in fruits and vegetables. According to a recent study, eating cruciferous veggies—which include green leafy vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage—during the first 36 months after breast cancer is linked to a lower chance of death.
Consume a lot of fruits and vegetables, aiming for 2 to 3 cups of non-starchy veggies every day, along with 112 to 2 cups of fruit (instead of starchy foods like potatoes and corn).
When selecting these goods, consider a range of colors as well. Berries and other foods with dark colors are especially rich in antioxidants.
Vegetables with leaves on them, such as spinach, amaranth, fenugreek, kale, mustard greens, coriander, moringa, etc., are high in carotenoids and folates. Both have a significant impact on cancer prevention.
Peas, lentils, and beans are common in Indian cuisine because they add protein and texture to the dish. Additionally, they are abundant in phytic acid and saponins, which stop the growth of cancer cells.
Cruciferous vegetables: Sulforaphane, a compound found in cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, knol-khol, and broccoli, is known to fight cancer.
Berries: Lycopene, an antioxidant that can stop cell damage, is abundant in tomatoes. The antioxidants known as anthocyanins are abundant in other berries like strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry.
Citrus fruits: These are high in Vitamin C and other antioxidants, as well as anti-mutagenic and anti-proliferative compounds that all help fight or prevent cancer.
3. Keep a healthy weight and engage in physical activity.
The risk of numerous cancers, including those of the breast, prostate, lung, colon, and kidney, may be reduced by maintaining a healthy weight.
Physical exercise also counts. Exercise on its own may reduce your chances of breast and colon cancer in addition to helping you manage your weight.
Adults who engage in any level of physical activity benefit in terms of their health. But aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week for significant health advantages. You can also combine strenuous and moderate activities. Include at least 30 minutes of physical activity in your daily schedule as a general rule; if you can do more, all the better.
4. Consuming dietary-fats.
In addition to being essential for many bodily functions, dietary fat also helps fight cancer.
Cold-pressed oils from seeds, nuts, and vegetables, such as sunflower, coconut, groundnut, mustard, sesame, and olive oils, should make up the majority of the fat in your diet.
Animal protein-derived fats like lard should be avoided or used in moderation. Dairy products, however, are healthy to eat.
– Eat more milk, curd, paneer (cottage cheese), and ghee (clarified butter).
– Avoid or consume cheese, cream, and butter in moderation.
Eat in moderation when it comes to dietary fat. As a result, you can gain weight and develop obesity. Additionally, obesity itself raises the risk of developing oesophageal, breast, endometrial, kidney, pancreatic, and bowel cancers.
5. Water
The chance of acquiring colon, breast, and prostate cancers, which are among the deadliest types of the disease, may be decreased by getting enough water daily. Dehydration can impair your immune system, whereas maintaining sufficient hydration supports your body’s organs.
The risk of breast, prostate, and colon cancers may be decreased by drinking enough water.
– 10 to 12 glasses of pure water should be consumed daily.
– As often as you can, eat soups, fruit juices, and buttermilk.
The color of your urine is a quick and easy way to determine whether you are getting enough water. Always have it be colorless or light yellow.
6. Avoid exposure to the sun.
One of the most prevalent cancers is skin cancer, which is also one of the most curable. Try the following advice:
Skip the noon sun: When the sun’s rays are at their strongest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., stay out of the sun.
Keep to the shadows. When you’re outside, try to spend as much time in the shade as you can. Also helpful are sunglasses and a hat with a wide brim.
Embrace any exposed places. Wear clothing that is loosely fitted, tightly woven, and covers as much of your skin as possible. Choose bright or dark hues over pastels or cotton that has been bleached because they reflect more ultraviolet light.
Don’t cut corners on sunscreen: Even on cloudy days, wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if you’re swimming or perspiring. Apply sunscreen liberally.
Avoid using sunlamps and tanning beds. These cause exactly as much harm as sunlight does.
7. Abstain from risky behavior.
Avoiding dangerous activities that can result in infections, which afterward may raise the risk of cancer, is another excellent cancer preventive strategy. For instance:
Sex should be safe. Use a condom when having sex and limit the number of sexual partners you have. A sexually transmitted infection, such as HIV or HPV, is more likely to be contracted the more sexual partners you have throughout your lifetime. Cancers of the lung, anus, and liver are more common in those with HIV or AIDS. The anus, penis, throat, vulva, and vaginal cancers may all be at increased risk as a result of HPV, which is most frequently linked to cervical cancer.
Never exchange needles. Sharing needles with those who use intravenous drugs increases the chance of contracting hepatitis B and C, which can raise the risk of liver cancer, as well as HIV. Consult a specialist if you’re worried about drug abuse or addiction.
8. Get immunized
Protection from specific viral infections is a part of cancer prevention. Consult your doctor about immunizations for:
B-type hepatitis Liver cancer risk can rise as a result of hepatitis B. Some adults at high risk, such as those who are sexually active but not in a mutually monogamous relationship, those who have STDs, those who use intravenous drugs, men who have sex with men, and health care or public safety workers who might be exposed to infected blood or bodily fluids, the hepatitis B vaccine is advised.
H. papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in addition to cervical and other genital malignancies. The HPV vaccine is advised for boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 12. Gardasil 9 has recently received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in males and females ages 9 to 45.
9. Seek regular medical check-ups.
You can boost your chances of finding cancer early, when treatment is most likely to be successful, by performing routine self-exams and screens for various malignancies, such as cancer of the skin, colon, cervix, and breast. Find out from your doctor which cancer screening program is best for you.
Keep Cancer At Bay: Eat Garlic, Turmeric, And Other Anti-Carcinogenic Foods (Herbs and spices).
1. Curcumin
Numerous studies have demonstrated the anti-cancerous benefits of curcumin, turmeric’s yellow chemical component. It has the power to eradicate cancer cells and stop more from proliferating. In bone, breast, brain, colon, stomach, bladder, kidney, prostate, and ovarian cancer cells, curcumin slows their growth. Additionally, it can kill cancer cells through apoptosis (a programmed cell death).
2. Garlic
Garlic is an allium vegetable, along with onions, shallots, scallions, and leeks, that may help prevent cancer, particularly of the stomach. When allium veggies are cut, the chemical that makes people cry their eyes out, organosulfur compounds, are present. Organosulfur contains immune-strengthening and anti-carcinogenic capabilities. A versatile cooking ingredient is a garlic. It can be cooked in the oven and then mashed into a spread, or it can be sautéed in a spoonful of olive oil and eaten with whole grain bread. It tastes great when added to recipes with meat and veggies.
3. Ginger
For the treatment of cancer, ginger has been deemed thousand times more effective than chemotherapy. It fights cancer naturally and functions as an antioxidant. The active ingredients 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol have anti-cancer effects on the gastrointestinal system and promote the death of cancer cells.
4. Cayenne pepper
According to Bontempo, cayenne includes capsaicin, a potent antioxidant. According to some laboratory tests, capsaicin is harmful to cancer cells. According to one study by scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, capsaicin can both slow down and destroy prostate cancer cells. Cayenne pepper not only prevents cancer but also gives many foods a great kick. To add flavor to snacks, try it on popcorn and dip. You can also combine it with other spices for a smoky-heat flavor.
5. Black pepper
Black pepper, which is a berry, contains the active ingredient piperine, a chemical component that occurs naturally and has potent antioxidant qualities. Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer discovered that pepper and turmeric both slowed the growth of breast tumor malignant stem cells in a study that was later published in the journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Healthy cells weren’t destroyed by the spice, though. Many different foods, including scrambled eggs, sliced tomatoes, soups, and casseroles, can benefit from the flavoring effect of pepper. Additionally, it is a more nutritious option than table salt in general.
6. Oregano
This flavorful herb used in pizzas has an active component known as carvacrol that is helpful in the treatment of prostate cancer. The capacity of oregano oil to attack cancer cells only while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
What to avoid eating to keep cancer at bay.
1. High quantities of red-meat.
Data spanning almost 20 years indicates that people who eat the most processed and red meat are more likely to pass away from cancer, especially colorectal, prostate, and stomach cancers.
No more than 18 ounces of red meat each week should be consumed, and very little, if any, should be processed meat products. Sausage, hot dogs, and deli meats are examples of processed meats.
The risk of colorectal cancer is increased by eating processed meats like salami, ham, sausages, and deli meat as well as red meats like mutton, cattle, pork, and game meat. Limit your intake of red meat, and stay away from processed meat completely. Incorporate more seafood and poultry into your diet.
2. Abuse of alcohol.
Men should only have two drinks each day, while women should only have one.
Alcohol use and malignancies of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and breast have been associated in numerous studies. Additionally, alcohol should not be drunk while receiving treatment for cancer since it can hinder your body’s capacity to heal.
3. Sugary drinks.
Sugar is abundant in fruit drinks, sodas, sports drinks, and energy beverages. These increase the risk of weight gain and obesity, which are linked to several malignancies.
Simply avoid them. Drink freshly squeezed fruit juices free of added sugar.
4. Chewing tobacco.
While chewing tobacco in the form of raw leaves or products like gutka raises the risk of mouth and oesophageal cancer, unlike smoking cigarettes, which are known to cause lung cancer.
We must understand that taking supplements won’t help. It’s crucial to eat a healthier diet. Healthcare providers should be more assertive in educating patients based on the data, and individuals should consult with their doctors before beginning a supplement regimen.
5. Salt
Reduce the amount of salt in your diet, regardless of the type. Stomach cancer risk is increased by a high-salt diet.
Pickled foods, snacks, processed foods, cheese, and branded butter (as opposed to homemade butter) should all be avoided or consumed in moderation.
6. Dietary supplements.
Approximately 50 to 60 percent of Americans, including 80 to 90 percent of cancer survivors, take one or more supplements. However, it’s possible that the supplements won’t be of any use.
The issue is that businesses are not required to provide the Food and Drug Administration with proof that supplements are helpful. These businesses only need to demonstrate that consuming supplements is safe.
In preventing prostate cancer, for instance, a recent study indicated no effect on selenium and vitamin E. The study’s participants who took these supplements had a higher risk of acquiring prostate cancer, and the men who took selenium also had a higher risk of developing diabetes.
Another study that followed cancer patients who consumed a wide variety of supplements, including multivitamins, discovered no reduction in death rates among supplement users.
Doctors should make every effort to give cancer patients who are receiving or have just ended cancer treatment the best nutrition and lifestyle advice available.
And not just cancer patients or survivors should heed this counsel. Anyone who follows a balanced diet will experience better health and reduce their risk of developing serious diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.