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Healthy Living

Cancer Inhibiting Foods &

Preventative Diets:

A preventative diet is a lifestyle that revolves around eating healthy foods that will put our bodies in a position to fight off any signs of cancer before they potentially develop into something worse or life-threatening. Eating and exercising right, and regularly, can put our bodies in a position where toxins and carcinogens don't even reach and "feed" the cancer cells in our body. Think about all of the genetically modified, over-processed, greasy, fried foods we have access to. These are the foods (combined with other factors of our environment) that can speed up the process for developing invasive diseases.

 

Your best bet is to limit your intake of these harmful foods (listed further below on this page) and make sure to treat your body to foods such as the following examples:

 

  • Black, Blue, & Currant Berries

  • Apples, Avocados, Mangos & Lemons

  • Kale, Broccoli, Garlic & Bell Peppers

  • Variety of Seafood & Poultry

  • Pepper, Ginger, Basil & Cinnamon

  • Edamame, Hazelnuts & Almonds

  • Cocoa Powder, Honey & Red Wine Vinegar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Chocolate Can Help:

There are many ways in which the cacao bean and chocolate aid our bodies. Eating the right type of chocolate doesn't necessarily need to be an occasional treat. Chocolate can:

 

  • Relax blood vessels.

  • Lower blood pressure, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and blood glucose; while improving insulin function.

  • Can reduce markers of angiogenesis through it's high level of antioxidants.

  • Raise levels of dopamine (the “well-being” hormone) and oxytocin (the “attachment” hormone, released during sex and while breast-feeding a baby)

  • At least 70% cocoa content is recommended to maximize the outcome of these benefits.

 

 

Anti-Angiogenic Diets:

Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels within our bodies. Of course, we need new blood vessels to remain healthy and efficient by transporting blood and oxygen to our cells. However, tumors and cancerous cells need blood vessels to help sustain their growth as well.

 

Cancer can be slowed or even stopped with anti-angiogenic treatments (the stopping of blood vessel growth) which can then often collaborate with chemotherapy. The concept of anti-angiogenic treatment is still in the infant stages of being tested, however we do know that such treatment will only have positive effects on cancers than form tumors. Since these tumors require blood vessels to grow, certain diets can dramatically slow their development.

 

Anti-Angiogenic Foods Include:

  • Blue, Black, Straw, & Raspberries

  • Apples, Pineapples, Grapefruits, & Lemons

  • Kale, Bok Choy, & Soy Beans

  • Dark Chocolate, Grape Seed Oil, & Olive Oil

 

 

 

 

These ingredients are more so preventative foods rather than "treatments" to cancer directly. But regardless, they will certainly not hurt: A good diet full of these foods will give you the omega oils, antioxidants and vitamins that promote positive bodily activity and inhibit the growth of cancer feeding blood vessels.

 

Of course, there is no telling where cancer can spring from regardless of a healthy lifestyle. However, the risk can be lowered and we can stop cancer in our bodies before it even starts.

 

Please visit http://www.eattodefeat.org/food for an amazing and full collection of healthy foods, their benefits, and ways to fit them into your diets.

Carcinogens & Foods To Avoid:

Carcinogens are foods or toxins that promote the development of cancers within our body's tissue. Many of the foods we encounter and enjoy every day can have negative long-term effects on our organs and cells. Here is a brief list of a few items that can be harmful over time if not enjoyed in moderation:

 

  • Red Meats (during adolescent age especially, as this is when cells are growing and dividing most rapidly and when carcinogens can have their greatest influence on the new cells)

  • Fats, Nitrogenous Compounds, and Toxins associated with the preparation of red meat (BBQ)

  • Lack of Fiber (low fiber means slow digestion. Slow digestion means more exposure of toxins to your digestive system)

  • Too Much Dairy (promoting expedited growth to all cells, good and bad).

  • Microwave Popcorn

  • Soda

  • Sugar & White Flour

 

 

Being Diabetic Friendly:

Diabetics must follow strict diets in order for their body's blood sugar to maintain equilibrium. When researching which foods are safe for a diabetic to eat, we often measure a food using Glycemic Index or "GI." This index tells us how quickly blood sugar levels rise after eating that particular type of foods. Food with a very high GI for example way serve as overbearing for a diabetic and cause complications.

 

Glucose has a GI of 100. Low GI can be described at a level of 55 or less (beans, small seeds such as sunflower or flax, most vegetables and sweet fruits). Potatoes, grapes, raisins, cranberries and bananas have a medium GI level and should be eaten in moderation or slowly. Salty breads (pretzels, bagels etc) should be avoided.

 

Other Diabetic Safe Snack Choices Include:

  • Dark Chocolate w/ high cocoa content

  • Mixed Nuts: Generally undisruptive of blood sugar levels and contribute magnesium which aids on the regulation of insulin 

  • Plain Popcorn

  • Natural Peanut Butter

  • Sweet Potatoes: A lower GI alternative to regular potatoes and starches, packed with vitamin A and fiber

  • Pumpkin / Pine Seeds

  • Blueberries / Strawberries for antioxidants & fibers

  • Cranberries

  • Cinnamon: Commonly used in diabetic friendly desserts

 

DIABETIC TIP: Eat sweets with a meal, rather than as a stand-alone snack. When eaten on their own, sweets and desserts cause your blood sugar to spike. But if eaten along with other healthy foods as part of your meal, your blood sugar won’t rise as rapidly. All should contain a low glycemic index (GI).

 

Sources:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/apple-dessert-recipes-for-diabetes.html

http://blog.ted.com/2010/02/10/dr_william_lis/

http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/Blog/David-Spero/chocolate-as-diabetes-medicine/

http://www.drfuhrman.com/library/article24.aspx

http://www.glycemicindez.com/about.php

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