According to the American Cancer Society, “In 2014, there will be an estimated 1,665,540 new cancer cases diagnosed and 585,720 cancer deaths in the US. Cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the US, accounting for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths.” February is National Cancer Prevention Month, and while some things in life are out of our control, there are many aspects of our health that are actually in our control. Things like wellness check-ups, your diet and exercise are within your power. Below are some foods you can eat in your fight against cancer.
Berries. The ellagic acid in berries (all kinds and colors), pomegranates, walnuts, pecans and grapes has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Foods with Vitamin C. Grapefruits, bell peppers, oranges, broccoli – all of these foods that are high in Vitamin C help to prevent the formation of cancer-causing nitrogen compounds.
Sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, as do other orange vegetables and leafy greens. Beta-carotene helps to reduce the risk of colon, stomach and lung cancers. In premenopausal women, it can also help to reduce the risk of breast cancer significantly.
Cruciferous Veggies. Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage may help inhibit the metabolism of some carcinogens and help up your body’s production of detoxification enzymes.
Tea. Green tea especially is good for you, though so is black, white and oolong – tea particularly lowers your risk of developing rectal and pancreatic cancers. It may also hope reduce the risk of colon, breast, ovarian, prostate and lung cancers.
Flaxseed. Flaxseed contains omega-3 fatty acids that help to keep your body strong and healthy. You can also get your omega-3’s from fatty fish and shellfish.
Turmeric. It’s that spice that makes curry powder curry powder. It’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, so it does double duty in helping to prevent some cancers. (It also had the added bonus of adding flavor to your meal!)
Wild salmon. Wild salmon is full of Vitamin-D, which may help to block the development of blood vessels that feed tumors and help stop cancerous and precancerous cells from growing. You can also find Vitamin-D in milk and yogurt.
Peanuts. A Vitamin-E rich diet helps reduce the risk of stomach, colon, long and liver cancers.
DASHA® wellness & spa is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
