More and more cancer patients today are seeking natural remedies as the traditional medical treatment often kills faster than the cancer itself.  To avoid having to make treatment choices, let’s look to prevention first.   Whether you vow to be healthier in 2012, or whether you have seen a loved one struggle with cancer, the following tips will help you prevent this deadly disease with a healthier lifestyle. 

Plant Foods (limited meat and dairy, MORE fruits & vegetables)

Plants have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help our bodies deal with pollution, chemicals, radiation, etc.  Plant foods also assist the immune system to fight the abnormal cells.

Cruciferous vegetables are your best friend in cancer prevention.

Green leafy vegetables as well as brocolli, cauliflower, bok choy, and cabbage are included in this yummy family.

Garlic and onions, oh my!  

Both linked to reduction of some cancers.  Garlic stops cancer from growing and boosts your immune system!  Prepare garlic and onions during the last few minutes of cooking to retain the active ingredients OR use raw in salad dressing, dips, or sauces.

Cooked Tomatoes

Cooking tomatoes allow the body to absorb lycopene which has anti-cancer action. This little friend is also found in “pink grapefruit, watermelon, and guava.” Choose fresh organic tomatoes or those found in a jar.  Since tomatoes are acidic, they will eat away at the lining in cans which may cause health issues. Stay away from canned tomatoes!

Shiitake, Maitake, Reishi

We are still speaking English here.  These are mushroom power houses with amazing health benefits including anti-cancer properties. Try to replace your button mushrooms with one of these to spice up your immunity. 

Flavonoids have anti-cancer effects.

Find them in red/purple/blue fruits like “red grapes, cranberries, blueberries, and pomegranates.”

Weeds – Bring weeds into your plant family too!

Dandelion and stinging nettle are two herbs that have amazing health benefits.  They can be prepared as food or as a tea.  Essiac is an herb blend that has been known to kill cancer cells in clinical studies. 

Green tea – do you need to be reminded again? 

Black, green and red teas have been linked with a reduced risk of “gastrointestinal, pancreatic, bladder, prostate, ovarian, uterine, and breast cancer.”  In lab tests, green tea “inhibits cancer cell formation, proliferation, invasiveness, and metastatis and provokes cancer cell death.”  Need we say more? Drink your green tea!  3 cups daily.

Tumeric has amazing anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties as well as polyphenol cancer fighting properties. 

Throw some turmeric in that next warm meal or put a teaspoon in your smoothie.  Curried vegetables often have lots of turmeric so eat up!

Milk thistle falls into this polyphenol category as well. 

Grind it fresh and sprinkle on food or put in your smoothie.  This also just may be the best liver herb to boot!

Eating right is VERY important to good health.  There are other factors however that are worthy of mention: getting enough sleep, regular exercise, managing stress, emotional well-being, avoiding cigarette smoke, and regular cancer screening tests.  Be well in 2012 and for all your living years! 

Material sourced from The Herb Companion. Read more here:  Source