
Your Diet and Cancer by Joy Morgan
Did you know that there are about 8.2 million deaths worldwide caused by cancer today? Worse, the National Cancer Institute estimates this number to rise by 22 million within the next two decades. Today it seems everyone is getting diagnosed with cancer. If not you, then someone you know will likely be diagnosed with cancer. Despite the bleak forecast, there are ways that we can greatly improve our health and delay the onset of cancer and other diseases.
You truly are what you eat. The food we consume can either cause and foster cancer cells, or prevent and destroy them. Choosing the right foods is vital in preventing cancer, treating cancer, and recovering from cancer. In an effort to share the ‘right foods’ one must also consider where our food comes from, what it comes shipped in, and how it is prepared.
Why What You Eat is SO Important
For those who have been diagnosed with cancer, it is especially important to monitor what foods they consume. Individuals suffering with cancer have a weakened immune system and have a crucial need to fuel the body with nutrient rich foods that will help the body endure both the disease and the treatments.
Various studies are proving that specific foods carry the nutrients that can combat and kill cancer and cancer-causing cells, as well as build immune system health, both aiding the body in recovery and in wellness.
Eat Organic
Genetically modified organisms are currently the majority of produce available to the public, even though there is little research available on the effects of consuming GMO produce on human health. GMO crops have genetic mutations that allow them to survive applications of toxic pesticides and herbicides in order to have higher crop yields and save money for crop producers. Not only is it widely believed amongst the holistic community that GMO crops have lower nutritional value, the pesticide coating on produce is causing extremely adverse health effects, including cancer.
Packaging and Processing Matters
If your food is wrapped in plastic… throw it away and never look back. Most plastic on the shelf contains bisphenol A (BPA), which is known to leach out of plastics as the packaging ages, if the food is microwaved, or if the packaging is washed with harsh detergents. In the journal, Environmental Health Perspectives, low dose exposure of BPA to mice resulted in birth defects and death, as well as testicular and breast cancer. This exemplifies why microwaving your food with a plastic cover is so dangerous to human health, because doing this directly releases toxins into the food, altering its chemistry negatively. Plastic wrap, bottles, containers, and Styrofoam containers are all classified as endocrine disruptors by the National Institute of Environmental Health Institute. You might consider stainless steel, ceramic, or other non-plastic alternatives for food storage.
The Good Stuff
Ingesting antioxidant rich foods can help prevent cancer and treat cancer. Antioxidants are naturally occurring molecules that protect the body from ravenous free radicals. When antioxidants donate an electron, both the free radical and the antioxidant are stable and the body can continue to operate in good health.
If you haven’t already heard, free radicals are currently in your body scavenging for a spare electron to stabilize their molecular structure. Free radicals steal electrons from other molecules such as fats, proteins, cell membrane, and fragile DNA. There has been an association established with high amounts of free radicals in the body causing cell damage, leading to diseases and cancer.
My mother always told me, if your plate is colorful, then you are taking in key nutrients. Below are some vitamins and nutrients with naturally occurring antioxidants and immune system boosters, many of which you can identify by color alone!
- Anthocyanins: Purple in pigment, this is easily discoverable and remembered by rich colored foods, such as; berries, eggplant, red cabbage, red grapes, and raspberries.
- Beta-carotene: Deep orange in pigment. Can be found in: carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, spinach, squash, cantaloupe, and peaches. I remember this because carotene and carrot sound similar!
- Lycopene: Bright red in pigment: Can be found in: tomatoes, watermelons, and papayas. Vitamin C: Renowned for being a cold buster is an excellent support for the immune system AND an antioxidant. Can be found in: red and yellow bell peppers, kiwis, broccoli, cabbage, strawberries, and, of course, citrus fruits like oranges and lemons.
- Vitamin E: It is important to also incorporate good fats into your diet. Vitamin E is fat soluble and found in: Green vegetables, nuts, seeds, and oils like sunflower and safflower.
Ultimately
It’s What’s Inside that Counts; the organic properties and the nutritional values of the food you eat, what chemicals are leached into the food, all determine if your diet is helping your health or hurting your health. Whether you are currently diagnosed with cancer or if you’re aiming to prevent cancer in your life, it is imperative that you are mindful of your food and your meal preparations. If consumed properly, food can be medicine and it can help to strengthen your body to fight off disease.
References
Perinatal Bisphenol A Exposure Increases Estrogen Sensitivity of the Mammary Gland in Diverse Mouse Strains.
Wadia, P. R., Vandenberg, L. N., Schaeberle, C. M., Rubin, B. S., & al, e. (2007).
November 21st,2017
Retrieved from https://bluehawk.monmouth.edu:2443/login?url=https://bluehawk.monmouth.edu:4764/docview/222617126?accountid=12532
Endocrine Disruptors
National Institute of Environmental Health Institute
Does Grilling your Food Really Cause Cancer?
Mens Health Magazine
Paul Kita
https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/does-grilling-really-cause-cancer
November, 14th, 2017
National Cancer Institute
Link: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer
Date Visited: November 13th, 2017
Title:Pesticides and cancer epidemiology in the agricultural health study
Author: Laura Beane Freeman
Publication: Occupational & Environmental Medicine
Link: http://oem.bmj.com/content/73/Suppl_1/A115.2
Date Visited: November 13th, 2017
Do Microwave Ovens Destroy Food Nutrients?
Author: Lana Billings-Smith
https://www.livestrong.com/article/368262-do-microwave-ovens-destroy-food-nutrients/
November 14th, 2017
Author/ Website Name: National Cancer Institute
Link: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/antioxidants-fact-sheet
Date Visited: November 13th, 2017
Title: What are Free Radicals?
Author: Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM
Link:https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/what-are-free-radicals/ Date Retrieved: November 13, 2017
What are Free Radicals?
Dr. Edward Group
Global Healing Center
https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/what-are-free-radicals/
Retrieved November 14th, 2017
Additional References:
Vitamin C decreased risk. Processed red and white meats increased risk. Alcohol intake and BMI/ saturated fats increased risk.
http://bluehawk.monmouth.edu:2053/science/article/pii/S0959804910007033
Title: Diet and cancer prevention: Contributions from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study
Author: Carlos A. Gozalez & Elio Riboli
Published: European Journal of Cancer
Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2010.07.025
Retrieved: November 13th,2017
etiology: the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition.
inversely associated definition
Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
Studies with evidence of correlation between eating specific foods and cancer risk as well as some methods: http://bluehawk.monmouth.edu:2053/science/article/pii/S0959804901000703
Author is an MD; polyphenols, fish, antioxidants, no pesticides:
https://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/cancer-prevention-advice-world-without-cancer
Readers Digest Editors:
30 foods for cancer preventions
https://www.rd.com/health/conditions/10-foods-to-help-prevent-cancer/
Choosing Healthy Fats:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/choosing-healthy-fats.htm
Awesome article to use as model, GMO, cooking Methods + carcinogens, spice with cancer fighters,
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/diets/cancer-prevention-diet.htm
Another Model Article; Goes through bad and good foods + compounds cites EPIC a scholarly study etc.
https://draxe.com/cancer-fighting-foods/
Here is the study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20843485
30-40% of cancer is preventable: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17172193
Healthy eating after cancer diagnosis
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthy-eating/cancer-diagnosis
Detoxification process: eliminating toxins, helping the body, preventing cancer. Foods and cooking methods that cause cancer.
https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/strategies-for-cancer-prevention/
Extrinsic Risk Factors to Cancer Development: 70%
https://bluehawk.monmouth.edu:4764/docview/1755758199?pq-origsite=summon
Food packaging and plastic wrap toxic.