Natural Health Remedies

Important Anti-Cancer Foods

By: Bruce Forciea

Many doctors and scientists believe that many cancers could be prevented with a good diet. Here are a few foods that have been shown to decrease the incidence of cancer.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are loaded with vitamin C. They also contain lycopene, which may explain a recent popular Italian study finding that people who ate raw tomatoes at least seven times per week halved their risk of several cancers as compared to those who ate tomatoes no more than once a week.

Tomatoes are also rich in coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid, which hook onto nitric oxides in the foods we eat and drive them out of the body before they can form cancer-causing chemicals called notrosamines. Tomatoes and broccoli together have been shown to decrease the growth of tumors in prostate cancer.

Some controversy exists regarding the effects of tomatoes on reducing the risk for cancer as recent research in the May, 2007 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention showed that lycopene did not prevent cancer of the prostate. In fact the study also showed that beta carotene was associated with more aggressive prostate cancer. So you can see there are conflicting results regarding tomatoes and cancer.

Oranges and Lemons

Oranges and lemons contain limonene which raises level of naturally occurring enzymes thought to break down carcinogens and stimulate cancer-killing immune cells. Citrus fruits also contain glucarase, which inactivates carcinogens. One study showed that limonene caused regression of tumors in breast cancer. (1)

Grapes and Raspberries

Grapes and raspberries contain ellagic acid which blocks the body's production of enzymes used by cancer cells. Apples may get prime billing in folklore, but researchers say grapes are packed with chemicals such as phenols and antioxidants that may prevent blood clots. And a natural fungicide found in grapes called reveratrol slows the buildup of LDL cholesterol.

Garlic and Onions

In China, people who eat large amounts of garlic and onions cut their risk of stomach caner by as much as 40%. A study published in the January, 1994 issue of The American Journal of Epidemiology examined the diets of more than 41,000 women in Iowa and showed that those who added garlic to their diet at least once per week reduced their risk of colon cancer by 35%. The chemical thought to be responsible for the effects of garlic and onions is allium.

Chili Peppers

Chili peppers contain capsaicin. Capsaicin may neutralize the carcinogenic effect of cancer causing nitrosamines. It may also block the carcinogens in cigarette smoke from locking onto DNA. The hotter the pepper the more capsaicin it contains.

Soybeans

Soybeans are rich in a chemical called genistein. Genistein fights cancer in several ways. One way is that it looks like estrogen and occupies the binding sites for estrogen. It also may prevent small blood vessels from forming around tumors.

Broccoli and Cabbage

These vegetables contain enzymes and indoles. Indoles affect the metabolism of estrogen, prompting the body to make benign forms of the hormone that inhibits the growth of breast cancer.

The American diet which is so high in fats, meats and dairy products is in dire need of an overhaul. Adding or increasing the amounts of these foods is an important step in reducing the risk of cancer.

1. Jill D. Haag, Mary J. Lindstrom and Michael N. Gould: Limonene-induced Regression of Mammary Carcinomas. Cancer Research 52, 4021-4026, July 15, 1992

Author Resource:- Dr. Bruce Forciea is an author, educator and chiropractor. His new book "Unlocking the Healing Code" presents a new paradigm for healing. His site: http://www.informationalhealing.com

Adopt A Vegetarian Detox Diet For Cancer Prevention

By: Sandra Kim Leong

Cancer is a stealthy and dangerous disease that is not well understood. There have been links made between cancer and high risk behaviors, but there is no clear recipe for either the development of or the avoidance of cancer. Many naturopathic doctors, however, say that cancer prevention is possible when you adopt a detox diet.

A detox diet can help you to cleanse and remove toxins from your body. Naturopathic doctors suggests that cancer is likely to result when you have too much toxins in your body. A detox diet is primarily vegetarian. Vegetarian foods are biochemically more acceptable to your body as compared to junk food like potato chips and diet pepsi. They are fiber rich and are better able to help you cleanse waste products much better.

A vegetarian detox diet can help you with lowered risks when it comes to cancer. Whether you are looking out for your future and you have never had cancer or you are recovering from cancer, getting into a vegetarian diet may be a good consideration.

The Meat Association

Meat has been linked with the risk for developing cancer. Red meat is especially notorious for being listed among the offenders. While no one is certain why the meat is linked to cancer, there are a few theories.

When red meat is grilled or broiled , it is blackened on the outside. Charcoal is also suspected to be a carcinogen. When you eat the blackened surface of your hamburger or steak, you are actually eating charcoal.

Another theory is that the animals reared nowadays for human consumption are often fed with hormones to hasten growth. It could be that those hormones continue to work after the cow is dead. Instead of stimulating healthy muscle growth though, they start to affect healthy cells negatively. Chickens and pigs are also similarly fed hormones nowadays. Hence, consider switching or eating more vegetarian foods for cancer prevention.

Health Benefits Of Antioxidants

Antioxidants are chemical compounds found in many of the plant foods that you eat. They work together with your natural defenses to combat disease. They are especially useful when it comes to promoting healthy tissue growth rather than cancerous tissue growth.

Spinach as well as blueberries, apples and several other plant foods are rich in antioxidants. The great news is that these foods are highly nutritious and are also very flavorful.

Cleansing Foods

To improve your health and for cancer prevention, select a plan that emphasizes on foods that can help you to remove bowels easily and on an everyday basis. A vegetarian detox diet ought to fit the bill!

Author Resource:- Sandra Kim Leong writes on detoxification and the benefits of adopting a detox diet. She firmly believes that gastrointestinal health is linked to several diseases and ailments. To gain access to her free newsletter, please visit http://www.detox-cleansing-diet.com