Cancer can come at any time and can affect almost any area of the body. It does not distinguish between rich and poor, young and old. But besides for the myriad treatment options currently available, diet can play a big part in determining whether an individual is susceptible to this deadly disease.
Orange Fruits and Vegetables
The National Cancer Institute explains that antioxidants are a key player in preventing cancer. They fight off free radicals that could potentially alter cell form. Antioxidants protect your cells and prevent harmful free radicals from damaging your system. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that is found in many fruits and vegetables as well as other foods in a standard diet. It is often found in orange fruits and vegetables such as carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato, cantaloupe and squash.
Leafy Greens
Another powerful antioxidant is lutein. It's often abundant in green leafy vegetables such as collards, spinach and kale, as well as cruciferous vegetables, green beans, peaches, papayas and cabbage. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center reports that lutein has an inverse correlation with the risk of colon cancer and renal cell carcinoma. It is modestly associated with the prevention of colorectal cancer, and it is used to treat cancer as well.
Fish
Fish has been shown to reduce the risk of dying for individuals suffering from prostate cancer, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. They explain that one in six American men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime, and out of those, one in six will die. Out of those, men who eat a lot of fish can cut their risk by 50 percent, although eating fish does not cut the risk of developing the disease. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils have also been found to slow the progression of cancer.
Fiber
Helpguide.org explains that eating dietary fiber is an essential element of a cancer-preventing diet. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are high in fiber. Fiber acts to flush out the system and keep your digestive tract healthy. Its main function is to keep things moving, and it pushes out cancer-causing agents before they have a chance to create any harm in your body. Flax seed also has a very high fiber content.
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