Top 10 foods that help prevent cancer

No illness or disease is wanted by anyone, but among everything out there, one word scares all the people in the world: CANCER!

Even if there is no one dear to you that has been attacked by this atrocity, taking preventive measures against it is better than having to treat it; this is important because most types of cancer do not have visible symptoms until it’s too late and survival chances are below 50%, even with surgery and chemotherapy.

A healthy body is more prepared to face the threat of cancer, and strengthening it is the most important aspect of our lives. It is true that urban life is full of pollution and degrading agents like stress that take their toll on our bodies, but we can still fortify our immunity in order to avoid the unfortunate outcome of being diagnosed with cancer.

There is no magic pill that will make us cancer-proof, but Mother Nature is giving us a few helpful foods that can change our chances and keep cancer away.

#10 – Pomegranates

Active ingredient: Ellagic Acid
Pomegranates are extremely tasteful and they are filled with this magic ingredient that slows down and even stops cancer cells growth, while deactivating some cancer-causing compounds. Pomegranate seeds can be eaten as a healthy afternoon snack, offering the energy boost everyone needs daily, turned into healthy smoothies or added as a topping on ice-cream, yogurt or weekend cheesecakes. Ellagic acid can also be found in blackberries, raspberries, walnuts, strawberries, cranberries, pecans and grapes, so the choice is unlimited.

#9 – Garlic

Active Ingredient: Sulfur Compounds
Garlic is considered a wonder-food. It is the ultimate immunity booster and should not be left out of every Sunday family dinner. It contains sulfur compounds that reduce tumor growth and some studies have shown that it reduces the incidence of stomach cancer by a factor of 12.

#8 – Turmeric

Active Ingredient: Curcumin
Made from curry powder, this yellow spice has curcumin in its composition, an ingredient that does a great job as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent. Regarding cancer, is interferes with aspects of cellular signaling. Studies have shown it helps prevent colon, breast, liver, stomach and lung cancer. You can add turmeric to eggs and chicken dishes, but researchers warn that people who already suffer from cancer should use it only under medical advice, as it has interfered with the efficiency of some anti-cancer drugs.

#7 – Cruciferous Vegetables

Active Ingredient: Phytonutrients
These natural chemical compounds called phytonutrients are found in all plant foods, but cruciferous vegetable are extremely abundant in them. The role of phytonutrients is as important as that of vitamins and minerals and it helps boost the immune system of our body. The phytonutrients found in cruciferous vegetable, like brocolli, cabbage and cauliflower are called glucosinolates and they inhibit the metabolism of some carcinogens (the cancer starves to death), while boosting the organism’s production of detoxification enzymes.

#6 – Tea

Active Ingredient: Catechins
China and Japan are world leaders in tea consumption, so it is only logic that medical studies have been conducted there. The results have shown that tea-drinking Chinese people have a lower risk of developing pancreatic and rectal cancer, as compared to non-drinkers, as well as reduced risk of getting breast, colon, prostate, ovarian and lung cancer. The studies conducted in Japan show that tea consumption led to a decrease in stomach cancer among women. The reason is the active ingredient found in tea: catechins. These compounds have the ability to stop cancer cell growth and inhibit cellular mutations that lead to cancer cell formation. There are different varieties of tea: white, black, green and oolong. Try them all and if you dare to change your daily routine from coffee to tea, you will definitely see the long-term benefits.

#5 – Flax seeds

Active Ingredient: Omega-3
Fatty Acids Everyone has heard about the benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids. They boost the immune system, they keep our bodies healthy and strong. But what do they do against cancer? Their anti-inflammatory qualities reduce cell-mutation that leads to cancer; this way, they disrupt cancer-forming processes that are mandatory to tumor growth. Beside adding ground flax seeds to your yogurt and smoothies, you can get Omega-3 Fatty acids from shellfish and fatty fish.

#4 – Salmon

Active Ingredient: Fatty Acids and Vitamin D
In the fight to prevent cancer, Vitamin D is and essential sidekick. Normal and even slightly higher levels of Vitamin D help block the development of blood vessels that lead to cancer cells and slow or even stop the growth of tumors. Breast and colon cancer incidence was higher in people with low Vitamin D levels. Wild salmon is full of Vitamin D, not to mention Fatty Acids which everyone knows about. Along salmon, Vitamin D fortified dairy is recommended and the daily intake should be around 1,000 IUs of Vitamin D.

#3 – Sweet Potatoes

Active Ingredient: Beta-carotene
One of the most powerful antioxidants in the world is beta-carotene, found in leafy greens and orange vegetables. Among those, the most rich in this essential element against cancer are sweet potatoes and carrots. They help reduce the risk of stomach, colon and lung cancer and cuts the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women by half. Do yourself a favor and switch those french fries with sweet french fries! It’ll do wonders to your body.

#2 – Berries

Active Ingredient: Antioxidants, Pterostilbene
What could be a better desert or snack than these delicious gifts from nature? The antioxidants found in black raspberries showed a 60% reduction in tumors in tests and pterostilbene, the antioxidant found in blueberries led to 80% reduction of colon tumors. The amazing properties of all berries are yet to be found, but what we do know by know is that they are a true fountain of youth and health!

#1 – Grapefruit

Active Ingredient: Vitamin C
Get ready to start pilling up fruits on your table, because they are the road to being healthy. Vitamin C, the most powerful antioxidant, does more than just to keep you young and good-looking. It creates nitrogen compounds that inhibit cancer cell formation. Colon, stomach, bladder, esophagus, cervix and breast cancer incidence is lower in people with a high intake of Vitamin C! But remember this: it is more powerful from fruit than from supplements, so start eating grapefruit, lemons, oranges and limes and keep that cancer away!

Courtesy of http://www.uncoverdiscover.com