Cancer is a disease that we all wish didn’t exist. It can ravage the body and the lives of those around the sufferer. No one can predict who will and who won’t get cancer. But, one way that you can reduce your risk of certain kinds of cancers is through watching your nutritional intake.

You are what you eat. Even when you are young, eating poorly will eventually catch up with you. Eating a natural diet not only helps your body by boosting your immune system, it also keeps the body operating in good condition on the inside.

Besides having yearly checkups and mammograms or ultrasound (for women), we can also make nutritional changes to lower our risk. This is the emphasis of cancer fighting nutrition. So let’s get to it.

Cancer Fighting Nutrition

Fruits and Vegetables

One way to do that is to eat more fruits and vegetables. These foods contain complex carbohydrates as well as other substances like antioxidants. Antioxidants fight free radical damage in the body. Free radicals are by-products of cellular metabolism. They also come from the environment, second-hand smoke, foods and stress.

These particles bombard the organs and cause the signs of aging and the breakdown of body systems that can lead to diseases like cancer. Here are some types of fruits and vegetables that are particularly good for fighting cancer:

Cruciferous veggies – These are your broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. They contain sulfur compounds that help fight cancer.

Alliums – This is a type of vegetable family that includes onions, garlic and leeks. They may make you cry when you cut them, but they are good for you. Garlic helps lower cholesterol. All of them contain antimicrobial properties. In addition, they can slow or retard cancer growth.

Berries – Raspberries, strawberries and blueberries are just a few of these fruits that contain lots of antioxidant substances. Antioxidants can increase your resistance to disease as they help your body fight back. Consume as many antioxidants as you can naturally. These and other fruits contain phenols, which help boost the immune system.

Legumes and Nuts

This group includes beans, lentils and peanuts. Legumes are rich in protein and low in fat. Beans are also high in fiber which flushes fat out of your system as it passes. Fiber also prevents constipation and helps your digestive system to function properly. Nuts contain protein and fat. Healthy fats and oils in nuts are crucial for your body’s cells.

While no one can predict cancer in any one person, you can reduce your risk significantly with a healthy diet. As a cancer survivor, I’ll be the first to tell you, that if you do wind up with cancer, don’t take it to mean a death sentence. With proper cancer fighting nutrition, and appropriate medical attention, it is quite possible to survive. However, an ounce of prevention is as they say, worth a pound of cure. Take care of your body, and it will reward you.

For more reading on cancer, be sure to check out our other articles,
Avoid Prostate Cancer by Preventative Measures, Bowel Cancer, Tips on Ensuring the Best Breast Health, and 5 of the Healthiest Fruits and Vegetables.