Archive for Cancer

Diet and Disease Prevention Part 16

April 22, 2008 No comments

Your Diet and Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is the #2 killer of men in terms of cancer-related death after lung cancer. It is also prevalent among women, but a great deal of evidence suggests that a healthy diet can do much to prevent colon cancer.

It is also a highly treatable cancer if caught in its early stages, and people can prevent recurrence if they focus on eating the right foods to maintain their colon health.

The following recommendations are a summary of the major research that has been carried out on what you can do to prevent colon cancer through focusing on healthy nutrition.

Keep your weight at a reasonable level.

• Limit your intake of red meat. Choose lean cuts and eat small portions (about 3 oz.).

• Eat several servings of whole grains and at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Include plenty of spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, oranges, berries, and carrots in your diet.
Fiber supplements can also be helpful, and also help you to feel full so you won’t over eat and gain weight. The only trouble is, they can be expensive, especially the chewable kind.

If you don’t mind the taste of psyllium seed (like Metamucil), you can buy a large tub of it in Vitamin shoppe for about $4.59 and mix it with fruit juice. Costco has its own brand of fibre supplements. The caplets are less than $7 for 250 tablets, about a 3 month supply.

• Get 1,200 mg of calcium per day by eating calcium-rich foods, such as two to three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Don’t bother to overpay for your supplements. Look at the dosage. They may be high potency vitamins, but your body can only absorb about 1500 mg per day anyway.

Emphasis getting your calcium from food, and you will also avoid overeating. Spinach salad with lowfat cheese, with a milk based smoothie, and yogurt for dessert, is a filling lunch packed with calcium. Or try sardines instead on the salad, also a great source of calcium.

Continued in Diet and Disease Prevention Part 17

Cancer, Women's Health

Diet and Disease Prevention Part 15

April 21, 2008 No comments

Your Diet and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the #8 killer of women of all deaths.

There is a growing body of research which supports the link between breast health and a good nutritionally balanced diet.

The following recommendations are a summary of the major research that has been carried out on what you can do to prevent breast cancer through focusing on healthy nutrition.

• Maintain a desirable weight for your height, build, and age.

• Limit fat intake, especially saturated fats and trans fatty acids.

• Include at least 25 g of fiber per day in your diet. Be sure to include several servings of whole grains such as wholemeal bread, brown rice, and pasta.

• Eat at least five servings per day of a variety of fruits and vegetables. At least one vegetable should be dark green, and at least one fruit or vegetable should be orange or red.

• Limit alcohol consumption to fewer than seven drinks per week. If you don’t drink at all, don’t start. Some believe that red wine has heart health benefits, but alcohol is just adding calories with little nutritional value per calorie as compared with other things you could be doing with 150 calories—like a baked potato with lowfat cheese or just about 2 light yogurts.

It is believed calcium found in lowfat dairy can also benefit breast health, as well as bone health. Take in conjunction with Vitamin D, c, and magnesium for maximum absorption.

Continues in
Diet and Disease Prevention Part 16

Cancer, Nutrition to Fight Disease, Women's Health

Diet and Disease Prevention Part 14

April 20, 2008 No comments

Your Diet and Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the #3 killer of men in terms of cancer-related death after lung cancer and colon cancer.

There is a great deal of research which supports the link between prostate health and a good nutritionally balanced diet.

The following recommendations are a summary of the major research that has been carried out on what you can do to prevent prostate cancer.

• Limit intake of fat in your diet from animal sources, especially meats and dairy products.

• Limit your intake of red meat. Choose lean cuts and eat small portions (about 3 oz.).

• Eat a diet rich in whole grains and have at least five servings per day of a variety of fruits and vegetables. At least one of the vegetables should be dark green and at least one fruit or vegetable should be orange or red. Include plenty of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage in your diet.

• Eat several servings of cooked tomato products (such as tomato sauce) per week. It is thought that lycopene has prostate cancer prevention benefits.

Avoid supplements for prostate cancer. There is little or no FDA regulation of herbal supplements and so you have no idea of the quality or dosage of the supposed active ingredients. In tests done on dietary supplements, over 90% had less of the supposed active ingredient than was claimed on the label.

Emphasis fresh homecooked foods for your nutritional needs, not herbs and supplements and packaged, prepared foods.

Continues in Diet and Disease Prevention Part 15

Cancer, Men's Health, Nutrition to Fight Disease

Pancreatic Cancer: What You Need to Know

March 7, 2008 No comments

Since Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a lot of people have become concerned with what they can do to fight pancreatic cancer.

The bad news is it tends to be symptomless until a very late stage.

The good news is that not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight and not drinking excessive alcohol can go a long way toward preventing cancer of the pancreas.

For more information from Johns Hopkins about pancreatic cancer, the #4 cancer killer in the USA, please visit:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/3/prweb752394.htm

Cancer, Nutrition to Fight Disease