Adding Anti-Cancer Foods to Your Diet

Did you know that food can play an important role in the battle against cancer? Well, good news – some simple changes to your diet may help you fight and even prevent cancer. This is important, not only for the cancer survivor and those that are currently suffering from the disease, but also for those who can benefit from preventative action. Leif Rogers, MD is a supporter of improving the diet, not only in cases of cancer recovery but also for general health.

In 1982, at the age of 40, Stephen Jay Gould, a professor of zoology at Harvard University found that he was suffering from the very rare, and often fatal form of cancer known as abdominal mesothelioma. Upon asking his physician about information on the subject, he was told that frankly, there was very little. Saving himself from despair and the basic median survival rate of 8 months with this type of cancer, Gould launched himself into a study of the disease and its possible treatment using his scholarly knowledge and skills.

Cancer and survival rates – why one person survives, while another does not – remain a mystery to most people, including medical professionals. After a lot of research, Gould found that diet can play a large part in cancer survival, along with stress management, physical exercises and other activities such as meditation. The full article can be read here.

Since Gould’s initial research additional studies have shown that a diet rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, selenium and the antioxidant vitamins C and E can help the body to ward off, fight and recover from cancer. Some studies have also shown that proper amounts of calcium and vitamin D may also play a role in protection against certain types of cancer.

So – the question is what do you do? Do you supplement your diet with commercially available forms of these nutrients or do you simply change your diet slightly? While all of these supplements are readily available, you can take some simple steps to increase your consumption of these nutrients – in their best form….food.

• Omega-3 fatty acids are highly prevalent in cold-water, meaty fish such as salmon, tuna and other deep sea fish. Eating fish 2 or 3 times a week may dramatically boost the nutrient within your body, cut out harmful fats and help with other disorders such as high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke and some mental conditions such as depression
• Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant and may help to improve functioning of the nervous system, digestive problems and oxidative exposure from the environment. It is present in many skin care products to fight aging and can be readily found in many nuts and leafy green vegetables such as greens, spinach and bell peppers.
• Vitamin C is also an anti-oxidant and thought to protect against oxidative damage to cells and may boost the immune system. It is thought to protect against the processes of aging and may boost the body’s ability to fight infection. Vitamin C is readily found in citrus fruits, peppers, and many leafy greens and tropical fruits.
• Selenium is a trace mineral, meaning that it is needed in small amounts however deficiency may lead to a poor functioning nervous system, immune function, thyroid function, sexual system and lung functioning. In addition, it may work in conjunction with Vitamin E to prevent oxidative stress and ward off cancer by preventing free radical damage. Selenium can be found in many nuts, particularly Brazil nuts and sunflower seeds, fish, shellfish and mushrooms.

If you are suffering from cancer, recovering from cancer or just want to boost your chances of avoiding the dreaded disease, there are many resources online including standup2cancer.org. Dr. Rogers and his staff can assist you in finding more information and resources.

Improving your nutritional status will certainly improve your chances of a good outcome following a reconstructive procedure or any other type of cosmetic treatment.