Cancer, medically known as malignant neoplasia, is an extremely complex and diverse disease condition, which is characterized by unregulated cell growth and cell multiplication. Cancer occurs when healthy cells mutate and are unable to heal themselves. This partially understood disease condition, which is the second leading cause of death, can be caused by innumerable factors, such as environmental pollution, exposure to radiation, poor dietary choices, obesity and chronic infections. A healthy diet plan is the best panacea to significantly reduce the risk of cancer. To supercharge your odds of staying ahead of this dreaded disease, you should pack your diet with powerful super foods that have high nutritional value.
Here Are Some Powerful Super Foods To Fight Cancer:
Tomatoes
Juicy tomatoes are the quintessential cancer fighting super food. The beautiful red hue of tomatoes is attributed to the presence of a carotenoid called lycopene. This potent antioxidant (lycopene) has immense cancer fighting potential and can significantly lower the risk of several types of cancer, including stomach, prostrate, lung and breast cancer (to name a few).
Tomatoes are also rich sources of essential vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C. These vitamins are known to stave off the attack launched by cancer friendly free radicals. Incorporate ripe tomatoes in fresh salads to get your daily fix of cancer fighting lycopene.
Berries
Berries are bursting with nutrients and antioxidants that can lower or even prevent the progression of cancer. This colorful summertime treat should be consumed regularly to reduce cancer risk. Berries are loaded with phyto-chemicals which can lower the risk of common types of cancer like esophageal, colon and oral cancer by almost fifty percent.
Berries contain high amounts of anthocyanin, a specific phytochemical, which retards the growth of pre-malignant cancer cells as well as the formation of new blood vessels which feeds malignant tumors. Berries also contain high amounts of ellagic acids. This natural compound found in berries can inhibit the genesis of tumors. Other cancer fighting constituents found in berries include folic acid, fiber and calcium.
Broccoli
Say ‘yes’ to cruciferous veggies like broccoli to reduce the risk of cancer. Just a few additional portions of broccoli in your weekly diet plan can lower your risk of cancer. Broccoli is loaded with essential cancer fighting vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, calcium and folate. Moreover, broccoli contains potent anti- cancer agents like phyto-chemicals, indole3-carbinols and sulforaphanes. These natural compounds which are present in broccoli are known to boost the levels of detoxifying enzymes in the body. The glucosinolates present in broccoli can also slow down the metabolism of numerous carcinogens.
Pomegranates
The slightly sweet and tart seeds of pomegranate are laden with nutrients which can inhibit the proliferation of various types of cancer. Eating pomegranate can stall the growth of common types of cancer like breast and prostrate cancer. Ripe pomegranates contain high amounts of the phyto-chemical, ellagic acid. This particular phyto-chemical (ellagic acid) is known de-activate numerous cancer causing compounds. Furthermore, pomegranates contain pro-anthocyanidins and anthocyanidins which can reduce tumor angio-genesis.
Watermelon
The unique red color of watermelon is attributed to the presence of a red plant pigment called lycopene. The carotenoid pigment lycopene acts as a strong antioxidant and helps to reduce the risk of innumerable types of cancer. In fact, watermelon contains a whopping forty percent more of lycopene than ripe tomatoes. The potent vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin A which are present in watermelon can reduce the risk of prostrate, skin, uterine, lung and breast cancer. People who fall into the high risk category for cancer are advised to drink watermelon juice and eat fresh watermelon everyday to reduce the risk of suffering from this dreaded disease condition.
Ground Flaxseeds
Preliminary studies have indicated that flax seed powder can vastly reduce the risk of cancer. The cancer fighting compounds in flax seeds can protect women against hormone sensitive cancer like breast and uterine cancer. Flax seed powder if consumed regularly can significantly lower tumor bio-markers in men. The cancer preventing properties of flax seed powder can be attributed to the presence of omega-3 fatty acids.
While omega-3 fatty acids do not directly reduce the risk of cancer, these essential fatty acids, can reduce inflammation which increases the risk of cell mutation. To increase your intake of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids in your diet have one teaspoon flax seed powder at least twice a day.
Walnuts
Walnuts are one of the most effective super foods to fight cancer. New research has indicated that eating a modest amount of walnuts every day can protect individuals against different types of cancer, particularly prostrate cancer. The cancer fighting properties of walnuts are due to the existence of high amounts of phyto-chemicals and alpha-linosleic acids. The other potentially protective compounds present in walnuts include, melatonin, gamma-tocopherol and elligitannins.
source: diyhealthremedy.com