(15-09-12) Combat cancer with the top cancer-fighting foods

by Sarka-Jonae Miller

(NaturalNews) An estimated one-third of cancer deaths could be related to
diet, according to the National Cancer Institute. Eating processed, sugary
foods with harmful additives like chemicals or even animal products with
hormones is the norm for many people in developed nations. What people eat can
truly kill them. However, eating whole, organic foods gives people access to
powerful cancer-fighting substances. Antioxidants are known to neutralize free
radicals, which are natural substances made in the human body and found in
environmental pollutants that cause cell damage. Experts are exploring the
benefits of phytochemicals as well. These healthy substances are found in
abundance in plant foods and spices.

Cruciferous vegetables

Studies on cruciferous vegetables indicate that these foods may help patients
with colon or prostate cancer. Cruciferous vegetables include all vegetables in
the Brassicaceae family, such as bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and
similar green leafy vegetables. According to Diet.com, cruciferous vegetables
may decrease risk of prostate and other cancers.

One study found that eating a lot of cruciferous vegetables decreased the risk
of colon cancer. According to Cancer.gov, women who eat five servings of
cruciferous vegetables weekly may be at less risk of lung cancer.

Red grapes

Red grapes contain three important substances to fight cancer. Red grapes have
antioxidants called bioflavonoids that help to prevent cancer. They also have a
high content of resveratrol, a substance that can inhibit enzymes known to
stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Grapes also have a compound called
ellagic acid that can block certain enzymes that cancer cells need. By blocking
these enzymes, ellagic acid may slow tumor growth.

Ginger

Ginger may kill cancer cells. Although not yet proven in human studies, ginger
may cause a process called apoptosis that causes cancer cells to effectively
kill themselves without causing damage to nearby healthy cells. Ginger is also
linked to autophagy, which is when cancer cells are "tricked into digesting
themselves," says J. Rebecca Liu of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Liu is an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology who has been
studying the effects of ginger on ovarian cancer cells.

Kale

Kale contains phytochemicals called isothiocyanates that may inhibit tumor
growth. These chemicals may also stop substances that cause cancer from getting
to their targets. Kale contains nitrogen compounds called indoles that can help
prevent a conversion of certain lesions into cancer cells in estrogen-sensitive
tissues.

Mushrooms

Several types of mushrooms help to boost the immune system and may aid the
body in its fight against cancer. These mushrooms include:

Agaricus blazei Murill
Coriolus versicolor
Maitake
Reishi
Shiitake

Within these mushrooms are compounds called polysaccharides that assists in
building immunity. Mushrooms also contain lectin, a protein that fights cancer
cells and keeps them from multiplying. Mushrooms also contain beta glucan and
thioproline.

Nuts

Nuts may be beneficial for cancer patients because they have antioxidants
including kaempferol and quercetin. These antioxidants can suppress cancer
growth. Brazil nuts in particular can help people with prostate cancer because
of the high content of selenium.

Figs

Researchers at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research in Tokyo report
that benzaldehyde, a derivative of figs, is very effective at shrinking tumors.

Any and all of these foods can help people combat cancer either by directly
interfering with cancerous cells and growth, or by strengthening the body's
defenses to enable the body to fight off cancer itself. Diet modifications may
not be a cancer cure, but they can assist other natural cancer treatments.
Eating a variety of these foods as well as other cancer-fighting foods or
supplements may also prevent cancer.

Sources:

http://www.cancure.org/cancer_fighting_foods.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruciferous_vegetables
http://www.lotussurvivalfoundation.org
http://www.naturalnews.com/036841_probiotics_cancer_prevention.html
http://www.diet.com/g/cancerfighting-foods
http://www.cancer.gov

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In evidenza

"L'informazione presente nel sito serve a migliorare, e non a sostituire, il rapporto medico-paziente."

Per coloro che hanno problemi di salute si consiglia di consultare sempre il proprio medico curante.