Superfoods to Reduce the Risk of Cancer

Superfoods to Reduce the Risk of Cancer

Cancer treatment can be very hard on your body, which is why it is important to do everything that you can to lower your risk of developing cancer in the first place. While some cancers are genetic in nature, there are many external factors (i.e., smoking, body weight, chemical exposure, etc.) that may increase the risk of many types of cancer. While many cancer risk factors are beyond our control, such as age and family history, diet can influence your cancer risk.
For instance, incorporating the following superfoods into your diet may help reduce overall cancer risk:

1. Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, green cabbage and Brussels sprouts. These vegetables contain sulforaphane, which is a compound that can help stop cancerous cells from forming. Animal studies have shown that sulforaphane can kill cancerous cells.

2. Dark berries
Berries make a great snack or an addition to your yogurt, ice cream or smoothies. They can also lower your risk of developing cancer. It has anthocyanins in them, which may help lower your risk of developing cancer. One study involved 25 participants who took bilberry extract for one week. It was found to reduce cancer cell growth by 7%.

3. Fatty fish
People love fish because it not only tastes great, but it is a good source of healthy protein. It may also help lower your risk of developing cancer. There was a study done that involved 61,433 women who were between the ages of 40 and 76. The study followed them for 15 years. They were asked to report their dietary choices. The results of the study showed that the subjects who had fish at least once a week were 44% less likely to develop kidney cancer. They were also able to lower their overall risk of kidney cancer by 74% during a 10-year period.

4. Walnuts
Walnuts can lower your chances of developing cancer. They are high in selenium. This nutrient has been shown to reduce the growth of cancerous cells. Animal studies have shown that selenium can reduce the growth of breast cancer tumors by 60%. You can reap major benefits by having just a handful of nuts every day.

5. Legumes
Legumes include lentils, peas and beans. Studies have shown that people who eat a lot of these foods are less likely to develop colon cancer. Researchers have also found that women who follow a high-fiber diet are less likely to develop breast cancer. Beans, peas and lentils are high in fiber.

Featuring the above mentioned foods in your diet at least three times per week can help protect you from cancer, and also lower overall cholesterol level. If you have already been diagnosed with cancer, talk to your doctor about your options for treatment. Many doctors will recommend a combination of surgery, chemo and radiation and prescription medications (i.e., for thyroid cancer treatment) such as Gavreto.