Did you know that what you eat could determine whether or not you get cancer? Your diet could protect you from being one of the unlucky one in three people who are affected by cancer at some point in their lives.
Brussels Sprouts
The humble brussels sprout has been found to protect against cancer of the colon, stomach and bladder.
According to research published in various medical journals, such as the International Journal of Cancer, eating brussels sprouts several times a week can protect you. Brussels sprouts have reduced cancer cells in animals by up to 52 percent in the colon and up to 67 percent in the liver. They also shrunk the size of the tumors by up to 91 percent.
How Can Brussels Sprouts Kill Cancer?
Sprouts contain something called an indole, or aromatic heterocyclic organic compound. These stimulate the liver to break down hormones in the body and speed up elimination of waste products. This means that as well as making your bowel work more efficiently, horomone-dependent cancers do not have time to develop.
If you want to try brussels sprouts as a protective measure, it’s important not to boil or microwave them, as this kills off most of the vitamins and protective value. Steam them or stir fry them for the best results.
Regular Intake Of Fruit, Vegetables, Poultry And Fish Could Prevent Cancer!
Research in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that plenty of fruit, vegetables, poultry and fish appeared to have a protective effect against cancer. 1,009 colon cancer patients were studied. Five years later they were reviewed and it was found that 324 patients had a recurrence of cancer and all of them died except for one. An additonal 28 patients died without documented cancer recurrence. The study identified two major dietary patterns, one consisting of high intakes of meat, fat, desserts and refined foods and the other consisting of high intakes of fruit, vegetables, poultry and fish.
Those that ate more fruit and vegetables had higher survival rates and those on fatty Western diets had higher death rates and more recurrences of disease.
Sources: JAMA. 2007;298:754-764
Wh.foods.org
‘Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal’, page 69, published by the Reader's Digest.
Joanna is a freelance health writer for The Mother magazine and Suite 101 with a column on infertility, http://infertility.suite101.com/
She is author of the book, 'Breast Milk: A Natural Immunisation' and co-author of an educational resource on disabled parenting, in addition to running a charity for people damaged by vaccines or medical mistakes.