5 Foods That Fight Cancer

I’ve previously shared the horrifying response I received from our son’s Oncologist when asked about what foods our son should or shouldn’t eat during his 3.5 year cancer battle…

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” he smirked, “A calorie, is a calorie, is a calorie. We just don’t want him to lose weight. Feed him whatever he feels like. If he wants French fries or a cupcake from the cafeteria, let him have it.”

And let me just go ahead and say this again too…I AM truly thankful for our conventional medicine team. I do believe that they played a crucial role in my son’s healing!

However, it was at that moment, only days into my son’s cancer diagnosis, that I recognized the essential role that I would have to play in Kicker’s healing journey.

I quickly understood that medical schools are funded by the pharmaceutical industry. Thus, the educational emphasis is on treating medicine with drugs…and although that can be helpful and often life-saving…how dare we not consider the importance of fueling our body with nutrients that will FIGHT cancer and avoiding the nutrients that FEED cancer.

In fact, did you know that a person can change their genetic expression through diet?

Yes…not only can a person actually have quite a bit of control over their health, but the emerging science about epigenetics is proving that they have the ability to control more of their health than they have previously realized.

According to Rod Dashwood, Professor of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology and the head of LPI’s Cancer Chemo Protection Program, stated:

“We believe that many diseases that have aberrant gene expression at their root can be linked to how DNA is packaged, and the actions of enzymes such as histone deacetylases, or HDACs. As recently as 10 years ago we knew almost nothing about HDAC dysregulation in cancer or other diseases, but it’s now one of the most promising areas of health-related research.”

Now, to explain this a bit further, it is important to understand that everyone has cancer suppressing genes in their body that stop cancer cells from progressing.

However, there are certain foods that can be consumed which will help activate and reveal these genes. For example, if a person eats onions, garlic and cruciferous vegetables on a regular basis, they will provide the body with the tools to proactively fight cancer.

To paint an even clearer picture, here’s some stats that may surprise you…

1. 40% or more of cancer patients die from malnutrition.

Chemotherapy and radiation are cytotoxic poisons. This means that they destroy everything in their path, and they do not have the ability to be selective in what they destroy. In fact, both chemo and radiation induce lean tissue loss, also known as cachexia.

The good news is that we can use specific nutrients to help limit the destruction of chemo and radiation by protecting our healthy cells. In fact, in 2014 there was a paper published in the journal of Cancer and Metabolism entitled, Metabolic Reprogramming Induced by Ketone Bodies Diminishes Pancreatic Cancer Cachexia. This study found that when fat was increased in the diet, there was an immediate improvement in preserving muscle mass.

2. 80% of the immune system resides in the gut.

Our immune system plays a crucial role in the fight against cancer. Recognizing this allows us to be intentional about what foods we are eating to contribute to the health of our immune system.

Here are 5 specific foods to fight cancer:

1. Bone Broth

Because the majority of the immune system is located in the gut, it’s important to consume foods that positively contribute to it’s integrity. With bone broth, the gelatinous properties that naturally occur in the bones are drawn out in the cooking process. These nutrients increase the integrity of the immune system. If interested, here’s my recipe.

2. Dark Leafy Greens

Dark leafy greens are full of specific nutrients that can inhibit the growth of cancer. (i.e. carotenoids, folate, chlorophyll and fiber) They are also a natural source of glucosinolates, which helps the body to fight cancer by reprogramming cancer cells. Finally, studies have shown that they contain antibacterial and antiviral properties.

3. Omega 3 Fats

Having a higher intake of Omega 3 fats has been associated with a 40% reduced risk of certain cancers. Most cancer cells use sugar as fuel, not fat. Therefore, consuming more fat will help to reduce inflammation and allow the body to starve and fight the cancer cells. Some foods that have a healthy ratio of Omega 3 fatty acids include: organic coconut oil, flax seeds, chia seeds, wild caught seafood and pasture raised eggs and butter.

4. Organic Spices

One antioxidant will neutralize one free radical, and free radicals are cancer causing atoms. Therefore, by increasing the number of antioxidants in the diet, a person can get rid of the free radicals. Some examples include: turmeric, ginger, rosemary and curry, which are also know to boost the immune system due to their high antioxidant content.

5. Organic Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are a great source of both macronutrients and micronutrients, including: vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, flavonoids and fiber. Plus, they are a great snack to enjoy that not only provide beneficial nutrients, but to also satiate the palate.

If interested, here’s a few additional studies…

These discuss the incredible effects of nutrition and following a Ketogenic style diet to fight cancer:

Ketogenic Diets as an Adjuvant Cancer Therapy: History and Potential Mechanism. Bryan Allen, Sudershan Bhatia, Carryn Anderson, Julie Eichenberger-Gilmore.

Summary: The ketogenic diet is a sage and complimentary treatment that can exploit the differences between cancer and normal cells.

A Pilot Study: 10 Patients with Advanced Cancer on a Ketogenic Diet for 4 weeks. Eugene Fine, CJ. Segal- Isaacson, Rucgard Feinman, Silvia Herszkopf.

Summary: Higher levels of ketones correlated with stable disease or partial remission

These reveal how sugar feeds cancer:

Biology of Glucose Metabolization in Cancer Cells. Journal of Oncological Sciences. Vol. 3, Issue 2.

Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate Couples Glycolytic Flux to Activation of Ras. Nature Communications.

Study links high sugar intake to increased risk of breast cancer. Honor Whiteman.

 

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