By Lisa Willaimson
Take Mother's Example for a Long and Healthy Life
Long before there was talk of eating healthy to avoid cancer, Mother intuitively knew the facts. She ate plenty of fiber, knowing it was good for her digestive tract and over-all health. She ate meat and fish, but vegetables and grains were the largest part of her diet. Most of the vegetables came from her garden. At 88, she no longer tends a garden. But she still eats plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Top foods for cancer prevention
In looking up the top foods to prevent cancer, there is one outstanding quality to most of them; they come directly from the good earth. Butter and whole milk also come from the good earth, but not until the cow processes them. See the difference? It has been reported that when eating fats, choose them wisely. Plant sources of fats and those that are liquid at room temperature are safest. Meat, eggs, butter, and whole milk increase cancer risks. Olive and canola oil, nuts, and avocados are sources of good fat. Salmon, tuna, and flaxseed are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
The foods
Green, leafy vegetables are on almost every list of cancer preventing or fighting food. Kale, which falls into this group, contains nitrogen compounds called indoles. In estrogen sensitive tissue, these may stop the conversion of certain lesions in cancerous cells. Isothiocyanates, a phytochemical, is found in kale and is thought to suppress tumor growth and keep cancer causing substances from reaching their target.
Avocados, a great addition to a sandwich or salad, contain an antioxidant that attacks free radicals in the body by keeping certain fats from being absorbed into the intestinal tract.
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are thought to fight breast cancer by converting a cancer promoting estrogen into a more protective variety. Broccoli and sprouts are also believed to help prevent colon and rectal cancer. Lutein and zeaxanthin have also been found in these vegetables and are thought to help prevent prostate cancer.
Flaxseed oil and meal contain phytoestrogens that are thought to combat breast, skin, and lung cancer. Research is currently underway on this one and is being talked about quite a bit. The oil is not useful for cooking, but may be used on vegetables the way butter is used, in hot cereals, salad dressings and many other ways.
Berries are known to be loaded with fiber and phytochemicals and have been studied by Christine Sardo for the Ohio State University's College of Medicine. Studies of berries as anti-carcinogens have been going on since the 1980's. Experiments with lab rats have turned out promising results.
Pineapple is high in Vitamin C, an antioxidant, and contains the enzyme bromelain which may prevent breast and lung cancer.
Apples also contain anti-oxidants and quercitin, a plant chemical that has been shown to reduce lung cancer risk and slow the growth of prostate cancer cells.
As can be seen from this article, all of the good things from the garden, fields, and orchards promote sound health and many are evidenced as preventing cancer. Eating well is simple to do. Just remember the council and example of Mother. Here's to a long and healthy life.
Take Mother's Example for a Long and Healthy Life
Long before there was talk of eating healthy to avoid cancer, Mother intuitively knew the facts. She ate plenty of fiber, knowing it was good for her digestive tract and over-all health. She ate meat and fish, but vegetables and grains were the largest part of her diet. Most of the vegetables came from her garden. At 88, she no longer tends a garden. But she still eats plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Top foods for cancer prevention
In looking up the top foods to prevent cancer, there is one outstanding quality to most of them; they come directly from the good earth. Butter and whole milk also come from the good earth, but not until the cow processes them. See the difference? It has been reported that when eating fats, choose them wisely. Plant sources of fats and those that are liquid at room temperature are safest. Meat, eggs, butter, and whole milk increase cancer risks. Olive and canola oil, nuts, and avocados are sources of good fat. Salmon, tuna, and flaxseed are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
The foods
Green, leafy vegetables are on almost every list of cancer preventing or fighting food. Kale, which falls into this group, contains nitrogen compounds called indoles. In estrogen sensitive tissue, these may stop the conversion of certain lesions in cancerous cells. Isothiocyanates, a phytochemical, is found in kale and is thought to suppress tumor growth and keep cancer causing substances from reaching their target.
Avocados, a great addition to a sandwich or salad, contain an antioxidant that attacks free radicals in the body by keeping certain fats from being absorbed into the intestinal tract.
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are thought to fight breast cancer by converting a cancer promoting estrogen into a more protective variety. Broccoli and sprouts are also believed to help prevent colon and rectal cancer. Lutein and zeaxanthin have also been found in these vegetables and are thought to help prevent prostate cancer.
Flaxseed oil and meal contain phytoestrogens that are thought to combat breast, skin, and lung cancer. Research is currently underway on this one and is being talked about quite a bit. The oil is not useful for cooking, but may be used on vegetables the way butter is used, in hot cereals, salad dressings and many other ways.
Berries are known to be loaded with fiber and phytochemicals and have been studied by Christine Sardo for the Ohio State University's College of Medicine. Studies of berries as anti-carcinogens have been going on since the 1980's. Experiments with lab rats have turned out promising results.
Pineapple is high in Vitamin C, an antioxidant, and contains the enzyme bromelain which may prevent breast and lung cancer.
Apples also contain anti-oxidants and quercitin, a plant chemical that has been shown to reduce lung cancer risk and slow the growth of prostate cancer cells.
As can be seen from this article, all of the good things from the garden, fields, and orchards promote sound health and many are evidenced as preventing cancer. Eating well is simple to do. Just remember the council and example of Mother. Here's to a long and healthy life.
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