***I am not a doctor. This is NOT medical advice. This is NOT a definitive statement on how cancer works ***
There is much being written now about the link between diet and cancer. I recently read, "Foods to Fight Cancer" by Dr. Richard Beliveau and Dr. Denis Gringras (cancer researchers - see my book review). According to the authors, one of the risk factors for cancer is poor diet (up to 30%), that is, about one-third of all cancers may be linked to diet. They talk about what research exists that shows eating certain foods help fight cancer. (I've included my interpreted summary in a table below).
The bottom line is to eat a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. It is interesting to note that newer cancer drugs target one of the two ways cancer works, and mimic the effects of fruit and vegetables.
How cancer works:
But first a quick overview of these two basic ideas (as explained by the authors):
1. Apoptosis. Cancer cells don't "commit suicide" when defective, nor respond to calls to do so by the community of cells surrounding it, which is what normal cells are programmed to do. Cancer cells continue to replicate.
2. Angiogenesis. Cancer cells encourage a blood supply to develop such that the tumour grows.
Different foods help promote cancer cell death and/or help starve cancer cells of their blood supply as the cancer cells go through the stages of development into a tumour and then metastasis.
What I understand:
What changes have I made to my diet?
While I never ate a particularly poor diet, I feel I have to do everything I can to make sure that cancer doesn't get "turned on" again.
Ah well. The increase in plant material has been hell on my digestive system. And just how is this new diet going?
Well, I'll tell you, I'd much rather be eating...
There is much being written now about the link between diet and cancer. I recently read, "Foods to Fight Cancer" by Dr. Richard Beliveau and Dr. Denis Gringras (cancer researchers - see my book review). According to the authors, one of the risk factors for cancer is poor diet (up to 30%), that is, about one-third of all cancers may be linked to diet. They talk about what research exists that shows eating certain foods help fight cancer. (I've included my interpreted summary in a table below).
The bottom line is to eat a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. It is interesting to note that newer cancer drugs target one of the two ways cancer works, and mimic the effects of fruit and vegetables.
How cancer works:
But first a quick overview of these two basic ideas (as explained by the authors):
1. Apoptosis. Cancer cells don't "commit suicide" when defective, nor respond to calls to do so by the community of cells surrounding it, which is what normal cells are programmed to do. Cancer cells continue to replicate.
2. Angiogenesis. Cancer cells encourage a blood supply to develop such that the tumour grows.
Different foods help promote cancer cell death and/or help starve cancer cells of their blood supply as the cancer cells go through the stages of development into a tumour and then metastasis.
What I understand:
- Undetectable tumours can occur in anyone and remain undetectable, and may be small enough not to pose a health risk. The issue is when it develops further.
- Fresh fruit and vegetables shipped in may lose nutrients just like frozen. So just pick the method that gets you eating more.
- Supplements alone are not the answer since foods interact in ways that are not completely understood and may be beneficial in the way a single-synthesized nutrient cannot duplicate. For example, the benefits of tomato is increased when cooked in olive oil and the potency of curcumin as an anti-cancer food is increased when eaten with pepper.
- Different foods seem to reduce the risk for different cancers (for example, tomatoes for prostate cancer.)
- These are not the only foods that can be eaten for cancer, but these as part of a diversified diet rich in fruits and vegetables help in the fight against cancer
- Uncooked vegetables are usually better than cooked (since nutrients dissolve in water), and steamed if it has to be cooked.
What changes have I made to my diet?
While I never ate a particularly poor diet, I feel I have to do everything I can to make sure that cancer doesn't get "turned on" again.
- In general, I am trying to keep to a low glycemic diet.
- I've swapped black tea for green tea, but so far only 1 cup/day. Not sure I am able to get to 3 cups/day.
- I've started adding ground flax seed to my breakfast cereal.
- I've increased the amount of vegetables that I eat per day, and trying to have vegetables for lunch and dinner. So far I have not been able to get to the required amounts/day. I eat broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts almost every day.
- I am eating more spinach, both in a small salad and I have been adding it to smoothies.
- I have started drinking fruit smoothies (soy or almond milk with frozen or fresh fruit) for dessert.
- I have given up milk chocolate in favour of dark chocolate (more than 70% cocoa).
- Whenever I eat out, I will opt for grilled salmon, but I can't do the requisite per week. I may take supplements for Omega-3.
- I've given up my daily vitamin except for Vitamin D (and I am taking 2,000 IUs/day).
- I will add curcumin (tumeric) to anything I think I can get away with.
- I have even tried making some kale dish. Wasn't able to eat it though, so I have to keep trying. I've been recently told to make kale chips.
- I am using much more garlic in my cooking that I ever have (twice as much).
Ah well. The increase in plant material has been hell on my digestive system. And just how is this new diet going?
Well, I'll tell you, I'd much rather be eating...
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p.s. my son suggested the colour :)