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For the latest information on a cancer fighting diet and current news on other colon cancer topics, please accept a free weekly subscription to the CCR Newsletter.

Cancer Fighting Diet

It is important to recognize that you have the ability to fight cancer with your diet. A proper diet cannot cure cancer but there are many foods that can help you fight the cancer along with the medical treatment you receive. It is estimated that a third of all cancers may be related to the foods you eat. The important thing is to eat foods that both prevent and fight cancer.

If you are fighting cancer already, think of the following foods as a cancer fighting diet you can’t afford to miss out on. The best foods are those that contain antioxidants. Antioxidants fight oxygen free radicals that cause damage to cells. Foods that contain vitamins are also very helpful in fighting cancer. If you have cancer, you also need protein and calories to keep your weight up.

Let’s look at those foods that will help you if you have cancer:

  • Avocados. These have a lot of glutathione in them, which is a powerful antioxidant. It blocks certain fats from being absorbed in the intestinal tract. It is a big source of potassium and is known to help protect the liver.
  • Broccoli. Broccoli and related foods like kale, cabbage and cauliflower contain indol-3-carbinol, which is protective against breast cancer by turning bad estrogen into healthy estrogen. A substance in these foods called sulforaphane acts as an antioxidant that can deactivate cancer-causing chemicals.
  • Chili peppers. These contain capsaicin that is known to deactivate cancer causing agents and is believed to help those with stomach cancer. It can be an important aspect of a cancer fighting diet.
  • Carrots. These have a lot of beta carotene in them. Beta carotene fights many types of cancers. A substance known as falcarrinol is another cancer fighting agent you’ll find in carrots. It is only found in raw carrots.
  • Figs. These foods have a type of benzaldehyde in them. Benzaldehyde kills cancer cells. Other good components of figs include vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
  • Flaxseed. This is a good source of lignans, which are also antioxidants. This food can suppress changes in cells caused by impending cancer. It also has a lot of omega 3 fatty acids, which help protect you from getting colon cancer.
  • Garlic. This enhances the immune system so important in fighting cancer. It contains allium compounds that help immune cells fight cancer. It also keeps cancer-causing agents from getting into the cells. Garlic has been found to protect against liver, stomach and colon cancer.
  • Grapefruit. This food contains monoterpenes, which cause carcinogens to leave the body. It may also help prevent breast cancer cells from growing.
  • Red Grapes.These contain healthy bioflavonoids, which are strong antioxidants that protect against cancer. Resveratrol is a component of red grapes that block cancer cell growth.
  • Kale. Kale contains indoles that block the transformation of healthy cells into breast cancer cells. It also works against other estrogen-sensitive tumors. If your cancer fighting diet contains kale, you are doing yourself a favor.
  • Licorice root. This contains a chemical that is believed to protect a person against prostate cancer.
  • Mushrooms. Many mushrooms build up the immune system and help your body fight against cancer cells. Some mushrooms help build interferon, an important chemical in the immune system.
  • Nuts. These contain campferol and Quercetin, both excellent antioxidants. Brazil nuts are especially important in fighting prostate cancer.
  • Lemons and oranges. These fruits contain limonene, which stimulates lymphocytes and other cancer-destroying immune cells.
  • Papayas. These contain vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant. It also contains a chemical called folic acid that can block cervical cancer changes and can fight other cancers.
  • Red wine. This is a strong source of antioxidants in the form of polyphenols. It is vital to a cancer fighting diet. It also contains a high amount of Resveratrol, known to be protective against cancer. Even so, it is recommended not to drink too much because more is not better when it comes to alcohol.
  • Raspberries. This fruit is high in vitamins and antioxidants called anthocyanins. They are believed to protect against cancer, particularly esophageal cancer.
  • Rosemary. This spice contains carnosol that has been found to block breast cancer and skin cancer in animals. You can season foods with it or make a tea out of it.
  • Sea vegetables. This includes seaweed, all of which are high in vitamins, protein, fiber and chlorophylones, which are fatty acids that have been found to fight against breast cancer.
  • Tofu and other soy products. These contain phytoestrogens which are believed to help prevent breast cancer and prostate cancer. You can make pure isoflavone pills isolated from soy that can protect against cancer without causing a hormonal imbalance.
  • Sweet potatoes. They contain beta carotene, which is protective of cellular DNA.
  • Tea. Both green and black tea contains catechins, which are polyphenols that can protect against cancer. Green tea is considered better than black tea with regard to cancer suppression.

Your cancer fighting diet is important when it comes to preventing cancer or fighting cancer, if you’ve been diagnosed. It is a good idea to look at the eBook entitled “Nutrition and Cancer” because it can give you ideas as to how to use what you eat in order to stay healthy and to get the most out of the food you eat. Food can help prevent and fight cancer, which can be as important as the chemotherapy, surgery and radiation you receive.

Written by Christine Traxler

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