12 Cancer Fighting Tips

Written by: Dr. Robert Neposlan

The following cancer fighting tips were sourced from the lifestyle page at msn.com. “Living well” does not have to be difficult. By making small modifications to the choices we make, these “everyday tips” can make a huge difference in the long term.

Cancer Fighting Research and Tips

1. The more fat you eat, the greater your risk of developing a fatal form of cancer. In a study of more than 500,000 people reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, those who ate the most fat (greater than 40% of their daily calories)were 23% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer compared to those who ate the least (about 20% of their calories). Limiting your fat calories to 20-35% (about 40-70grams) per day is recommended.
2. Research in 2009 suggests that egg yolk may be cancer protective. The yellow stuff is rich in Choline which has been linked to lower rates of breast cancer. One egg yolk delivers approximately 25% of your daily needs.
3. Eating cabbage goes a long way. Each 22 calorie cup of cabbage is loaded with sulforaphane, a chemical that increases your body’s production of the enzymes that disarm the cell damaging cancer-causing free radicals.
4. A 2009 report in the International Journal of Cancer shows that people who ate the most folate rich leafy greens, such as spinach, had half as many skin cancer tumours as those who ate the least. It is thought that the folate in greens helps repair DNA.
5. Bite into some blackberries. Blackberries contain anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that have been shown to fight various forms of cancer. This is according to a study in Cancer Prevention Research.
6. Try adding a little cheese. A large scale study of 120,000 women found that premenopausal women who consumed a lot of dairy products especially low fat products experienced a lower rate of breast cancer.
7. Serve salmon or any other form of fish. Fish is widely known to contain omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3’s can modify your cancer risk.
8. When eating carbohydrates, make sure they are whole grain. Whole grain carbohydrates are a great source of fibre. Research has shown those who ate a diet that was high in fibre also had a 40% lower risk of colon cancer.
9. Sip hot tea!! A 2007 study in the Journal of Nutrional Biochemistry found that drinking 2-6 cups of hot green tea a day helps prevent skin cancer and may reverse aging affects of the sun. Drink it hot to reap the greatest amounts of cathecins, a powerful antioxidant with proven anti-cancer properties.
10. Foods high in Vitamin D, like low fat milk, help detoxify cancer causing chemicals released during the digestion of high fat foods, according to a study at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre.
11. Order drinks with a twist. According to University of Arizona research, lemon and orange zest contain d-limonene, an antioxidant that can reduce your risk of skin cancer up to 30% if you consume quantities as small as 1 tablespoon a week.
12. Eat from the rainbow. A 14-year study found that those diets high in fruits and vegetables had a 70% lower risk of digestive tract cancers. When selecting vegetables take a little of everything, each will provide a different combination of nutrients and antioxidants.

I have often said that making changes in lifestyle does not have to be difficult. By following some of these suggestions, making small changes and additions can have profound long-term benefits.