Cancer Fighting Foods

Increase your chances of living a simple, healthy life by consuming a variety of these cancer fighting foods. Each food has its own unique cancer fighting qualities.

As a general rule, eat plenty of plant-based foods that are deep or bright in color and enjoy all the colors of the rainbow.



Avocados

• Rich in glutathione: powerful antioxidant that attacks free radicals in the body
• Rich in potassium and are a strong source of beta-carotene

Broccoli, Cabbage, & Cauliflower

• Have a chemical component called indole-3-carbinol that can combat breast cancer
• Broccoli, especially sprouts, also have the phytochemical sulforaphane - a plant chemical that may reduce the risk of stomach, breast, colon, rectal, and skin cancer
• Contain two antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin that may help decrease prostate and other cancers

Carrots

• contain a lot of beta carotene, which may help reduce a wide range of cancers including lung, mouth, throat, stomach, intestine, bladder, prostate and breast
• Like most vegetables, it is important not to cook the carrots

Chili Peppers & Jalapenos

• contain a chemical, capsaicin, which may neutralize certain cancer-causing substances (nitrosamines) and may help prevent cancers such as stomach cancer

Figs

• Figs apparently have a derivative of benzaldehyde. It has been reported that investigators at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research in Tokyo say benzaldehyde is highly effective at shrinking tumors
• U.S. Department of Agriculture says figs, which contain vitamins A and C, and calcium, magnesium and potassium, may decrease appetite and improve weight-loss

Flax

• Contains lignans, which may have an antioxidant effect and block or suppress cancerous changes
• High in omega-3 fatty acids, which may protect against colon cancer and heart disease

Garlic is one of our favorite cancer fighting foods.

• Has immune-enhancing allium compounds (dialyl sultides) that appear to increase the activity of immune cells that fight cancer and indirectly help break down cancer causing substances
• Diallyl sulfide, a component of garlic oil, has also been shown to render carcinogens in the liver inactive
• Studies have linked garlic — as well as onions, leeks, and chives — to lower risk of stomach and colon cancer

Grapefruits, Oranges, Lemons & Other Citrus Fruits

• Contain monoterpenes, believed to help prevent cancer by sweeping carcinogens out of the body
• Grapefruit may inhibit the proliferation of breast-cancer cells in vitro
• They also contain vitamin C, beta-carotene, and folic acid

Grapes

• Bioflavonoids are powerful antioxidants that work as cancer preventives making grapes one of many excellent, cancer fighting foods
• Rich source of resveratrol, which inhibits the enzymes that can stimulate cancer-cell growth and suppress immune response
• Contain ellagic acid, a compound that blocks enzymes that are necessary for cancer cells - this appears to help slow the growth of tumors

Some research indicates that alcohol is considered a class "A" carcinogen which can actually cause cancer. You should probably switch to non-alcoholic wines if you insist on drinking "wine".

You can get all the benefits you need from all natural, cancer fighting foods. There is no reason good enough to start the habit of drinking alcohol.

Spinach

• Known as the highest standard of leafy green vegetables, spinach as well as kale are great cancer fighting foods
• Packed with lutein and vitamin E, both powerful antioxidants, spinach helps ward off cancer of the liver, ovaries, colon, and prostate

Licorice Root

• has a chemical, glycyrrhizin, that blocks a component of testosterone and therefore may help prevent the growth of prostate cancer
• Just keep in mind that excessive amounts can lead to elevated blood pressure

Mushrooms - Shiitake, Maitake, Reishi, Agaricus Blazei Murill, and Coriolus Versicolor.

• Contain polysaccharides, especially Lentinan, powerful compounds that help in building immunity
• Have a protein called Lectin, which attacks cancerous cells and prevents them from multiplying
• Extracts from mushrooms have been successfully tested in recent years in Japan as an adjunct to chemotherapy. PSK is made from the Coriolus Versicolor. Maitake mushroom extract is PCM4.

Nuts: Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans & Other Tree Nuts

• Contain the antioxidants quercetin and campferol that may suppress the growth of cancers.
• Brazil nut contains 80 micrograms of selenium, which is important for those with prostate cancer
• Rule of thumb: Really great tree nuts happen to look like little brains (Ex: walnuts and pecans). In case you don't know, peanuts are not tree nuts (plant nut) and do not have the same healthful qualities.

Papayas

• Have vitamin C that works as an antioxidant and may also reduce absorption of cancer-causing nitrosamines from the soil or processed foods
• Contain folacin (folic acid), which has been shown to minimize cervical dysplasia and certain cancers

Berries: Raspberries, Strawberries, Wild Blueberries, Blackberries

• Contain many vitamins, minerals, plant compounds and antioxidants known as anthocyanins that may protect against a variety of cancers including colon and esophageal

Rosemary

• may help increase the activity of detoxification enzymes
• Rosemary can be used as a seasoning. It can also be consumed as a tea: Use 1 tsp. dried leaves per cup of hot water; steep for 15 minutes. Sweeten with honey if desired.

Seaweed & Other Sea Vegetables

• contain beta-carotene, protein, vitamin B12, fiber, and chlorophyll, as well as chlorophylones - important fatty acids that may help in the fight against breast cancer
• Many sea vegetables also have high concentrations of the minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and iodine which make them increasingly popular among cancer fighting foods

Soy Products: Tofu, Soybeans, Soy Nuts, Soy Milk

• Isoflavones present in soybeans and other soy foods (such as tofu, soy nuts, and soy milk) help to reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancer by protecting cells from the harmful effects of estrogen.

Sweet potatoes, Pumpkin, Squash, Red & Yellow Peppers

• These tasty foods that fight cancer include beta-carotene, which may protect DNA in the cell nucleus from cancer-causing chemicals outside the nuclear membrane

Teas: Green Tea & Black Tea

• Contain certain antioxidants known as polyphenols (catechins) which appear to prevent cancer cells from dividing
• Green tea is best, followed by our more common black tea
• Olive Oil (Cold-pressed, extra virgin is best) also has polyphenols

Tomatoes

• Rich in lycopene, a plant chemical that has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate, ovarian, and cervical cancer.
• They also have vitamin C, an antioxidant which can prevent cellular damage that leads to cancer

Tumeric

• Member of the ginger family
• Believed to have medicinal properties because it inhibits production of the inflammation-related enzyme "cyclo-oxygenase 2" (COX-2). The levels of this enzyme are abnormally high in certain inflammatory diseases and cancers, especially bowel and colon cancer

As you can see, cancer fighting foods are quite common and easily found. Get the most out of your cancer prevention diet efforts by choosing organic produce or growing your own, eating them raw or lightly cooked, supplementing with quality, food-based vitamins & minerals.

Whole Food Diet

Natural Cancer Cures

Go to Foods To Avoid from Cancer Fighting Foods

Go to Simple Living from Cancer Fighting Foods