5 Things You Need to Know About Cancer Nutrition Superfoods

1. We are What we Eat

You already knew that, didn't you? It's an oft-used phrase because it's true. Changing your diet has a direct impact on you health. You can add cancer-fighting foods to a healthy diet to reduce your chances of contracting cancer and make yourself feel better every day. To start, avoid sugary and fatty foods. Drink tons of water and eat balanced meals that include small amounts of each food group.

2. Eat Your Veggies

Berries are high in antioxidants, which are known to help reduce the risk of colon, leukemia and lung cancer. Strawberries and blueberries are the highest in antioxidants, while cherries are a natural anti-inflammatory that also reduce colon cancer. Broccoli is loaded with sulforaphane, another chemical linked to reduced cancer risk. Other veggies such as brussel sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower also provide sulforaphane.

3. Load up on Omega-3s

Cutting back on red meat is essential to a cancer prevention diet. Replace prime rib with lean cuts of beef, fish and poultry. Salmon is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, a well-known cancer-fighting agent, as are most seafood. Halibut, trout, albacore, sardines and herring are all high in omega-3 fatty acids. You can also obtain more omega-3 fatty acids by cooking with canola oil, flaxseed oil or by eating walnuts and spinach.

4. Come for the Whole Grains, Stay for the Endosperm

Whole grains are found in foods like brown rice, oatmeal, wheat breads and popcorn. These foods include endosperm, the germ and the bran of the grain, which are typically removed from processed grains. The endosperm is very healthy because it contains compounds that protect the body's cells from some types of damage that can lead to cancer. Look for phenols, antioxidants, saponins and lignans when reading whole grain labels.

5. Yogurt Anyone?

Yogurt is a superfood for a variety of reasons. It's a source of calcium, which helps prevent the growth of cancerous cells by binding with bile acids. It's filled with probiotics, which are healthy bacteria that help break down the foods in your digestive system. They help your body break down the nutrients in the food and kill pathogens, which are microorganisms that can cause cancer and other illnesses. Probiotics are also provide a healthy boost to your immune system.