APR – 15: CONSUMER TIPS
Dietary tips to help fight cancer
Natural, effective and painless remedies are a boon when it comes to tackling cancer. Here are a few anti-cancer super foods:
• Green Tea: Green tea is rich in polyphenols, responsible for reducing the growth of new blood vessels needed for tumour growth. It is also a powerful antioxidant that activates liver mechanisms, which helps in the elimination of cancerous toxins more rapidly.
• Turmeric: Turmeric enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy and reduces tumour growth, going by laboratory tests. For better absorption in the body, turmeric should be mixed with black pepper and dissolved in oil before consumption.
• Garlic, green garlic, onions and chives: All of them regulate blood sugar in the body to moderate levels and hence, promote the death of cancer cells in colon, breast, lung and prostate.
• Mushrooms: Shiitake, crimini, portobello and oyster mushrooms stimulate the reproduction and activity of immune cells. They are often used in Japan as a complement to chemotherapy to support the immune system.
• Carotenoid-rich fruits: Carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, apricots and beets contain vitamin A and lycopene, which possess the proven capacity to slow down the growth of particularly aggressive cancers.
• Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil and mint are rich in essential oils of the terpene family, which reduce the spread of cancer cells by blocking the enzymes they need to invade neighbouring tissues.
• Citrus fruits: Oranges, tangerines, lemons and grapefruit help reduce tumour inflammation.
• To prevent cancer: Vegetables of the mustard family namely cabbages, sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower contain powerful anti-cancer molecules. However, boiling will destroy them — steam briefly or stir-fry rapidly in a little olive oil.
Sources: www.dailymail.uk; Journal of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Research
