10 Cancer Fighting Foods

By spechner On August 9, 2011 · 3 Comments

When one thinks about fighting cancer, chemotherapy and radiation usually come to mind. But, there are many cancer fighting tools that you encounter in your daily life that can be just as effective in preventing cancer. Many studies have proven that eating certain foods can help in the prevention and fight against cancer. Check out just 10 of them here…

1. Garlic: Garlic, part of the onion family, is full of sulfur compounds that have been proven to help reduce tumor growth and neutralizing carcinogens that cause cancer. Studies have shown a correlation between increased garlic consumption and lower incidence of skin, colon and lung cancer.

2. Dark Leafy Greens: Not only are dark leafy greens a great source of vitamins and minerals, but they are also a cancer-fighting food. Kale, for example, is full of Vitamin C, which is derived from beta-carotene, a rich antioxidant. Studies have shown a decrease in lung and breast cancer occurrence when the dark-leafy green is consumed in 2 or more servings a week.

3. Green Tea: Green tea is a great antioxidant and detoxifier. Consuming green tea helps clear out the liver of toxins by activating enzymes. Green tea also has the capability of reducing the growth of new blood vessels that are needed for cancer growth, thus slowing down, or preventing the progression of cancer.

4. Tomatoes: Tomatoes are full of vitamins, but most importantly, contain lycopene, a potent antioxidant. Lycopene has been shown time after time to defend again cancer by attacking free radicals in the body. Tomatoes also have loads of vitamin C, which helps make the immune system stronger to defend again cancer.

5. Blueberries: Blueberries, along with other berries, contains ellagic acid. Ellagic acid supports anti-cancer activity in the body. Berries also have the capability of inhibiting the growth of cancer-supporting blood vessels as well as providing the body with antioxidants. A Harvard study showed that people who consume strawberries had a lower incident of cancer than those who did not eat strawberries.

6. Grapes: Not only do grapes have similar properties as berries, but they also produce resveratrol, a chemical that can prevent cell damage before it even begins! Resveratrol is also a powerful antioxidant. This chemical is also found in red wine.

7. Flaxseeds: Flaxseed contains lignans. Lignans are phytoestrogens, which can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Through this process, lignans can displace estrogen in the body. Not only can flaxseed consumption help balance estrogen levels, but they also contain important antioxidants.

8. Mushrooms: Mushrooms have multiple cancer fighting properties. They help build the immune system as well as fight off cancerous cells. Mushrooms are full of polysaccharides, the key compound in building the immune system. Lectin is also present in mushrooms, which has been shown to attack cancerous cells and prevent cell multiplication.

9. Avocados: Avocados are rich in Vitamin E, an important vitamin that helps to prevent many diseases, and maintain overall health. Avocados also contain glutathione, another antioxidant that has been correlated with cancer prevention.

10. Whole Grains: Just like many of the foods listed above, whole grains contain antioxidants and phytoestrogens, both important in the prevention and suppression of cancer.

As you can see, many cancer-fighting foods are right on your plate. It can be very easy to incorporate these foods in your daily diet. Why not? You are what you eat so why not eat foods that taste good, but also have many positive benefits! Even if you’re not at risk for cancer, it never hurts to eat a healthier meal.

Resources:
http://www.cancure.org/cancer_fighting_foods.htm

http://www.embodiworks.org/cancertreatments/bodymindspirit/topfoodstoeat/

http://www.foundhealth.com/melanoma/diet