Today's food as medicine is actually a beverage, green tea. There is a phytochemical known as EGCG. ECEG which stands for epigallocatechin gallate, in green tea. It has been shown to have some anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, it may have some heart health benefits. It is also believed green tea's antioxidant quality may protect the skin from sun damage. Nature does have many ways to protect us and green tea is definitely one of those ways.
Continuing the series about foods as medicine, we reach number 7. Number 7 is garlic and other allium family members. Those family members include garlic, onions, leeks, shallots and scallions. According to the American Institute for Cancer Reasearch, research shows probable evidence the foods listed above reduce the risk of developing common cancers. I believe that is enough to make sure at least some of these foods are included in your diet on a regular basis.
Continuing with the medicinal values of foods, we go to broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables. These vegetables contain several phytonutrients that research suggests have a variety of positive effects on human health, including reducing chronic inflammation and cancer risk. Both chronic inflammation and cancer issues we all wish to avoid. And remember, even if you don't like broccoli, cabbage, etc, you don't have to just eat them. You can sneak them into casseroles, soups, etc. Give it a try, your body will probably thank you.
In the 4th Century, Hippocrates authored this famous oath, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be they food". Today, in the 21st Century, the MAHA movement is turning our attention back to what we eat, how it affects our health, overuse of medications, etc. Over the next few days, my posts will discuss foods with the most promising disease-busting benefits. This will be about the foods that should definitely be a part of your diet. These foods will be discussed in alphabetical order, not in any order of one being more important than another. The information was compiled by Carrie Dennett, MPH, RDN. We will start today with BERRIES.
Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are a rich source of numerous phytochemicals that research suggests have a variety of positive effects on human health, including reducing chronic inflammation and cancer risk. Eat your berries!
Quick Facts:
If you or someone you know receives a lung cancer diagnosis, please know it may not be caused by smoking. Sometimes people think someone with lung cancer should have known better than to smoke cigarettes, etc., but that may not be the reason for the cancer. Yes, smoking may be the cause but there are several other causes to be considered. Lung cancer can be caused by exposure to radon gas, secondhand smoke and other chemicals. Unfortunately, some just have a higher risk for cancer due to heredity. A higher risk for cancer can be passed down from a family member. There are several articles on this blog about cancer causes, treatments, diet for someone with cancer, etc. If you or someone you know, has been diagnosed, type cancer in the search bar for other posts.
I know many get tired of hearing about dark leafy greens. Having said that, here I go again on benefits of eating dark leafy greens. According to an article, last year I believe, in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating dark leafy greens may reduce bowel cancer risk. Researchers say these greens are high in folate, which is crucial for the repair of damaged DNA and to optimize immunity. Both of those factors contribute to a reduced risk of cancer. The researchers suggest 400 mcg, of folate daily. Some foods to eat are spinach, broccoli, kale, etc. Below is a good group of foods to choose from.
NOTE: This is general information and may not work in specific situations. First and foremost, follow your doctor's advice. But do your best to stay nourished properly!
Asparagus is a great natural anti-inflammatory. Since inflammation in the body is known to contribute to many illnesses and is thought by the medical community to contribute to the proliferation of cancer, asparagus should be on all our list of foods we eat! This is one of the vegetables we need to get our children to start eating as young as possible.
The compound allicin, found in onions and garlic, is what accounts for their pungent smell. It also provides a cancer-protecting punch and is believed to inhibit the growth of tumors. It appears to be especially effective in fighting colon cancer. Allicin is a strong antibacterial and antiviral compound and it appears in research to keep carcinogens from affecting healthy colon cells. Be sure to include these two foods in your diet and include them often if you have a family history of colon cancer or have had it yourself!
Continuing on the list of healthiest fruits, we are now at number fourteen. Apricots, a fruit I have never enjoyed raw but love in jams, etc., is number 14. That's all I have to say about them so we will go to the quote from the health journal.
"Apricots may be small, but they are mighty. Loaded with important nutrients (vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium), they are also an excellent source of beta-carotene, a carotenoid that possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Research reveals that high blood levels of beta-carotene may confer some protection against health conditions such as colorectal cancer."
Continuing with the fifteen healthiest fruits, we have reached number 9, cherries. I have never thought I was big on fruits until I started these posts. As I write about each of these fruits, I find myself thinking, "That's one of my favorites" As I add cherries to my list of favorites, I am coming to realize I enjoy fruits much more than I realized. Having said that, I will quote the health journal on cherries, another one of my favorites.
"Cherries come in a wide variety of sweet and tart versions, and all of them are packed with health-protective substances. This stone fruit contains powerful polyphenols such as anthocyanins, catechin, and epicatechin, and it's known for its antioxidant properties, too. Because cherries are high in anti-inflammatory compounds, research suggests that consuming them may reduce your risk for several inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, heart disease, and certain cancers. Cherries are also a solid source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium."
Yes, I know this post has nothing to do with the kitchen and/or food, but it is always timely advice. I lost a friend last year to skin cancer and have another friend who has been in a real battle for months fighting this deadly disease. The thing is skin cancer can so easily be prevented by taking precautions when in the sun. I have never had skin cancer, thank God, but I have survived both breast and colon cancers and currently have an incurable type of leukemia. I strongly encourage you to do everything you can to prevent cancer of any type.
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"Cancer patients who are well fed during treatment enhance their quality of life and improve their chances for recovery." Keith I. Block, MD
Integrative oncologist Donald Abrams, director of clinical programs for the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, tells his patients by way of analogy that when it comes to cancer, you need to be a bad host! "I tell them that cancer is a weed, you are the garden, and our job is to make your soil as inhospitable as possible to further growth and spread of the weed. The first approach I take is through diet and nutrition."
Many doctors, especially cancer specialists, discourage the practice of cooking in aluminum or nonstick coated cookware. They recommend cast iron and stainless steel. Something to keep in mind when purchasing new pots and pans.
"Cancer is a consequence of the complex interplay of genes and environment on the immune system, and diet, as part of the environment, plays a role that can influence cancer's development and treatment." Gerry Mullin, MD, Contributing Editor to Nutrition in Clinical Practice.
I have to say that with all my nutritional/medical research I had never heard of the nutrient apigenin. That is until a read about a lab study done at Ohio State University in 2012 or 13, I believe. The study found that this nutrient which is found in peppermint, parsley, oranges, etc may have cancer-fighting superpowers. The study found that apigenin triggered cancer cells to kill themselves off. Interesting and might make it worth your while to add more oranges, peppermint, or parsley to your diet.
