8 Diet Tips If You Don’t Want Cancer (And No One Wants Cancer)

Medical science has obviously made quantum leaps forward over the last several decades. We know so much today than we did 50 years ago that sometimes it seems like science fiction. It’s all very exciting.

But one rule remains just as true today as it was back then:  You are what you eat.

A healthy diet can give you more energy, help you ward off sickness and disease and even enable you to live longer. Research indicates that a healthy diet can be a critical weapon in preventing cancer. SO, with that in mind, here are eight ways to change your diet and fortify yourself against the Big C:

1.      Eat less fat. A diet high in fat can lead to an increase in low density lipoproteins, which increases your LDL cholesterol level. That’s bad. LDLs help “feed” tumors, so a diet that lowers LDLs can be effective at combatting cancer.

2.      Eat more fiber. Fiber speeds potential carcinogens through the intestines, decreasing the amount of time carcinogens are in contact with the intestinal wall. Less exposure to carcinogens is good.

3.      Get your fill of antioxidants. In particular, you should get as much beta carotene, Vitamin C and Vitamin E as you can. Antioxidants make your individuals cells healthier in several ways, and more able to fight cancer-causing agents.

4.      Replace red meat with seafood. There is solid evidence that there’s a connection between eating red meat and colon cancer. Meanwhile, eating fish that’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to reduced levels of prostate, breast and colon cancer.

5.      Better yet, switch to a plant-based diet instead of animal-based one. Plants have less fat and more fiber. There are plenty of people who believe the rise in cancer is caused by an animal-based diet. Vegetarians have a much lower incidence of cancer than meat eaters. Eating lots of raw fruits and vegetables as the centerpiece of your diet will have significant health benefits.

6.      Drink less alcohol. Alcohol is believed to contribute to colorectal cancer. It’s true that red wine has healthy properties, but so do grapes. Eat the grapes.

7.      Make sure you get these anti-cancer nutrients.  Vitamin D, Selenium, Acidophilus, and catechins. If you have no idea what those nutrients are, no worries; just eat more red snapper and other fish, whole grains, and yogurt, and drink more vitamin D-fortified milk and green tea.

8.      Eat healthy oils. Fish oil, flax oil and olive oil all contain fat, but the evidence is solid that the health benefits of these omega-3 fat containing oils help ward off cancer.

For more information about Crozer-Keystone Health System Cancer Services, visit http://ckcancer.crozerkeystone.org. You can also call 1-866-695-HOPE (4673) to request an appointment with a physician who cares for cancer patients.