Cancer is a serious disease in which abnormal cells develop, divide uncontrollably and may spread throughout your body, destroying healthy tissue. Cancer survival rates are improving, according to MayoClinic.com, due to cancer screening and treatment advances. A healthy diet, based upon whole, natural foods, is not known to stop or cure cancer. It may, however, lower your risk for certain types and improve your odds of full, stable recovery. For best results, seek specified guidance from a dietitian.
Diet Plans
Numerous whole foods diet plans claim to prevent or even treat cancer. Proponents of a macrobiotic diet, for example, believe that eating primarily organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains and cooking foods only in certain materials, such as glass and wood, can improve your spiritual balance and prevent or cure diseases, including cancer. Gerson therapy bases itself on similar foods, by the belief that certain foods can "detoxify" the body, leading to a lower cancer risk. Although research findings are lacking regarding the effectiveness of the plans, they do emphasize foods encouraged by the American Cancer Society. The ACS warns against relying upon dietary changes as a preliminary or sole cancer treatment. In some cases, strict diets pose harmful effects, such as nutrient deficiencies.
Helpful Foods
Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E, lycopene and beta-carotine, may protect your body's cells from damage associated with unstable molecules called free radicals. Antioxidants may prevent free radical damage that can lead to cancer. Regardless, antioxidant-rich foods, such as berries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, bell peppers, carrots, nuts, seeds and whole grains, promote a strong-functioning immune system and overall health. The ACS recommends eating five or more servings of various fruits and vegetables daily, choosing whole grains, such as oats, bulgur and brown rice, over-refined grains, such as white flour, and limiting fried, sugary and salty snack foods. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in cold-water fish, such as salmon and mackerel, flaxseed and walnuts, may help prevent or reduce the progression of prostate, breast and colon cancer.
Effectiveness
Although research is ongoing, a study, published "Circulation" in 2008 showed a positive correlation between a whole foods-based diet and lowered cancer mortality rates. In the study, the dietary habits and risk for death related to cancer and heart disease among 72,113 women, free of cancer or cardiovascular disease history, were analyzed for eight years. Two dietary patterns were identified -- a "prudent" pattern, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and poultry and a "Western" pattern, high in processed and red meat, refined grains, sugary foods and french fries. Women who consumed the whole foods-based diet demonstrated a 17 percent lower mortality rate from all heart and cancer-related causes compared to women who did not.
Suggestions
Eating a diet that helps you reach or maintain a healthy body is important for lowering your risk for cancer. The ACS recommends learning and sticking to proper serving sizes, limiting portion sizes of high-calorie foods and choosing fruits and vegetables over processed snack foods most of the time. If you have cancer, a healthy diet, rich in protein and healthy fats, such as nuts and seeds, may help reduce unhealthy weight loss linked with cancer and cancer treatment and help ensure your physical strength. If you have difficulty meeting your dietary needs through food alone, discuss the potential need for supplements with your doctor or dietitian.
