Eating healthy foods is not only beneficial to stay fit.
It is also required to help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
According to studies, what we eat also influences cancer prevalence in the gastrointestinal tract and other body parts.
Thus, nutrition is an excellent cancer prevention strategy.
However, if you are at a higher risk of cancer or have been diagnosed with a specific type of cancer, what foods are there to fight the tumor?
In this article, top 10 cancer-fighting foods to consider adding to your diet in conjunction with medical therapy.
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10 cancer-fighting foods
Fighting cancer with nutrition is not only a matter of incorporating one or two foods. It would be best to lead a healthy dietary pattern such as the Mediterranean diet.
This particular diet is known to reduce cancer incidence. Studies suggest that it may have potential benefits in reducing cancer incidence and improving survival rates (1).
However, if we could recommend ten foods to fight cancer along with medical treatment, they would be:
1. Garlic
This spice is valuable against different types of cancer. It has phytonutrients with chemopreventive roles to help cancer patients recover faster.
It has been suggested that garlic may interfere with various stages of cancer development and inhibit tumor growth. Some studies indicate that phytochemicals in garlic exhibit cytotoxic activity against cancer cells while sparing normal cells
Thus, it is highly selective and has been found beneficial in animal trials and in vitro studies of sarcoma, bladder tumors, colorectal cancer, among others (2).
2. Green tea
This beverage is by far the most widely studied in the herbal department. Green tea is widely studied for its potential to improve cardiovascular health, and it also shows promise in having anti-cancer effects by influencing tumor growth, triggering cellular death in cancer cells, and inhibiting androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer.
Some studies suggest that the antioxidants in green tea green tea may have a protective effect against DNA damage in cancer and the preservation of healthy cells, particularly in inflamed tissues (3).
3. Turmeric
This spice is popular in Asian foods. It displays a potent anti-inflammatory effect. Due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric has shown promise as a potential component of cancer therapy.
It has been studied in colon cancer with excellent results. Besides displaying anti-tumor activity, it is also known to prevent metastasis.
Some research suggests that turmeric may have chemotherapeutic properties that could contribute to reducing the spread of cancer to other tissues and potentially improve the survival rate of patients with advanced cancer.
Turmeric can be a potent ally in cases of stomach cancer as it fights cancer while reducing inflammation. It is also an excellent ally in esophageal cancer (4).
4. Olive oil
This is one of the main components of the Mediterranean diet, which has been found beneficial for cancer patients. This type of oil has monounsaturated fatty acids, terpenoids, and flavonoids that reduce cancer risk, promote apoptosis, modulate the cell cycle, and regulate the formation of blood vessels.
Consuming this type of healthy oil reduces inflammation and may even change the epigenetic patterns of cancer.
Olive oil is best used as a seasoning for salads and other dishes. While it has reported benefits in the scientific literature, it’s important to remember that the overall balance of your diet plays a significant role in reaping these benefits (5).
5. Cruciferous vegetables
Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables may also modulate how cancer cells function.
They have substances with anti-cancer effects known as isothiocyanates which trigger apoptosis, regulate proliferation, and help control the cell cycle. They are believed to be potentially helpful in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, potentially working synergistically to support cancer treatment.
Research suggests that cruciferous vegetables may contribute to improved prognosis in patients with bladder cancer and have potential therapeutic benefits in other types of cancer as well(6).
6. Leafy greens
Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale, also have significant cancer-fighting properties, particularly in individuals with low folic acid levels.
In addition to providing essential vitamins and minerals, which are important for overall health. dark green leafy vegetables also have high beta-carotene levels. They increase the antioxidant profile in patients with chronic diseases and relieve inflammation (7).
7. Walnuts
There’s an exciting study about walnuts and their effect on breast cancer gene expression. According to this study, 456 genes changed inside the tumor, and the only difference was the introduction of walnuts in the diet.
Such genes promoted apoptosis to fight cancer, caused cell migration and proliferation inhibition, and prevented the onset of metastasis.
Similarly, some other nuts may also exhibit similar effects. Many nuts are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known for their potential anti-inflammatory properties and their possible benefits against various types of cancer(8).
8. Flaxseed
Flaxseed is a plant-based food rich in lignans, important polyphenols that can help prevent cancer through various mechanisms. Flaxseeds change the cell cycle, influence cell growth, and differentiation, and increase apoptosis rate.
An interesting effect is a reduction of angiogenesis or blood vessel formation. When the tumor does not have enough blood vessels, cancer cells do not have enough nutrients to keep growing (9).
9. Fatty fish
This type of fish contains abundant omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, and studies show that it increases cancer response to chemotherapy.
Fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel, are abundant sources of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Contrary to what was previously stated, omega-3 fatty acids are well-known for their anti-inflammatory properties, and studies have suggested that they may enhance the response of cancer to chemotherapy. Vitamin D obtained from natural sources has been associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer. Some studies in patients with lung cancer and cachexia (a condition characterized by weight loss, weakness, and loss of appetite) have indicated that omega-3 oils may help manage this syndrome, which is common in cancer patients (10).
10. Whole grains
The dietary fiber in whole grains may prevent bowel cancer, even when patients consume red and processed meat with saturated fats.
Studies on breast cancer have demonstrated the effects of whole grains on cancerous cells. There’s an inhibition of proliferation and antigrowth signals triggered by whole grains.
There’s also a modulation in the immune system, reducing inflammation and its effect on the proliferation of malignant cells. Whole grains may also target metastasis and reduce the migratory potential of these cells (11,12).
Conclusion
This article has reviewed the importance of eating healthily in cancer patients to inhibit cancer growth and increase the survival rate. The Mediterranean diet is an excellent way to do that, and we have listed 10 cancer fighting foods that will help you achieve better results alongside cancer treatment.
Some nutrients found in a healthy diet may also be consumed in supplements. Talk to your doctor before using them to ensure that you’re a suitable candidate depending on the type of cancer you have and the therapy you’re currently receiving.
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