A Simple Dietary Change May Save Your Life
Changing Your Diet May Help Prevent Cancer
Folic acid
Folic acid is needed for producing red blood cells and maintaining new cell growth to prevent anemia. Foods like oranges, peanuts, spinach, romance lettuce, bananas, strawberries yeasty bread and most cereals offer folic acid. Dried beans, peas, asparagus and Brussels offer extra amounts folic acid.
Calcium and Vitamin D
Our bodies need calcium for strong bones and teeth and is also necessary to lower the risk of cancer. Calcium is provided from animal-based and plant-based foods. The calcium in plant-based foods is more easily absorbed than that in milk. High concentrations of calcium are found in milk, yogurt and cheddar cheese. Calcium rich plant-based foods include pinto beans, red beans, white beans, tofu, bok choy, kale, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, rhubarb and spinach.
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium. A report from the American Association of Cancer Research shows that an increased intake of vitamin D lowers the risk of breast cancer by 50%. Consuming tuna, salmon, sardines, liver or eggs including the yolk along with about ten minutes of sunshine daily will increase your intake of vitamin D.
Cruciferous Vegetables
To lower your risk of getting colon and prostate cancer consider consuming more vegetables from the cabbage family. Kale, turnips, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts are excellent sources. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research studies have shown that diets high in cruciferous vegetables are linked to lower rates of
prostate cancer and reduced growth of cancer cells in breast tumors.
Cruciferous vegetables need to be chopped or chewed to obtain the best benefit. Serve them raw, in salads or with dips on vegetable trays. They are also delicious added to stir-fry dishes casseroles and soups.
Antioxidants
Tea is a plant based food that contains flavonoids that offer antioxidant effects. Kaempferol, is one of the powerful flavonoids found in tea that has been shown to offer protection against ovarian cancer.
Spice your recipes of rice, vegetables, beans and lentils with chili peppers, chili powder, cumin, curry powder, turmeric, and garlic for added benefits of antioxidant, anti-cancer and inflammatory properties. Ginger, blueberries, pomegranates also provide powerful antioxidants.
Source: WebMD.com
Published by Judy Kaelin
Retired with fifteen years experience in the Administrative Offices of a school district. She is interested in writing articles based on personal experience and research of health issues. She has an intere... View profile
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