October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the diet of most Americans is the exact opposite of what an anticancer diet should be. Here are three promising cancer fighting foods:
- Green Tea – rich in polyphenols, which include catechins – this compound reduces the growth of new bloodvessels that feed tumors. EGCG a catechin, is found in higher quantities in Japanese green tea. Green tea, green tea extracts have been used to prevent and treat a variety of cancers such as breast, stomach and skin cancers. Green tea is also great for improving mental alertness, aiding in weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels and protecting skin from sun damage. If you are sensitive to caffeine, get decaf green tea, it is still rich in polyphenols. Steep green tea for 5 to 8 minutes and drink within an hour of brewing. People on anti-coagulant drugs should avoid excessive intake of green tea, since it does contain a small amount of Vitamin K.
- Pomegranate Juice – drinking this juice daily slows the spread of prostate cancer. This juice is rich inantioxidants, tannins, potassium and has many anti-inflammatory properties. Preliminary health studies have shown pomegranate juice to be effective in reducing LDL oxidation and high blood pressure. Polyphenols are a type of antioxidants that are found in Pomegranate juice, antioxidants help protect you from free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that cause damage to your cells and its DNA.
- Turmeric – this Indian spice has been proven to be a natural anti-inflammatory agent. It has been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to help with digestion, liver function and regulate menstruation. Great in combination with chemotherapy, it enhances its effectiveness, while inhibiting tumor growth. Get the ground turmeric by itself and mix in with your next vegetable dish or soup. If you have cancer, use a tablespoon per day. Turmeric can be made into a paste and applied topically for eczema and wound healing.