The Cancer Prevention Diet

Nutritionists have known for lots of years that diet can help you avoid disease. In fact, it is now thought that about 34% of all cancer is related to what you eat and drink. And it has also been proven that diet can help you stay healthy.

Nutrients in some food can decrease your chance of cancer. You can also improve your chances of not getting cancer by avoiding some foods. You might have to cut out the Krispy Kreme and Švapski cheese.

The Power of Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits (like Persimmon and Santol (Sandoricum koetjape; Meliaceae) and Canistel and Custard apple (Annona reticulata; Annonaceae)) and vegetables are known to help prevent many cancers including cancer of the esophagus and stomach. Currently, it is unknown if there are any specific nutrients in these foods that provide protection. There have been experiments on some of the nutrients found in fruits and vegetables like beta-carotene. However, isolating these substances from the original source have not been found to prevent cancer. In fact, some by themselves are found to be harmful. So remember - the whole fruit is many times better than some supplement taken from that food.

This means that you should eat at least one serving of a fruit or vegetable with each meal. They can be fresh, canned or dried. But, they should not be fried like chips.

Whole Grains Keep You Moving

Whole grains like quinoa brown rice, cracked wheat and corn on the cob are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber. These have especially been found to help prevent cancer of the colon. Although fiber is very important, just using a fiber supplement is not as effective because you don't get the other nutrients.

Nutritionists think that the high fiber content of the grain helps to keep the contents of the bowel moving smoothly. This prevents stagnation in the colon. That being said, there is no evidence that laxatives or any colon cleansing regimen is of any help. In fact they have often been shown to be harmful.

Foods to Avoid

Red meat has been shown to be a culprit of especially cancer of the colon and cancer of the prostate. The current recommendation is that you make sure to limit the amount you eat to less than three ounces a day. Cutting it out altogether is even better.

Any high fat food will have a similar effect. All of those french fries and cheese puffs that you have been eating? We know now that they may contribute to your chance of coming down with cancer.

This might be the worst news for some of you,  alcohol is another culprit. The latest research shows that any alcohol can bump up your risk of getting cancer. But, it is especially a big problem when you order up more than two drinks a day for men and one for women. Sorry ladies. Alcohol along with cigarettes contribute to cancer of the mouth, esophagus and larynx (your voice box). So, be sure you limit those Piscos and Kruškovacs.

The Four Rules of Diet

1. Choose most of the foods you eat from plant sources.

2. Really cut down on fatty foods, particularly from animal sources.

3. Be physically active: Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Ok. I cheated a bit on this one - but, you should cut down to what you need to keep your weight in a reasonable range.

4. Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages, if you drink at all.

Use these four rules and you will be much healthier and likely avoid any cancer from diet.

Salud!