Healthy Tips

You might have a general idea that eating a vegetarian diet is more healthy for you. But do you really know how much less the incidence is of certain types of cancers among vegetarians?

Vegetarian diets-naturally low in saturated fat, high in fiber, and replete with cancer-protective phytochemicals-help to prevent cancer. Large studies in England and Germany have shown that vegetarians are about 40 percent less likely to develop cancer compared to meat-eaters.

In the U.S., studies of Seventh-Day Adventists, who are largely lacto-ovo vegetarians, have shown significant reductions in cancer risk among those who avoided meat. Similarly, breast cancer rates are dramatically lower in nations, such as China, that follow plant-based diets. Interestingly, Japanese women who follow Western-style, meat-based diets are eight times more likely to develop breast cancer than women who follow a more traditional plant-based diet. Meat and dairy products contribute to many forms of cancer, including cancer of the colon, breast, ovaries, and prostate.

Harvard studies that included tens of thousands of women and men have shown that regular meat consumption increases colon cancer risk by roughly 300 percent. High-fat diets also encourage the body’s production of estrogens. Increased levels of this sex hormone have been linked to breast cancer.

A recent report noted that the rate of breast cancer among pre-menopausal women who ate the most animal (but not vegetable) fat was one-third higher than that of women who ate the least animal fat. A separate study from Cambridge University also linked diets high in saturated fat to breast cancer.

One study linked dairy products to an increased risk of ovarian cancer. The process of breaking down the lactose (milk sugar) evidently damages the ovaries. Daily meat consumption triples the risk of prostate enlargement. Regular milk consumption doubles the risk and failure to consume vegetables regularly nearly quadruples the risk.

Vegetarians avoid the animal fat linked to cancer and get abundant fiber, vitamins, and phytochemicals that help to prevent cancer. In addition, blood analysis of vegetarians reveals a higher level of “natural killer cells,” specialized white blood cells that attack cancer cells.

When you eat a diet that’s higher in dietary fiber, that’s primarily if not totally vegetarian, you’re naturally healthier. You’re feeding your body and getting it the nutrition it needs to run efficiently.

You have more energy and stamina; you wake up more easily and more refreshed. It’s easier to exercise, because you’re not so weighed down by digesting the high fat and excessive protein that comes from eating a carnivorous diet.

Try eating vegetarian for a week or a month. See if you don’t feel different, more mentally acute and more physically fit and energized. At least reverse the portion sizes you’ve been eating, and make meat more of a side dish, if you can’t stop eating meat altogether. Even that change can make a big difference in your overall health and well-being.

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This article is presented with the sole purpose to inform the reader of the vegetarian (vegan) lifestyle and of dietary choices that the reader may wish to make.

Copyright © Anne-Marie Ronsen
Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Introduction

Over the course of the past three decades, a significant number of scientific studies have demonstrated that a person’s diet can work to prevent some types of cancer. One diet regimen that appears to have beneficial effects at preventing cancer is the Mediterranean diet plan.

If you are interested in developing health eating routines and want to engage a diet program that can work to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, you should take a look at the Mediterranean diet. In this regard, there are seven points that you should ponder when it comes to the impact of the Mediterranean diet on reducing the risk of cancer.

Seven Points to Ponder: The Mediterranean Diet and Cancer Risks

A Trans-European study undertaken by the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition demonstrated that people who closely adhere to Mediterranean dietary schemes were significantly less likely to succumb to cancer than were people who followed other diet programs. In fact, the study suggests that the mortality rate from cancer of men and women who follow the Mediterranean diet is an astonishing twenty-five percent less than the mortality rate of people who are involved in other dietary practices.

A significant number of people participated in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study. In fact, there were 22,000 people enrolled in the study in Greece alone.

While it is not conclusively demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet is effective at reducing the risks of all types of cancer, preliminary results of various research studies suggest that there may be no types of cancer that are left unaffected by this diet scheme. Indeed, historical evidence suggests that the incidents of all types of cancer in the Mediterranean Sea region is less than what is found in other areas around the world.

In order to enjoy the cancer reduction benefits of the Mediterranean diet, it is important that a person follow all of the dining regiments of the program. In other words, a person can not pick and choose the components of the Mediterranean diet that he or she might favor or enjoy. Rather, in order to obtain the full cancer reduction benefits of the Mediterranean diet, a person need to embrace all aspects of the regimen.

Statistics and research suggest that the longer a person follows the Mediterranean diet, the less of a risk of developing cancer such a person will face. In other words, the Mediterranean diet appears to have a cumulative effect on a person’s health.

While researchers believe that it is the combination of elements that comprise the Mediterranean diet that reduce the risk of cancer, the program is particularly helpful in reducing the risk of this disease because it is low in saturated fat, high in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and low in fatty, red meats.

Keep in mind that while diet is proven to impact the incidence of cancer, other healthy living practices are also important. In this regard, a person should exercise regularly. Additionally, if you are a smoker, you need to quit.

Conclusion

By understanding the interrelationship between diet and disease, a person can take steps that may effectively reduce his or her risk of cancer, heart disease and other serious ailments. The Mediterranean diet is proving itself an effective method of reducing the risks of a number of different diseases, including various types of cancer.

Garlic belongs to the Allium family of vegetables which also includes onions, chives, shallots and leeks. Current research has shown that a number of readily available foods such as garlic and onions that make up a healthy diet, actually have a major impact on cancer prevention. These cancer fighting foods seem to have the ability to interfere with the development of cancerous tumors. Cancer fighting foods all contain large amounts of certain phytochemicals. Phytochemicals were developed by nature to protect plants against damage caused by insects, disease and environmental stress. These phytochemical molecules are the ones that give fruits and vegetables their brilliant colors, provide the smell to garlic and the astringent taste to tea. It is very likely that these phytochemicals, not the vitamins and minerals, that are the source of the cancer prevention capabilities of these healthy foods.

Current research on the anti-cancer potential of the Allium family – particularly garlic – seems to show that these vegetables seem to reduce the incidence of cancers of the digestive system. Studies have also shown that garlic may also help prevent prostrate cancer. Garlic and onions contain allicin which is unstable and breaks down into a number of phytochemical compounds including diallyl sulfide and diallyl disulfide which appear to increase the ability of immune cells to fight cancer and also break down cancer causing toxic substances. These sulfur-based phytochemicals fight tumor development and are capable of neutralizing the effect of potential nitrite carcinogens which are used as preservatives in some foods. Studies have linked garlic, onions, leeks and chives to lower risk of cancers of the digestive system. The protective effect of garlic seems to be greater than that of onions, even though onion consumption has been shown to reduce the risk of stomach cancer. Most of the available research comes from epidemiologic observational studies comparing populations who do or do not consume garlic and onions. Other studies are based on animal trials and cell culture studies. The October 2000 issue of the American Journal of Nutrition had a summary of a number epidemiologic studies which showed that people who consumed cooked or raw garlic on a regular basis compared to those that ate little or none had about half the risk of stomach cancer and one-third less risk of colorectal cancer. These studies did not show that garlic supplements had the same benefits. It should be noted that these studies are not yet verified by clinical trials in human populations.

Our garlic consumption in North America is much less than many other areas of the world even though population areas where large quantities of garlic are consumed seem to have significantly fewer cancers of the digestive system. In the US, only 20% of the population eats more than 2 grams of garlic per week. Excessive garlic consumption can have adverse effects including bad breath, allergic reactions, stomach disorders and diarrhea. Freshly crushed garlic should be our choice as a source for the anti-cancer compounds we require.

Eating a healthy balanced diet can provide our bodies with many thousands of different phytochemicals. However not all fruits, vegetables and other plant products provide the best anti-cancer phytochemicals. The ten best groups of anti-cancer foods are discussed in our website www.benefits-of-antioxidants.com . They include: berries and citrus fruits, cruciferous vegetables, garlic and onions, green tea, omega-3 essential fatty acids, olive oil, tomatoes, soy products, red wine and dark chocolate.

Look at the ingredients in most commercially advertised sport drinks and vitamin waters, and you will quickly see they are far from being health drinks. If you are trying to stick to a diet high in alkaline foods, then these drinks are even more detrimental to your health.

Here are a few things to avoid the next time you are shopping for health drinks, especially for those on an alkaline food diet.

· High Fructose Corn Syrup – This is concentrated sugar that contributes to weight gain and abnormal blood sugar levels, which can also lead to diabetes. Excess sugars have no place in health drinks, and you certainly won’t find processed sugar in any alkaline foods.

· Phosphoric Acid is just what it says it is – acid. It is often defined as, “A clear colorless liquid used in fertilizers, detergents, pharmaceuticals and food flavoring, irritating to the skin and eyes and moderately toxic if ingested.” When your diet is supposed to be 80% alkaline foods and only 20% acid forming foods for proper pH balance, this really puts you upside down quickly.

· Artificial Flavors – Some experts call them, “Excito-toxins!” When artificial flavorings are in health drinks, they begin to resemble soft drinks and candy. These artificial substances interfere with your pH balance and force you to consume more alkaline foods to neutralize the acid from the toxins in your blood.

· Artificial Sweeteners – These are so unnecessary in health drinks today. In addition to the acid forming properties of artificial sweeteners, nutritionists express concerns about their effects on the human body. Many consumers now believe that artificial sweeteners may play a factor in diseases of the brain, such as Alzheimer’s. That is one reason why corporations such as Pepsico and Coca Cola are beginning to market health drinks and other products containing Stevia, an all natural sweetener that is actually beneficial. You can learn more about Stevia Sweetener and discover alkaline foods for pH balance by taking the Alkaline Food Test at BestHealthFoodStore.net.

· Isolated Vitamins – When isolated, processed, heated, liquefied and bottled, vitamins and minerals break down before your body can use them. You need vitamins and minerals from whole foods, not from so called health drinks that are really bottled, heated, highly processed waters with colorful dyes and artifical ingredients.

Someone showed me a well-known sport drink the other day and I couldn’t believe the ingredients! This tropical mango flavored health drink didn’t mention mango anywhere in the ingredients, but let’s take a look at what it did list, along with some things to think about when choosing health drinks:

· Sucrose Syrup (this is sugar)

· High Fructose Corn Syrup (more sugar) – A total of 56 gms of sugar

· Phosphoric Acid (the opposite of alkaline foods)

· Glycerol ester of wood rosin (acid forming)

· Modified Food Starch (how was it modified?)

· Natural and Artificial Flavors (your guess is as good as mine)

· Yellow 6, Yellow 5 and Red 40 (artificial dyes)

Another bottle of this not so healthy drink says “Specially Formulated for Tiger Woods” with the same ingredients, but blue dye instead of yellow. I guess that secret blue stuff is what makes Tiger play so well. In fact, experts could argue that Tiger’s recent knee problems are because of too many acid forming foods and not enough alkaline foods in his diet. Many medical and health specialists now believe that an acid/alkaline imbalance can contribute to weak bones and damaged joints.

When shopping for a good health drink, here are some important considerations to keep in mind.

· Is it liquefied, pasteurized or otherwise heated in the bottling process? If so then the enzymes have been destroyed and the nutrients will not easily be absorbed by the body.

· Does it give you chlorophyll from plants to help your cells absorb more oxygen?

· Does it provide natural antioxidants to destroy free radicals? Natural antioxidants are essential for anti-aging.

· Is it made with whole food ingredients like real fruit or other alkaline foods?

Now, let’s take a different look at health drinks on the market today that are not advertised with flashy TV ads or filled with colorful dyes: Here are some of the characteristics of these truly healthy drinks:

· Not liquefied or bottled, but in powder form

· Processed at low temperatures

· Contain live enzymes from whole alkaline foods and chlorophyll from plants

· Complex structures of the whole food ingredients are fully intact

· Loaded with natural antioxidants to combat free radicals

If you buy your health drinks in a convenience store, a grocery store, or in the health food store at the mall, then you are falling short of a truly beneficial alkaline food diet. You will find far better choices online by Googling all natural health drinks.

Recently, a controversy has developed over antioxidants and alkaline fruits and their effects on cancer. Specifically, some believe that cancer can be treated by consuming alkaline fruits and vegetables.

Many web merchants claim that an alkaline body may be able to significantly fight the pH of malignant cancer cells until they die. According to doctors, the claims of such merchants are false. Doctors from the Mayo Clinic, one of the world’s most renowned medical treatment and diagnostic centers, say this cancer rumor is untrue.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “A diet rich in certain alkaline foods, meaning foods that aren’t acidic, won’t cure cancer. Proponents of this diet claim foods such as soft drinks and meats make your body acidic, allowing cancer to flourish” (2005). Unfortunately, cancer, like many other serious illnesses, isn’t that simple.

The Mayo Clinic elaborated about proponents of an anti-acid and anti-cancer diet stating, “The theory that acid causes cancer isn’t true, and it isn’t clear that what you eat has any impact on your body’s overall acidity or alkalinity.”

Free radicals have also been linked to cancerous cell growth. Many doctors confirm this fact. “Free radicals have long been known to be mutagenic,” stated Dr. Tamer Fouhad (2002). “Animal and cell culture studies have suggested that antioxidants may slow or even prevent the development of cancer,” according to the National Cancer Institute.

Antioxidants are chemicals found in several food sources, like dark chocolate, green tea, red wine, vegetables, and fruits such as sour cherries, acaiberries, blueberries, mangosteen, and the noni fruit. Examples of antioxidants include beta carotene, lycopene, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Not only do antioxidant vitamins benefit your body with health benefits; they may also combat cancer according to reputable medical sources.

But, the American Cancer Society thinks more research is needed on the subject. They point out that different studies have had mixed results. Their official statement is that “too little is known about how antioxidant supplements actually act against disease.” They do not, however, refute the claim.

Antioxidants are thought to bind with free radicals and thereby protect cellular DNA from harm, since free radicals are highly reactive and mutations in DNA can lead to cancer if flawed cells reproduce in large numbers. But, until more research is done, the ACS thinks the jury’s still out on antioxidants.

Even if it is too soon for some organizations to endorse the beneficial effects of antioxidants in cancer prevention, a substantial body of evidence indicates its success. Incorporating antioxidants into your diet with fruit juices from mangosteen, pineapple, blueberries, pomegranate, star fruit and many other fruits is certainly worth a try when it comes to cancer prevention.

While the myth of an alkaline diet helping to prevent cancer is unclear, antioxidants have been found to help prevent cancer in certain studies. A healthy diet should include fresh fruits. Even the American Cancer Society states that the best way to reduce your cancer risk is to have a healthy diet that includes five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, so choose fruits rich in antioxidants to help tip the anti-cancer scales in your favor.

Most people believe that there maybe a connection between our diet and cancer, but know little more than that. It’s true; there is a connection, a very big connection. A hundred years ago when cancer was almost unheard of, we were all eating food that was freshly grown or was grown in our own gardens. Today, nearly all of our food is in supermarkets and has been processed and interfered with by man.

The food we put into our body is the foundation of our health and it is well known that the nutritional quality of the food we consume is related to our state of health. Even “Hippocrates,” the father of our medicine stated in one of his oaths, “Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.”

People a hundred years ago were actually healthier than modern man living in western societies. A new study says excessive levels of cholesterol, heart disease and cancer were non existent then and that these health problems are a direct result of too much of the wrong food we eat and our lack of exercise. Their average lifespan may have been lower than ours today, but that was because of diseases, infections and child mortality problems which we have mostly sorted out.

How is all this related to cancer? Cancer is simply a disease of the immune system or more correctly a disease of a weak immune system which because it has been weakened through the way we live, especially with the wrong foods that we eat, allows cancer cells to become established. The obvious way and the safest way to become cancer free once its established is to boost the immune system and the only way to do that is eat the food that has been designed for human beings. That is, live as Mother Nature has intended us to live.

When man processes food and to help it sell, he know that we all have a craving for 3 things, fat, salt or refined sugar. Those 3 items are found in nearly all processed food and are all known contributors to cancer. Also, all processed foods are old food, (nutritional dead food) compared to fresh produce.

It’s only very recently that we have seen research into food and how it is related to cancer. Phytonutrients, also called phytochemicals have been discovered in many fruit and vegetables, and these compounds have been found to have an amazing ability to stop cancer and to especially fight cancer once it’s established. A few examples are;

Tomatoes contain a photo nutrient called lycopene and are the compound responsible for its bright red colour and its anti cancer potential. It has been beneficial to both prostrate and breast cancer patients.
Cruciferous vegetables in which broccoli is one of them, all contain important anti cancer compounds and research has found overwhelming evidence to support this.
Red grapes have a powerful photo nutrient called resveratrol which also have anti cancer properties.
Apples have been found to inhibit the growths in colon cancer by 43%. They contain a photo nutrient which was found only in the skin of the apple.

Why haven’t we been told about the cancer fighting ability of our natural food? The answer is very simple, food is a natural product and no one can control the price of it and make enormous profits, where as drugs to treat cancer are synthesised or artificial and can be patented and the price can then be controlled by the manufacture themselves. Conventional cancer treatments today using these drugs represent a multi billion dollar a year industry. These vast profits are fiercely protected by these industry giants.

So to the diet that can cure cancer, and it has to revolve around freshly grown food, organic if possible.

The natural food for breakfast is fresh fruit and plenty of it. If you need to snack through the morning eat more fruit.
A healthy choice for lunch is a plate of fresh salad items and there are lots to choose from. Onions should be part of it.
A couple of choices for tea can be a soup using fresh vegetables or pumpkin or maybe lightly steaming some vegetables with a baked potato.

Diets similar to this are nothing new as Dr Gerson was curing cancer patients back in the 1950s in America with foods such as these but he used the food in juice form so as to flood the body with nutrients. He cured thousands of patients, many of them terminal and there are countless testimonials from his cured patients.