Cancer Fighting Foods

“Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.”
--Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.)

I've been more appreciative of that statement in recent years. This information is great to know for that very reason - we can use FOOD to keep disease at bay. ...As long as it's the good foods keeping it away rather than bad foods bringing it in.

Several cancer fighting foods help prevent cancer. These cancer foods can prevent breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, liver cancer, etc.

For quite some time, a growing body of research has shown that fruits and vegetables, especially richly coloured varieties, can reduce the risk of cancer with raw vegetables being more beneficial. [Note: Vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and brussel sprouts should be taken raw in moderation as they contain oxalates, excess of which can lead to gall stones.] Never overcook vegetables in order to retain their nutrients and benefits.

Cancer fighting vegetables and fruits:

Avocado

This powerful antioxidant is a strong source of phytochemicals - betacarotene, vitamin C, folate, vitamin E and unsaturated fats. Recent studies (2007) at Ohio State University indicate that extracts from Hass avocados could kill oral cancer cells as well as arrest their growth. The phytochemicals present in avocado either kill the pre-cancerous cells or stop the growth of pre-cancerous cells in the body without affecting normal cells.

Broccoli & Cabbage

The cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cabbage, contain isothiocyanates and indole-3-carbinol which are known to lower cancer risk. The indole-3-carbinol converts cancer promoting estrogen into a protective element called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane raises the levels of certain enzymes which defend the body from cigarette smoke, pesticides, fumes, and other toxins. Researchers at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York reported at the meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research in Dec 2007 that just 3 servings a month of raw
broccoli or cabbage can reduce the risk of bladder cancer by as much as 40%. The effects were most striking in non-smokers. [Juice Plus+ has Broccoli and Cabbage]

Papaya

In addition to containing vitamin C as an antioxidant and folic acid, papaya may reduce absorption of cancer-causing nitrosamines from the soil or processed foods. Antioxidants and folic acid have been shown to reduce certain cancers. [Juice Plus+ has Papaya]

Pineapple

According to researchers at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, an extract of crushed pineapple stems, bromelain, proves promising in fighting cancer growth. [Juice Plus+ has Pineapple.]

Garlic and Onion

It contains alluvium compounds that improves immune power, block carcinogens from entering cells and slow tumor development. Studies have linked garlic and onions to lower risk of stomach and colon cancer. Fresh raw garlic is more beneficial. According to research carried out in 2007 by Carlotta Galeone of the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche in Milan, people whose diets are rich in onions, garlic, and other alliums have a lower risk of several types of cancer than those who avoid them.

Kale

Containing certain nitrogen compounds, isothiocyanates, and phytochemicals that may stop the conversion of certain lesions to cancerous cells in estrogen-sensitive tissues, kale also may suppress tumor growth. [Juice Plus+ has Kale]

Sweet Potato

It contains lot of betacarotene, vitamin C and folic acid which may protect DNA in the cell nucleus from cancer causing chemicals outside the nuclear membrane.

Grapefruit, orange and citrus fruits

The citrus fruits contain contains vitamin c, betacarotene and folic acid that help to prevent cancer and reduce cholesterol. [Juice Plus+ has Oranges]

Tofu

Tofu contains estrogens that could help prevent breast cancer and prostate cancer by blocking and suppressing cancerous changes.

Tomato & Broccoli

The results of a recent research conducted at the Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois, indicates that eating tomatoes and broccoli together may offer better protection against cancer than eating either vegetable alone. "Separately, these two foods appear to have enormous cancer-fighting potential. Together, they bring out the best in each other and maximise the cancer-fighting effect," Erdman said. [Juice Plus+ has Tomato and Broccoli]

Apple

Apples have anti-cancer properties. An apple can either inhibit or kill cancer cells, according to a Cornell University research carried out in october 2007. The research team identified about 10 compounds, called triteroenoides, in the apple peel that have potent anti-proliferative activities against human liver, colon and breast cancer cells. [Juice Plus+ has Apple]