5 WAYS TO FIGHT CANCER NATURALLY

            5 WAYS TO FIGHT CANCER NATURALLY

Dear friends, today we will discuss about the role of diet in prevention and treatment of cancer. The cancerous cells can grow in any part of the body. Depending on the type of cells involved, there are different types of cancer. According to researches, 35% of cancers occur due to wrong diet i.e. diet high in fats and processed food.

1 FOOD WHICH IS CONSIDERED GOOD  FOR CANCER

Fruit and vegetable diet – Fruit and vegetable are considered very beneficial in cancer. As these contain bioflavonoid, fiber, antioxidants like carotene and vitamin C. These slow and stop the growth of cancerous cells.

Plant chemicals can also prevent the effect of cancer causing substances (carcinogens), radiations, and other environmental factors. They can stimulate the protective enzymes and slow the action of hormones inducing proliferation of cancerous cells.

Role of fat – Obesity and high fat diet is found to be one of the reasons of causing cancer. Fat is associated with colon, uterus, prostate and skin cancer. The association of fat and breast cancer is controversial. Experts recommend not more than 30% of your total calories should come from fat.

High fiber – High fiber diet is considered good for preventing cancer. As fiber helps in emptying waste from the colon and reducing the chances of colon cancer. It also helps to maintain to reduce obesity thus minimizing the chances of cancer associated with obesity.

2 HARMFUL HABITS WHICH FUEL   CANCER

Smoking – Smoking is one of the reasons which can result in cancer. So this bad habit should be omitted. It can result in lung, esophageal, mouth and larynx cancer. Smoking can deplete the body stores of vitamin C. If one cannot stop smoking so at least he should eat more vitamin C rich food.

It also depletes the stores of vitamin B complex vitamins. So to avoid cancer, smokers should eat healthy diet comprising of whole grains, eggs, green leafy vegetables, legumes and fruits.

Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage family) are very helpful in preventing cancer. They contain compounds like indoles, phenolic acids and plant sterols a precursor of vitamin D.

Processed food – Smoked meat, fried, cured, pickled and processed food if eaten in excess can cause cancer. Smoked meat has polyaromatic hydrocarbons which is a potential carcinogen.

 Pickled food can irritate intestine and can start tumor. Processed food contains nitrites that form nitrosamines which are carcinogens. If we take vitamin C and E rich food with these, then chances of cancer is low.

Alcohol – Alcohol is also detrimental for our health and can cause cancer. So avoid excessive use of alcohol. Alcohol can cause mouth, larynx, liver, esophageal cancer. Alcohol hampers the use of carotene by the body, which protect us against cancer. It also depletes the sources of Folate, other B complex vitamins and selenium also. Folic acid has been found to be slow the proliferation of cancerous cells. Low level of folate has been found to be one of the reasons of cancer.

3 Food that is beneficial for keeping away  Cancer

Apples, berries, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables – These fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids which protect against cancer. They also stop the change in DNA of the cells.

Green Tea – It has catechin, which has antioxidant properties. It helps to destroy carcinogens in the body. It also develops the immunity of the body. It stops the tumor growth in the cells.

Onion and garlic – These contain sulfur. They increase the immunity of the cells. These may also reduce tumor growth.

Tomato - They have lycopene, an antioxidant, which has protective properties against cancer.

Wheat bran, fish, sea food and oats – These contain selenium. It has been found to be a cancer fighter.

4 DIET DURING CANCER

Cancer requires a well balanced diet to fight the disease and to combat the side effects of treatment. As cancer mainly requires surgery as its treatment. So to heal the wounds and recuperate, patient requires healthy diet.

The disease itself causes depression and other symptoms. In colon cancer, due to intestinal bleeding, patient suffers from anemia. Weight loss is very common in cancer patients.

Chemotherapy and radiations also results in loss of appetite and nausea. So all these factors should be kept in mind while planning the diet of cancer patients.

The stage and type of malignancy should be kept in mind to decide the diet of cancer patient. Low fat diet, high in fiber (Grains and starches) and fruit and vegetables is good for cancer treatment. As plant and chemical contain natural chemical that retard the growth of tumor.

High protein diet to recover from surgery and the disease itself is very necessary. To heal the wounds, two or more sources of skimmed milk, lean meat, tofu, egg and legumes can be consumed.

5 DIETARY GUIDELINES TO PROVIDE  COMFORTABLE EATING EXPERIENCE  TO CANCER PATIENTS

As cancer patients suffer side effects of the treatment like loss of appetite, nausea and many other symptoms along with the disease. So following steps can be taken to provide relief to the patient –

1.   As cancer patient feel nausea, so patient should be given maximum food at the time when he is feeling well. Morning is the time when the patient can be given more food as compared to the other time of the day. After that small frequent meals can be given with two hours gap in between.

2.   Food should be home cooked and well balanced with nutritious meals.

3.   It can be prepared by the other member of the family. As food odor can cause nausea. Food at normal temperature or cold food should be served. As hot food gives out more odor.

4.   If mouth sore is a problem then, food should be liquefied or custards, porridge, eggs and soups can be given to cancer patient.

5.   If there is difficulty in swallowing the food. Food can be given with skimmed milk and gravies to soften the food for cancer patients.

6.    If patient has diarrhea due to chemotherapy, then he should not be given high fat food, whole grains and raw fruits. He should be given binding food like banana, rice, and toast and apple sauce.

7.   Food should be appealing to the cancer patient. Fruit can be added to the porridge and flower vase can be kept to make the environment pleasant.

8.   Care should be taken of dental hygiene. If mouth sore is a problem in brushing the teeth. Teeth can be cleaned with baking soda paste with the help of soft cloth.