You can help prevent contracting a major disease including cancer with proper nutrition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that cancer, heart disease and stroke are the three leading causes of death, and that a proper diet can reduce your risk of all three. But almost a third of U.S. youth took in too much fat and in 2009, less than a quarter of U.S. high school students said they ate enough fruit and vegetables.
Poor Diet and Obesity
One estimate of deaths caused by cancer due to improper nutrition is that 25 percent of all cancer-related deaths stem from poor diet and obesity. Cancer Research U.K. says that cancers of the bowels, stomach, mouth, breast and food pipe are all directly related to diet. The site states that those numbers could be reduced by changing to a diet high in fiber, fruits and vegetables. The site also recommends reducing the amount of red meat, saturated fat and salt in diets.
Malnutrition
In the United States, about a third of cancer related deaths link to malnutrition. Cancer Centers of America recommends preventing cancer through dietary choices as well as proper exercise and lifestyle choices such as not smoking or drinking alcohol. Proper nutrition is important for both prevention and success in fighting cancer while going through treatment. Cancer Centers states that proper nutrition supports your immune system, helps rebuild body tissue, improves strength and energy, decreases risk of infection and improves your quality of life in general.
Dietary Behavior
The combination of poor diet, lack of exercise and obesity account for between 25 and 30 percent of the major cancers in the United States. The National Cancer Institute states that obesity is directly related to a poor diet as well as a lack of exercise and is responsible for 14 percent of cancer deaths in men and 20 percent of cancer deaths in women. Increasing fruits and vegetables in your daily diet while decreasing the amount of starches and red meat will reduce your risk of getting cancers of the food tract and lungs. The NCI says there is even evidence that proper nutrition may reduce the risk of cancers in the colon, pancreas and prostate.
Racial Risks
Both race and age play important roles in the connection between diet and cancer. The National Cancer Institute says that among racial and ethnic groups, non-Hispanic Blacks consume the least amount of healthy fruits and vegetables that can help prevent cancer with a total of 2.3 cups of fruits and vegetables consumed per day during 2003 and 2004. Non-Hispanic Whites were the next highest risk group with 2.6 cups of fruit and vegetables consumed daily those two years. The best dietary intake of fruits and vegetables in 2003 and 2004 were found with Mexican Americans who consumed 2.9 cups of fruits and vegetables daily. The NCI also said that as people grow older, they tend to eat more fruits and vegetables, so the younger population tend to be more at risk of diet-related diseases including cancer.
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