DR. WALKER

10 Top Cancer Protective Foods

Cancer continues to be a leading cause of death in the US and in many countries around the world. What has been ignored for some time is the role that nutrition plays in the fight against cancer. Specifically, that things like process foods play in increasing the risk of malignancies. Processed foods are generally high in refined sugars and heavily refined carbohydrates. These are associated with obesity and likely has some influence on insulin-like growth factors, which are known promoters of inflammation and cellular proliferation.

Top 10 Anti-Cancer Foods

Broccoli and other Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables contain sulforaphane which helps to inhibit certain carcinogens. Sulfur containing foods are excellent sources in the fight against cancer. These foods are also known to inhibit cancer cell growth.
Cruciferous vegetables include cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts, bok choy, collard greens, kale, and broccoli. These are high in B vitamins, magnesium, and polyphenols, which can slow the growth of cancer cells.
Stay away from these vegetables: Nightshade foods contain a product called Solanine, which is thought to worsen arthritis and inflammation. Additionally, nightshade products are high in lectins. Lectins are associated with inflammation, and remember inflammation results in disease.
Common nightshade products include tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and bell peppers. A few notable exceptions to the nightshade family that tend to decrease inflammation are goji berries, and purple potatoes. People with rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory disorders should minimize the amount of lectin products in their diet.

Allium Family Foods of this family are often high in sulfa compounds and flavonoids which are well-known for their anti-cancer properties, as well as preventing the growth and spread of several cancers. Foods in this arena would include onions, garlic, scallions, leeks, and chives. Garlic has shown to slow or stop the growth of tumors in the prostate, bladder, colon, and stomach, as well as protective benefits against skin and lung cancers. Garlic is also known to block or halt the activation of cancer-causing substance with marked reduction in ability of certain cancer cells to spread.

Dark Green, Leafy Vegetables Leafy green vegetables are an abundant source of folate, which helps stabilize DNA formation and could also repair damaged DNA structure. These vegetables are also high in Beta Carotene, and zeaxanthin which are powerful antioxidants. Some of these foods include broccoli, kale, and cabbage.

Fruits/Berries Blueberries and blackberries contain ellagic acid which is a wonderful antioxidant that is known to inhibit tumor growth. They are full of poly nutrients and antioxidants. Berries on a whole have been associated with cancer impedance, apoptosis/programmed cell death, and also limit the spread of cancers. Some other berries in the category include raspberries, and strawberries.
Say NO to these: Grapes, mangoes, watermelon. Although grapes are high in resveratrol, they are also very high in sugar which is inflammatory in origin. Also reduce consumption of fruit juices, dried fruits, and canned fruits as they are also high in fructose corn syrup, and carbs. Many dried fruits and fruit juices contain added sugar, which will offset any potential fiber health benefits.

Herbs and Spices Ginger and turmeric are two of the most powerful anti-inflammatory spices one could eat. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which is known to be lethal to cancer. Curcumin can block cancer cells from multiplying and in some instances may even kill colon, breast, prostate, and melanoma cancer cells. Curcumin can decrease inflammation and help the body detect and destroy mutated cells. Ginger along with turmeric are known to target and inhibit various cancer pathways. Ginger can inhibit growth of certain cancer cells by interrupting their cell-cycle progression, and impairing cancer reproduction.
Cinnamon is another powerful spice, which helps to limit the progression of cancer by inducing apoptosis/program cell death. Cinnamon is also known to reduce cancer size in several models.

Health Benefits of Nuts True nuts to include walnuts, almonds, and pistachios are known to help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer to include endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Nuts are high in antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory. Antioxidants tend to neutralize highly reactive molecules or free radicals that could damage DNA, and that could be the nidus for developing certain cancers. Brazil nuts for example contain selenium, and several other antioxidant enzymes. Selenium may decrease the risk of colon, gastrointestinal, lung and breast cancers. Additionally, nuts contain flavonoids and phenolic acids which are phytocompounds that are thought to increase anti-inflammatory enzymes, and increased antioxidant levels in several studies.
Say NO to these: Several legumes are often confused with nuts. These include beans, peas, lentils, peanut, cashews. Also, say no to chia, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds as they are also high in lectins.

Healthy Oils/Fats Oils to include olive oil, and flaxseed oil are found to reduce the growth and spread of certain cancers. Both of these oils have been known to reduce risk of colorectal cancers. In one study, diet high in olive oil was associated with a 50% risk reduction in several Mediterranean countries.
Say NO to these oils: Cottonseed, corn oil, grapeseed oil, vegetable oil, safflower oil, soy oil, and sunflower oil.
These oils are generally highly processed, which strips them of their antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. These are also higher in omega-6 fatty acids which can lead to increased inflammation in the body and potentially contribute to disease. Additionally, some oils in this group may contain high levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can be dangerous to human health. PAHs have been found to cause cancer.

Good Types of Fat/Oils to Use

• Olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Macadamia oil
• MCT oil
• Avocado oil
• Perilla oil
• Walnut oil
• Red palm oil
• Sesame oil
• Flavored cod liver oil

Stay Clear of These Fats/Oils

• Soy oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Corn oil
• Cottonseed oil
• Safflower oil
• Sunflower oil
• Partially hydrogenated vegetable or canola oil
• Peanut oil

About Mushrooms

Studies suggest that mushrooms when eaten daily have a 45% risk reduction of certain cancers, when compared to people who did not eat mushrooms. Mushrooms are thought to decrease several cancers and increased program death of several cancers. Most important in the list of mushrooms include a shiitake, oyster, maitake, and king oyster mushrooms, which are rich in vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. Additionally, these mushrooms are rich in the amino acid ergothioneine which is known to induce necroptosis (cancerous cell death) in colorectal cancers.

Teas/Green Tea Green tea is high in EGCG/epigallocatechin gallate which is known to retard the growth of several cancers. Green tea also helps to prevent the development of cancer as well as killing developing cancerous cells. EGCG is known to inhibit the spread of certain cancer cells, and specifically known to reduce the recurrence of breast cancer.

Oily/Fatty Fish Fatty/oily fish like mackerel, tuna, herring, salmon, and trout are high in omega-3 fatty acids known to lower risk of malignancies. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce fatty deposition within the vessels, prevent heart disease, and help to manage symptoms of multiple autoimmune disorders to include lupus. Fatty fish/omega-3 consumption can also reduce risk of prostate cancer.