There are a number of natural substances that prevent the spread of cancers. Some reduce tumors while others combat cancer cells to help your body fight back. Cancer is becoming a pervasive part of our society with 50% of the population diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. A number of environmental and lifestyle choices are contributing to the increased cancer risk and this means there are choices you can make that help to mitigate your chances of getting this deadly disease.
Of course healthy lifestyle choices like exercise and diet can really reduce your cancer risk. Here are some amazing cancer-busting foods that you should add to your diet today.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the growth and spread of prostate cancer. In a study by researchers at Washington State University omega-3 fatty acids were found to inhibit the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells. Working with prostate cell cultures, a team led by Kathryn Meier found that the omega-3 fatty acids bind to a receptor called FFA4, for “free fatty acid receptor 4,” and prevented the cancer cells from multiplying.
In another study, Professor A. M. El-Mowafy and a team of researchers from Mansoura University, Egypt found that omega-3 reduced tumours in rats and enhanced the positive effects of Cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug, while reducing its harmful side effects.
Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts, flax seeds, soy products, eggs and fatty fish like salmon, anchovies, arctic char, cod, herring and white fish.
Ginger
Giver has been utilized by cancer patients to reduce inflammation and combat nausea and vomiting and as an effective anti-oxidant. Now studies show that ginger also plays a major role in actually combating prostate cancer. A study from Georgia State University found that ginger helped to reduce prostate cancer: “Whole ginger extract (GE) exerts significant growth-inhibitory and death-inductory effects in a spectrum of prostate cancer cells.”
Another study by Jennifer Rhode and her team showed that ginger effectively reduced ovarian cancer tumors. From the study: “Ginger inhibits growth and modulates secretion of angiogenic factors in ovarian cancer cells. The use of dietary agents such as ginger may have potential in the treatment and prevention of ovarian cancer.”
Folates
This B-vitamin complex has been shown in one study of 27,000 Finnish male smokers between ages 50 and 69 to cut their risk of pancreatic cancer in half. Another study showed that having high levels of folates helped reduce the risk of breast cancer. Good sources of folates include oranges, Brussel sprouts, asparagus, broccoli, dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, avocadoes, sprouted beans, peas and lentils.
Tea
Organic teas contain kaempferol; an anti-oxidant that studies show helps reduce the risk of certain cancers. In a study of more than 66,000 women by Margaret Gates from Harvard’s School of Public Health, it was discovered that drinking three to four cups of tea a day helped to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.
Another study of nearly 3,000 people showed that the flavonoids in tea reduced the risk of breast cancer. The study focused on postmenopausal women and showed that those with high flavonoid intake were 46% less likely to develop breast cancer.
While organic, healthy foods may help to hinder the growth of cancer, processed foods with chemical additives increase our risk of cancer. Choose healthy, organic foods, exercise often and your risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer will be vastly reduced.
