Over time, toxic by-products of cell metabolism known as free radicals, have unpaired electrons in their outer orbits, forcing them to pull electrons from other cells, damaging them. Antioxidants are substances that inhibit the accumulation of free radicals in the body and therefore play a key role in preventing cancer. Diet is believed to directly influence the risk of developing cancer. An array of foods contain powerful compounds and antioxidants that may fight cancer.
Step 1
Incorporate cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli,kale and collard greens into your diet to help protect against lung, colorectal, prostate and breast cancer. These vegetables contain cancer-fighting phytochemicals and high levels of glucosinolate which, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, could help prevent cancer by inhibiting the buildup of carcinogens that damage DNA or by altering cell-signaling pathways to help prevent normal cells from becoming cancerous.
Step 2
Add raspberries to your cereal or yogurt in the morning. Researchers at Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina have revealed that the ellagic acid found in raspberries is readily absorbed by the body, causing death in certain cancer cells.
Step 3
Load up on Omega-3 fatty acids found in olive oil, flax seeds, salmon and walnuts. Swedish scientists at Stockholm's Karolinska Institute found that compared to those who did eat salmon, those that consumed salmon once or more consistently on a weekly basis were at least 43 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer. Just 1 tbs of flaxseeds contains 146.3 percent of your daily requirements of Omega-3 fatty acids and has been shown to fight colon cancer.
Step 4
Consume plenty of vitamin A. Compounds known as retinoids and beta-carotene According to "Total Nutrition: The Only Guide You'll Ever Need," states that there is an inverse relationship between the risk of cancer and the consumption of foods containing vitamin A or its precursor, beta carotene. Sources of vitamin A include carrots, pumpkin, cantaloupe, spinach and kale.
Step 5
Increase your intake of selenium, an essential mineral and potent redox agent. Barley, almonds and other foods rich in selenium may assist in fighting breast cancer and colon cancer. Just one cup of cooked barley supplies 52 percent of the recommended daily value for selenium.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: Cruciferous Vegetables :
- "Total Nutrition: The Only Guide You'll Ever Need";Victor Herbert, Genell J. Subak-Sharpe;1995
- Biochemical Pharmacology"; Intestinal Epithelial Cell Accumulation of the Cancer Preventive polyphenol Ellagic Acid-Extensive Binding to Protein and DNA; AC Whitley et al.; September 2003
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State Univeristy: Flavonoids
- World's Healthiest Foods: Flaxseeds
