Anti Cancer Diet/Foods/Recipes

[gertbysea]

Following a recent discussion with some friends I am interested in starting a thread relating to Cancer fighting foods, recipes etc, I know there are a few of us here who have had our own battle with Cancer and there must be  wealth of knowledge from so many members.

There have been many books written on the subject with some being practical and helpful while others being of the planet loony tune.  I always think  local knowledge is best. There may be some ideas regarding eating while undergoing radiation or chemo therapy as well as just plain everyday health eating after a diagnosis.


Any ideas? 

I may say that while I was undergoing Radiation therapy I had a strong aversion to coffee. The  smell of it made me nauseous and it took me several years to get back to drinking the odd cup after being a coffee lover. I have often wondered if it was a natural crazy preventative!!

In any case I do drink coffee sometimes just to justify the cost of the damn expensive  coffee machine but my new found love of tea (thank you Hally) makes me feel better.

Gert

[judydawn]

Good idea Gert, sorry (well, not really) that I have nothing to contribute here but I'm sure there are plenty that do.

[Cuilidh]

This is a really good idea, Gert, thank you for thinking of it. I am sure there will be a great many posts on this thread as time goes by.

[cookie1]

Well thought of Gert. It will be a nice sharing point as well.
I was a lucky Cookie as my melanoma's were found early and I didn't need chemo or anything. Hence nothing to contribute really.
Only be positive.

[Halex]

Gert, your welcome, gotta love T2

I think its a great idea. When I was cooking for my friend I remeber brocoli was really good

[gertbysea]

Found this.

By Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, M.D., Ph.D.
Michael Pollan's recent little gem of a book "Food Rules" inspired me to compile my own "rules" about what I'd like every person to know about how they can help avoid cancer - or slow it down if they have it.

FOOD RULES

1. Go retro: Your main course should be 80 percent vegetables, 20 percent animal protein, like it was in the old days. Opt for the opposite of the quarter pounder topped with a token leaf of iceberg lettuce and an anemic tomato slice. Meat should be used sparingly for taste, as when it used to be scarce, and should not be the focus of the meal.

2. Mix and match your vegetables: Vary the vegetables you eat from one meal to the next, or mix them together -- broccoli is an effective anticancer food, and is even more effective when combined with tomato sauce, onions or garlic. Get in the habit of adding onions, garlic or leeks to all your dishes as you cook.

3. Go organic: Choose organic foods whenever possible, but remember it's always better to eat broccoli that's been exposed to pesticide than to not eat broccoli at all (the same applies to any other anticancer vegetable).

4. Spice it up: Add turmeric (with black pepper) when cooking (delicious in salad dressings!). This yellow spice is the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory agent. Remember to add Mediterranean herbs to your food: thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, marjoram, mint, etc. They don't just add flavor, they can also help reduce the growth of cancer cells.

5. Skip the potato: Potatoes raise blood sugar, which can feed inflammation and cancer growth. They also contain high levels of pesticide residue (to the point that most potato farmers I know don't eat their own grown potatoes).

6. Go fish: Eat fish two or three times a week - sardines, mackerel, and anchovies have less mercury and PCBs than bigger fish like tuna. Avoid swordfish and shark, which the FDA says pregnant women should not eat because they contain a high concentration of contaminants.

7. Remember not all eggs are created equal: Choose only omega-3 eggs, or don't eat the yolks. Hens are now fed on mostly corn and soybeans, and their eggs contain 20 times more pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids than cell-growth regulating omega-3s.

8. Change your oil: Use only olive and canola oil in cooking and salad dressings. Go through your kitchen cabinets and throw out your soybean, corn and sunflower oils. (And no, you can't give them to your neighbors or your relatives... They're much too rich in omega-6 fatty acids!)

9. Say "Brown is beautiful": Eat your grains whole and mixed (wheat with oats, barley, spelt, flax, etc.) and favor organic whole grains when possible since pesticides tend to accumulate on whole grains. Avoid refined, white flour (used in bagels, muffins, sandwich bread, buns, etc.) whenever possible, and eat white pasta only al dente.

10. Keep sweets down to fruits: Cut down on sugar by avoiding sweetened sodas and fruit juices, and skipping dessert or replacing it with fruit (especially stone fruits and berries) after most meals. Read the labels carefully, and steer clear of products that list any type of sugar (including brown sugar, corn syrup, etc.) in the first three ingredients. If you have an incorrigible sweet tooth, try a few squares of dark chocolate containing more than 70% cocoa.

11. Go green: Instead of coffee or black tea, drink three cups of green tea per day. Use decaffeinated green tea if it gets you too wired. Regular consumption of green tea has been linked to a significant reduction in the risk for developing cancer.

12. Make room for exceptions. What matters is what you do on a daily basis, not the occasional treat.

NON-FOOD RULES

1. Get physical: Make time to exercise, be it walking, dancing or running. Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days a week. This can be as easy as just walking part of the way to the office, or the grocery store. A dog is often a better walking partner than an exercise buddy. Choose an activity you enjoy; if you're having fun, you're more likely to stick with it.

2. Let the sun shine in: Try to get at least 20 minutes of daily sun exposure (torso, arms and legs) without sunscreen, preferably at noon in the summer (but take care to avoid sunburns!). This will boost your body's natural production of Vitamin D. As an alternative: discuss the option of taking a Vitamin D3 supplement with your doctor.

3. Banish bad chemicals: Avoid exposure to common household contaminants. You should air our your dry-cleaning for two hours before storing or wearing it; use organic cleaning products (or wear gloves); don't heat liquids or food in hard plastics; avoid cosmetics with parabens and phthalates; don't use chemical pesticides in your house or garden; replace your scratched Teflon pans; filter your tap water (or used bottled water) if you live in a contaminated area; don't keep your cell phone close to you when it is turned on.

4. Reach out (and touch someone!): Reach out to at least two friends for support (logistical and emotional) during times of stress, even if it's through the internet. But if they're within arms reach, go ahead and hug them, often!

5. Remember to breathe: Learn a basic breathing relaxation technique to let out some steam whenever you start to feel stressed.

6. Get involved: Find out how you can best give something back to your local community, then give it.

7. Cultivate happiness like a garden: Make sure you do one thing you love for yourself on most days (it doesn't have to take long!).

 

[Emme]

Found this article interesting and was given Isabell's book some time ago. She lives in Nambour, Queensland.   I do know of one person who did benefit by using this herb.

[gertbysea]

Here is more on the geranium Robert http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geranium_robertianum


Apparently common in England. I think I would have to get over the smell but Emme it is good for nosebleeds!


Gert

[Itsnotartitsdinner]

What a wonderful resource you are creating Gert. I love the points above. When FIL was going through his treatment he heard lots good about Brazil nuts. He is cancer free now but continues to include them in his diet.

[Halex]

Brazil nuts are good for men for prostrate cancer prevention, dh has 2 per day.

[Bedlam]

Gert, you are amazing. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowlege. X

[Emme]

Here is more on the geranium Robert http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geranium_robertianum


Apparently common in England. I think I would have to get over the smell but Emme it is good for nosebleeds!


Gert

Never thought to try it for nose bleeds Gert  LOL.  Will do if they come back.
Re smell, yes the smell is worse later in the day not so bad first thing of a morning and taste wise not too bad.

[droverjess]

All looks very interesting. There is so much about food and health that we don't know.
Thanks Gert  

[BeezeeBee]

In today's news - Cancer overtakes heart disease as biggest killer in Australia: World Health Organisation

Interesting points:
The co-author of the WHO World Cancer Report, Bernard Stewart, said the main message was that cancer is a “largely preventable disease”.

Cancer Council Australia's Terry Slevin said the report indicated that, in 2012, between 2.4 million and 3.7 million deaths worldwide were preventable.

He pointed to a comment from the director-general of the WHO, Margaret Chan, who said cancers were coming from two “vastly different worlds”.

“Those associated with the world of poverty, including infection-related cancers, are still common, while those associated with the world of plenty are increasingly prevalent, owing to the adoption of industrialised lifestyles, with increasing use of tobacco, consumption of alcohol and highly processed foods, and lack of physical activity,” she wrote in the World Cancer Report.



http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/cancer-overtakes-heart-disease-as-biggest-killer-in-australia-world-health-organisation-20140204-31yob.html

[courton]

Great resource Gert and well done for putting this topic on the Forum.