About
The prevention
of cancer has been the subject of many ongoing and completed research studies
all over the world. It has been now well-established that positive dietary and lifestyle changes can help fight cancer as well as prevent the growth of this dreaded
disease.
But can a vegan
diet actually prevent cancer? There have been numerous studies now that support
this claim and show that a plant-based diet is better than a meat-based diet in
preventing and fighting cancer. There are many health benefits of a vegan diet and one of it appears to be cancer prevention. In fact recent studies
have shown that a vegan diet is even more beneficial than a vegetarian diet in
cancer prevention. A vegan diet consists only of plant-based foods such
as vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains. The difference between a vegan and
vegetarian diet is that a vegan diet does not include any foods that come from
animals, including dairy products such as milk, butter and yogurt.
Eat more Fruits and Vegetables
What are some of
essential components of a vegan diet to help fight cancer? To begin with raw or
cooked vegetables are a must for such a diet. Vegetables such as carrots,
butternut squash, pumpkin, spinach, broccoli and sweet potatoes are all
excellent sources of beta-carotene. This is a substance that offers many health
benefits and has been shown to help fight cancer. It helps by strengthening the
immune system and by inhibiting the growth of cancerous cells. Mango, papaya and pink grapefruit are also
excellent sources of beta-carotene. In addition, tomatoes should be an integral
part of a vegan diet. The lycopene found in tomatoes helps with the absorption
of beta carotene.
Consuming
vitamin C is also essential for a vegan diet for cancer prevention. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits such as
tangerine, oranges and grapefruits and in gooseberry, peppers and many more
fruits and vegetables. It helps by fighting the nitrites in foods that are
carcinogens and by strengthening the immune system.
Cruciferous
vegetables are regarded as some of the ‘most potent’ foods that fight cancer.
Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale and mustard
greens are from the cruciferous family of vegetables. Including beta-carotene,
lutein, zeaxanthin and glucosinolates – substances that have been shown to have
cancer fighting properties.
Veganism and
cancer prevention means making a daily habit of eating raw fruits and
vegetables. Phenols, flavones and other substances found in fruits and
vegetables are cancer-fighting
substances. For treating cancer diet changes are a must and fresh fruits
and vegetables can provide much-needed relief to the body by fighting cancerous
cells.
Eat more Fiber
It is now a
well-known fact that fiber consumption helps in maintaining good health. But
fiber in cancer patients’ diet can do wonders for them. Eating fiber can
especially prevent cancers of the colon and abdomen. Fiber helps move
digested matter and waste material through the digestive track with much ease.
The fast elimination of all waste products including carcinogens protects the
intestinal walls from coming in prolonged contact with cancer-producing
substances. The faster elimination of waste material also prevents food decay
in the intestines that can produce substances that cause cancer.
For a cancer
vegan diet with high fiber eat more whole grains, wheat bran, beans, legumes,
apples, broccoli and other vegetables. For cancer diets it is recommended to
eat at least 20 to 25 gm of fiber every day.
Eat less Fat/Right Fat
It is
recommended that the total fat intake be kept below 50 gm per day for most
adults. In order to be considered healthy the 50 gm of fat consumed needs to be
the right type of fat. Vegetable fat sources high in monounsaturated fats
such as olive oil and canola oil and oils high in Omega-3 fatty acids are the
right types of oils for a vegan diet for cancer prevention. Sesame seeds,
walnuts, sunflower seeds and flaxseed are good plant-based sources of Omega-3
fatty acids. To protect the cancer-fighting properties of these oils, it is
best to keep their use to cooking but to avoid high temperatures such as
achieved in deep frying of foods.
Eat more Soy
Soy products are
a big part of any vegan diet. They are a healthy source of protein that can completely
replace animal protein sources in a diet. Rich in isoflavones, soy protects against many tumors and cancers of the
rectum, colon, prostate, lung and breast. One serving of tofu, soybeans or soy
milk every day as part of a vegan diet can also help in fighting cancer.
A
vegan diet consisting of all of the foods above can be a potent weapon in
fighting and preventing many types of cancer. But this alone is not enough to
fight cancer. Many lifestyle changes are also required such as being active,
avoiding of alcohol and smoking, adequate vitamin D from sunlight and a
positive outlook. It is also best to always consult your doctor before making
any diet and lifestyle changes to fight cancer.