{"id":1823,"date":"2018-05-15T08:31:17","date_gmt":"2018-05-15T08:31:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=1823"},"modified":"2021-10-11T06:06:14","modified_gmt":"2021-10-11T06:06:14","slug":"15-cancer-fighting-foods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/15-cancer-fighting-foods\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Cancer Fighting Foods"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Each year, almost 8 million people die from some form of cancer, and almost 13 million more people find out they have cancer for the first time. They truly eye-opening statistic is that 30 to 40% of the annual cancer-related deaths can be prevented. An increasing number of people are also eschewing traditional cancer remedies, choosing to focus on alternative remedies instead.<\/p>\n

One \u2018alternative\u2019 remedy involves propping up your plate with cancer-fighting foods, as Steve Jobs famously did in the last few years of his life. These cancer-fighting foods should be a way of life through – a way to minimize your risk of hopefully being diagnosed with cancer in the first place.<\/p>\n

It is probably fair to say that food alone cannot contain or cure your cancer – but nutrition has a big role to play along with other remedies – conventional or not – in giving your body the best shot at healing itself. Here are some of the best cancer-fighting superfoods to enjoy.<\/p>\n

1. Moringa Leaf<\/h3>\n

More than anything, research has shown that the nutrients from plants, or phytonutrients, are deadly when used in the fight against cancer cells. The moringa plant, or Moringa oleifera, contains more phytonutrients by far than any other botanical known to man. It is originally from India and tropical Asia but is now widely grown in tropical areas around the world. The leaves of these plants have been eaten as a natural medicinal remedy for eons in these countries.<\/p>\n

Moringa<\/a> is dubbed a \u201cmiracle tree\u201d because it is a concentrated source of fats, proteins, carotenoids, vitamin C, iron, potassium, and other nutrients. Excitingly, in a recent study published in Oncology Letters, Korean researchers found that moringa was successfully killing cancer cells. They used an extract from the plant that dissolves in water. When a high dose of 400 units of moringa per ml of water was used, the cancer cell death rate observed was 96.7%.<\/p>\n

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2. Garlic<\/h3>\n

Thanks to research, we know that garlic is potent in the fight against breast, stomach, colon, blood, and esophageal cancers in particular. Phytochemicals in garlic stop nitrosamines from forming. These are carcinogens or poisons and toxins that typically form in the stomach and sometimes the intestines too. Carcinogens<\/a> form when you ingest nitrates which are commonly used to preserve food.<\/p>\n

An Iowa Women’s Health Study found that ladies who consumed the most amounts of garlic in their diets had a 50 percent lower risk of certain colon cancers than women who ate little to none of this herb. It is best to eat fresh garlic, so stock up on those cloves next to your shop. Then, crush the garlic and use it as a base along with the onion for almost any dish, or slightly crush whole cloves and roast them with your preferred cut of meat. Crushing the garlic releases its phytochemicals easily.<\/p>\n

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3. Beans<\/h3>\n

The next time someone tells you you\u2019re full of beans<\/a>, take it as a health compliment. A Michigan State University study found that black and navy beans greatly lowered the prevalence of colon cancer incidence in rats. This is mostly due to the fact that if you consume a lot of these legumes, your levels of the fatty acid butyrate increase. In high amounts, these fatty acids stop any cancer cells you have from growing and multiplying. In another study in the journal Crop Science, dried beans were found to be highly potent in preventing breast cancer in rats.<\/p>\n

An overlooked aspect of eating beans and how they help prevent cancer is to be found in their low glycaemic index, and how they stop your blood-sugar levels from spiking. This insulin control is critical because spikes and dips cause you to reach for sugar, refined carbohydrates, and processed food. Sugar is a corrosive that causes damage to cells in the long term, which can be cancerous.<\/p>\n

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4. Apple Cider Vinegar<\/h3>\n

Studies have shown that ACV is able to stunt the growth of cancerous cells and\/or kill them. This should not come as a surprise as this natural source of fermented goodness is one of the primary cure-alls known to man. It is being used in an appealing alternative medicine in general, and alternative cancer treatments all over the world. The taste does take some getting used to or tweaking.<\/p>\n

Nobel Prize winner Otto Warburg has suggested in the early 1900s that cancer cells in the body cannot thrive in a state of alkalinity. He saw that as cancer cells grew, they happily produced lactic acid. So far studies in animals have proved Otto right – cancer cells were found to grow more freely in acidic internal environments. Unlike other kinds of vinegar<\/a>, ACV once ingested, has an alkalizing effect on the body. This essentially turns your body into a hostile environment not only for cancer but numerous other diseases in general.<\/p>\n

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5. Broccoli<\/h3>\n

This green, crunchy vegetable always hailed as a hero in the battle against cancer and new research has only elevated the status of this green vegetable. All cruciferous vegetables have cancer-fighting properties, but broccoli<\/a> is the only one containing huge amounts of sulforaphane. This compound spells the death-knell for cancer and its insidious claws, thanks to its ability to eradicate toxins ruthlessly. It also boosts the body’s protective enzymes, providing a supercharge to your immune system.<\/p>\n

A study on mice at the University of Michigan also found that sulforaphane also seeks out stem cells, the cells that help cancerous tumors to grow. Broccoli has been linked to helping the body fight and beat breast, liver, lung, skin, prostate, stomach, blood, and bladder cancers. It should be incorporated into your diet creatively so you can eat as much of it as possible. Stir-fries and fresh salads are great ideas or stuff your omelet with fresh and lightly coconut-oil tossed broccoli, sprinkled with cheese and mushrooms.<\/p>\n

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6. Berries<\/h3>\n

If often seems that the brighter in color the food, the more beneficial and berries<\/a> are certainly no exception. Research has shown berries to be particularly effective against oral, colon, esophageal, and skin cancers. A half a cup or 150 g of berries a day may just help to keep the chemo away, it seems.<\/p>\n

All berries contain phytonutrients, but black raspberries contain the highest concentrations of phytochemicals called anthocyanins. The Ohio State University College of Medicine\u2019s research shows that at a cancer site inside the body, these anthocyanins slow down the growth of the next generation of cancer cells. They also stop new blood vessels from forming. This is critical, because blood is needed to give oxygen, and therefore life, to these cancerous cells. In general of course, berries are packed with antioxidants that keep cells young. They do this through fighting free radicals, the toxins that damage the cell membrane, and more.<\/p>\n

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7. Leafy Green Veggies<\/h3>\n

In any health context, leafy green vegetables are immunity-enhancing and disease-fighting. They are some of the perfect food as they\u2019re low in calories, fats, sodium<\/a>, additives, and other toxins, but very high in minerals, vitamins, and key nutrients. Leafy greens include spinach, romaine lettuce, cabbage, kale, bok choy, watercress, collard greens, and literally any vegetable that\u2019s great and flat-leafed. The darker the green color, the better. The greater your intake, the more antioxidants are known to combat cancer you\u2019re ingesting, including vitamin C and beta-carotene.<\/p>\n

When it comes to cancer there\u2019s even more good news – they help reprogram cancer cells to die and also stop them from dividing and multiplying as normal cells would. Besides containing antibacterial and antiviral properties they also have inactivate carcinogens. When you chew leafy green vegetables, these convert into biologically active compounds that prevent cancer cell growth. These are referred to as indoles, thiocyanates, and isothiocyanates.<\/p>\n

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8. Garcinia Cambogia<\/h3>\n

This fruit, extract, or supplement is often used as a natural aid to obesity. It is a pumpkin-like fruit originally found in India, south-east Asia, and the tropics. There is increasing evidence though that thanks to its antioxidant properties, it is also immensely valuable in the fight against cancer. This is thanks to the compound garcinol found in this fruit. In a recent study, the compound was found to dispense with 89% of pancreatic cancer cells, and this percentage was even higher when combined with curcumin.<\/p>\n

Curcumin<\/a> has long been hailed as a super tool when nailing cancer to the coffin, but it was found to kill only 63% of cancerous pancreatic cells compared to the almost 90% killed by garcinia. However, the biosynthesis between curcumin and garcinia was found to be the best of all, leading to a higher cancer death cell rate than if only one of the two was used. Garcinia was found to be effective in helping to manage breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, colon cancer, and leukemia.<\/p>\n

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9. Tomatoes<\/h3>\n

There\u2019s that thing about brightly colored food again. Tomatoes<\/a> have been shown to be highly beneficial when it comes to endometrial, lung, prostate, and stomach cancers. Tomatoes have incredible antioxidant properties and so are viable tools for flushing out cancer-inducing toxins from the body. In addition, they are the densest dietary source of lycopene. It is a carotenoid that is responsible for the red color in tomatoes. It is interesting that tomatoes contain carotenoids because when they were first brought from South America to Europe centuries ago, the early inhabitants of European countries such as Spain and Italy were hesitant to eat them for fear of being poisoned.<\/p>\n

Lycopene was found to stop endometrial cancer cell growth in research published in Nutrition and Cancer. Endometriosis and its related cancer cause nearly 8,000 deaths a year in the US alone. There are fears that the numbers for this disease are much higher as women often suffer in silence or are misdiagnosed.<\/p>\n

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10. Rooibos Tea<\/h3>\n

Literally translated as \u2018red bush\u2019 or honeybush, the leaf of this indigenous bushy-looking plant that is native to southern Africa is a healer of note. For centuries, the indigenous people revered it for its healing properties. Today, it is widely consumed in tea form but thanks to its high antioxidant count, is also favored in cosmetic treatments. An entire team at the Medical Research Council in Cape Town is dedicated to getting to the bottom of this wonder plant and its anti-cancer properties.<\/p>\n

Glutathione<\/a> is the body\u2019s own antioxidant but we need to replenish sources of it as we age or make bad lifestyle choices. In a study conducted on rats, doses of this plant extract increased glutathione by 400%. This is a critical discovery, as pure glutathione cannot be taken orally. The Cancer Association of South Africa was excited to learn that rooibos tea increased the ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione by 100% in people who drank six cups a day over a period of ninety days.<\/p>\n

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11. Turmeric, Other Herbs, and Spices<\/h3>\n

Turmeric is often used in curries. It is yellow-orange in color, comes in powder form, and is from the root of the plant. Turmeric contains the active ingredient curcumin, which, as explained earlier in the context of garcinia, is one of the most powerful ingredients in an anti-cancer diet. It\u2019s been shown to shrink tumor size and be especially significant in the areas of colon and breast cancer. It contains high levels of antioxidants as to capsicum<\/a> or chili, and both boost immunity and help the body heal itself for that reason.<\/p>\n

You can increase the absorption and bioavailability of turmeric by taking black pepper with it. Together, these will fight inflammation, which typically occurs when the body is being invaded by outsiders trying to cause trouble. The recommended dose is one teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1\/4 teaspoon of black pepper or more each day. You can easily ingest this as a warm drink with lemon or better yet, have it in an omelet, scrambled eggs, or stir-fry.<\/p>\n

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12. Orange-colored Fruits and Vegetables<\/h3>\n

We keep coming back to how important phytochemicals<\/a>, especially carotenoid antioxidants are in stemming cancer onset, so how do you know when a fruit or vegetable is packed with it? Look at the color – the more orange, the better. Thing pumpkin, gem squash, sweet potatoes, oranges, nectarines, the tamarind fruit in India and the tropics, and more. The particular carotenoids found in these fruits are alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and cryptoxanthin.<\/p>\n

Of these, beta-carotene is the most well-known and researched, and an essential nutrient for an immune system function. It also aids with detoxification, liver health and output, and fighting cancers of the skin, eyes, and organs. The dark color in these fruits is also due to lutein and zeaxanthin. As superior antioxidants, they preserve health cell life and fight degeneration. This means that along with bright red fruits and dark green vegetables, your food shopping basket should be an array of colors. Where there\u2019s color, there are life-saving nutrients.<\/p>\n

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13. Tamarind<\/h3>\n

The orange tamarind fruit is not known as the fruit that fends off cancer for no reason. It is a fruit found in Nepal, the tropics, India, and south-east Asia although it is now grown worldwide. You may know it for its popularity when bottled as forskolin supplements, forskolin is the compound in the rind of the fruit that has so heavily been linked to weight loss.<\/p>\n

Tamarind in Asian dishes is commonly used to provide the sour tang that sweet-sour dishes are known for; in the west, we use tamarind paste. If you eat 100mg of this paste, you will take in 36 percent of your recommended daily requirement for thiamine, 35 percent of iron, 23 percent of magnesium, and 16 percent of phosphorus<\/a>. In addition, you\u2019ll also be taking in a high amount of, calcium, vitamin D, and copper. But the health benefits don\u2019t end there. Tamarind has a documented anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer effect.<\/p>\n

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14. Green Tea<\/h3>\n

Green tea<\/a> is to the Far East – and the rest of the world – what rooibos tea is to southern Africa. In China, green tea is sipped on in small amounts the entire day, and especially before and after meals to aid digestion. Lab research has shown that green tea has slowed or prevented cancer from developing in the colon, pancreas, liver, breast, and prostate cells. It has also been shown to prevent deterioration of lung tissue and skin cells.<\/p>\n

In some longer-term studies, green tea is showing promising benefits for humans with the risk of bladder, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. More research is being conducted to find out the exact working of all the compounds in green tea and to what extent it can help. Take a pure green tea extract supplement if you don\u2019t like the taste, but make sure it contains no artificial preservatives, colorants or additives as this is paramount to the effect it has on the body. \"\"<\/p>\n

15. Unrefined Oils<\/h3>\n

It is important to ingest healthy fatty acids as this accounts for 60% of your brain and nervous system combined. Unrefined oils refer to flaxseed oil, coconut oil, cod liver oil, and extra virgin olive oil. Many of the oils we commonly consume and use in cooking actually cause damage to our cells and sent in motion the exact same cancer-forming patterns we are trying to avoid.<\/p>\n

Lowered immunity, inflammation<\/a>, poor digestion, and an \u2018angry\u2019 body, in general, are just some of the side effects of these other oils that eventually lead to cells clumping together in tumor-like masses and disease. The unrefined oils are more natural to the body, promote better digestion, help raise your immunity levels, and contain critical omega-3 fats. These healthy fats form a protective casing for some important working aspects of the body such as the brain and nerves. Without it, the brain and nerves would be much more vulnerable to attack and degeneration on a cell level, as when cancer cells strike.<\/p>\n\r\n

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