Natural Cancer Fighters

Nearly 12 million people living in the United States today were diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives; some are undergoing active treatment and others are living cancer free. Most of us know at least one person with cancer, I know I do. All over the world people are affected. For example according to the latest WHO data published in April 2011 Breast Cancer Deaths in Grenada reached 11 or 2.22% of total deaths. The age adjusted Death Rate is 23.30 per 100,000 of population ranks Grenada #23 in the world. In Jamaica, the local cancer registry which records all cancers diagnosed in the Kingston and St Andrew area reports that the age-standardized Prostate Cancer incidence for the period 2003-2007 was 78. 1/100 000/ year making it by far the leading cancer affecting men in Jamaica .Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells. There is so much I can say about cancer ,but one thing The National Cancer Institute estimates that roughly one-third of all cancer deaths may be diet related.

 For example:

Grapes:
Studies have shown they may keep cancer cells from growing and inhibit tumors, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. A plant chemical called resveratrol, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, hides in grape skins – especially purple and red ones.  

Tomatoes :
Tomatoes get their bright red color from an antioxidant called lycopene, which can protect cells from damage and kill those that aren’t growing properly, Doyle says. They also may protect skin from cancer “by absorbing UV light,” says Wilhelm Stahl, Ph.D., professor and antioxidant researcher at the University of Dusseldorf in Germany.

For stomach, mouth, breast skin Broccoli ,Kale and cabbage may help fight cancer. They  contain sulforaphane, which may keep cancer at bay by helping rid the body of carcinogens and inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Garlic:
 Garlic contains unique antioxidant phytochemicals called allyl sulfides that “seem to intervene in several steps of the cancer process .

Tea:
Tea is full of antioxidants called catechins, which lab studies have found may stop growth of cancer cells and reduce the size of cancerous tumors. May help for breast, lung, skin and bladder cancers.

Flax seed:
Flax seed contains an antioxidant called lignans, which may help the body rid itself of carcinogens, and
omega-3 fatty acids,  believed to reduce inflammation and boost the body’s immune system.

Turmeric:
Turmeric contains the powerful polyphenol Curcumin that has been clinically proven to retard the growth of cancer cells causing prostrate cancer, melanoma , breast cancer, brain tumour, pancreatic cancer and leukemia amongst a host of others. 

Cinnamon:
A half teaspoon of cinnamon powder every day is all you need to keep cancer risk away. A natural food preservative, cinnamon is a source of iron and calcium. Useful in reducing tumour growth, it blocks the formation of new vessels in the human body. 

Refrence: www.lifescript.com, www.webmd.com, The Times of India

Below are foods have the ability to help stave off cancer and some can even help inhibit cancer cell growth or reduce tumor size. Please do your own research on these and other natural cancer  fighters.