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Loading...27 Top Cancer-Fighting Foods
- Melissa Breyer
- February 22, 2011
- 3:30 pm
- 406 comments
One of the easiest and most effective ways to promote good health and to help protect against cancer is with your diet. The American Cancer society estimates that one third of all American cancer deaths might be diet-related. The conclusion is really pretty simple: kick cancer-loving food to the curb; embrace healthful food. The foods on this list, prepared by the Cancer Cure Foundation, have the ability to help stave off cancer and some can even help inhibit cancer cell growth or reduce tumor size. The list is not complete–there are other anti-cancer edibles–but this features the all-stars and is an excellent starting point. (Click through to the last page for a printable quick-list.)
Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower have a chemical component called indole-3-carbinol that can combat breast cancer by converting a cancer-promoting estrogen into a more protective variety. Broccoli, especially sprouts, also have the phytochemical sulforaphane, a product of glucoraphanin–believed to aid in preventing some types of cancer, like colon and rectal cancer. Sulforaphane induces the production of certain enzymes that can deactivate free radicals and carcinogens. The enzymes have been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors in tests. However, be aware that the Agriculture Department studied 71 types of broccoli plants and found a 30-fold difference in the amounts of glucoraphanin. It appears that the more bitter the broccoli is, the more glucoraphanin it has. Broccoli sprouts have been developed under the trade name BroccoSprouts that have a consistent level of sulforaphane–as much as 20 times higher than the levels found in mature heads of broccoli.
Carrots contain a lot of beta carotene, which may help reduce a wide range of cancers including lung, mouth, throat, stomach, intestine, bladder, prostate and breast. Some research indicated beta carotene may actually cause cancer, but this has not proven that eating carrots, unless in very large quantities–2 to 3 kilos a day, can cause cancer. In fact, a substance called falcarinol that is found in carrots has been found to reduce the risk of cancer, according to researchers at Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences (DIAS). Kirsten Brandt, head of the research department, explained that isolated cancer cells grow more slowly when exposed to falcarinol. This substance is a polyacethylen, however, so it is important not to cook the carrots.
Kale has indoles, nitrogen compounds which may help stop the conversion of certain lesions to cancerous cells in estrogen-sensitive tissues. In addition, isothiocyanates, phytochemicals found in kale, are thought to suppress tumor growth and block cancer-causing substances from reaching their targets.
Mushrooms: Shiitake, maitake, reishi, Agaricus blazei Murill, and Coriolus Versicolor appear to help the body fight cancer and build the immune system. These mushrooms contain polysaccharides, especially Lentinan, powerful compounds that help in building immunity. They are a source of Beta Glucan. They also have a protein called lectin, which attacks cancerous cells and prevents them from multiplying. They also contain Thioproline. These mushrooms can stimulate the production of interferon in the body.
Seaweed and other sea vegetables contain beta-carotene, protein, vitamin B12, fiber, and chlorophyll, as well as chlorophylones–important fatty acids that may help in the fight against breast cancer. Many sea vegetables also have high concentrations of the minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and iodine.
Sweet potatoes contain many anticancer properties, including beta-carotene, which may protect DNA in the cell nucleus from cancer-causing chemicals outside the nuclear membrane.
Read more: Cancer, Diet & Nutrition, Eating for Health, General Health, Health, Natural Remedies, cancer, diet, food
Melissa Breyer
Melissa Breyer is a writer and editor with a background in sustainable living, specializing in food, science and design. She is the co-author of True Food (National Geographic) and has edited and written for regional and international books and periodicals, including The New York Times Magazine. Melissa lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
people are talking
Thanks
Thanks for sharing,I'll have to try this.
Wow! Talk about debunking Goldilocks who found the entire bear family happily getting ready for dinn…
Very sweet. Thanks for sharing.
I think sex on a first few dates is a risk. It's far more enjoyable to have a build-up of passio…
406 comments
+ add your ownWe all should eat fruits and vegetables, but organic fruits and vegetables !
Awesome, love the list! Thank you!! :)
Thank you for the list. Fortunately I like most of the stuff and have some daily.
Thank you :)
Good list, I try to get everything there on my table! What is also important top avoid disease is cooking your foods right. No frying, no smoking, no salt. If anyone wants to read an even bigger list here I've compiled 100 cancer fighting foods: http://allcancerfightingfoods.com/100-cancer-fighting-foods-the-complete-cancer-prevention-diet-food-list/
Hi, Clinical research studies conducted in Asia and the US are showing how important Matcha Green Tea Powder is in fighting cancer and cancer prevention. One serve is 30 cups of standard green tea and it floods your body with antioxidants! I order from Australia some beautiful matcha the address was www.zengreentea.com.au for anyones reference. I drink it every day now!
Most of these are on my list too, Ellen.S it's never too late to start eating healthy, you would be amazed at the bodies ability to repair itself with the right lifestyle.
Isolating a gene from a plant that produces hydrogen cyanide and incorporating it tinto retro-virus RNA(herpes simplex and HIV are retroviruses-they cannot be vaccinated against-they remain dormant in the host cell until a stressor triggers it to reproduce in the billions) that infects human cells sounds SHOCKINGLY DANGEROUS. In fact, it sounds like a premise for biological warfare.
Thankfully these are almost always on my grocery list.
Thanks, I will try and incorporate as many of these things into my diet...the sweet tooth will be a challenge, but i'll check things to see if they contain fructose and give them a wide berth......
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