Globally, the rates of people affected by cancer are increasing hugely. One of the main contributing factors behind this increased rate is our unhealthy lifestyle which involves alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, obesity, and a poor diet. It is quite scary for people to be diagnosed with cancer as it is still the second highest cause of death worldwide. It is recommended that you undergo routine cancer screenings so that you can get cancer treatment in Siliguri at an early stage.
Apart from undergoing regular screenings and taking care of your body, you may still have the risk of getting cancer. Your risk of being affected by this health issue increases further if you’re not concerned about your diet. It is said that “you are what you eat” and this is a true phrase because the foods that we eat directly affect the risk rates of getting affected by cancer. A nutritious and balanced diet is the first thing that the oncologist will recommend for protecting yourself from this life-threatening health issue.
Role of Diet in Reducing The Risk of Cancer
Before knowing the role of diet in preventing cancer, you must know that there is no single food that can keep you away from the health condition. However, eating healthy can play a significant role in preventing the chances of getting affected by certain cancers.
The main role of the diet here is that it helps protect you from various chronic conditions such as COPD, hepatitis B and C, and crohn's disease. On the other hand, a healthy diet can also help you maintain your weight and reduce the chances of cancer as some cancers are associated with excessive body weight. Some such cancers that can be avoided with a balanced diet are-
- Liver cancer
- Colon cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
Along with a positive effect on your weight, diet can also strengthen your immune system which will prepare your body to fight off the cancer cells. Remember that when you’re eating healthy, your healthy cells will always be protected from any environmental damage and oxidative stress.
This as a result will destroy and stop the growth of any malignant cells. Even if the doctor has detected any cancerous cells in the body, you can visit the best cancer treatment hospital in Siliguri and get dietary recommendations to ensure a speedy recovery.
Dietary Modifications To Protect Yourself From Cancer
1. Add fibre-rich foods to your diet
One of the most important things that you must add to your anti-cancer diet is foods that are rich in fibre. High-fibre foods have anti-appetite molecule acetate that works wonders making us feel fuller for a longer period.
This prevents us from indulging in snacking on unhealthy foods every 10 minutes. Additionally, it also has been found that high-fibre foods are associated with lower chances of colon cancer since they help us manage our normal body weight. Some of the best fibre-rich foods are-
- Nuts
- Whole grains such as bread, brown rice, oats, and quinoa
- Blueberries
- Lentils and beans
- Apples
2. Eat fresh veggies and fruits
It is advised by the American Cancer Society that following the rule of “eat the rainbow” can be highly effective in reducing the risks of cancer. The different colour pigments found in fresh vegetables and fruits have all the ingredients that the body needs to stop the development of cancerous cells.
This is why you must always aim to include at least 3 different colors of vegetables and fruits in your diet every day. Maintain your cell health with all the multi-coloured minerals and vitamins you will get from-
- Bananas
- Apples
- Carrots
- Leafy greens
- Beets
- Grapes
3. Reduce fat intake
While following an anti-cancer diet, you must always be picky about choosing fat sources. To maintain a normal weight, your body only needs 25-30 grams of fat every day and you must eat food accordingly to not exceed this range. You must note that minimizing overall fat intake can be highly beneficial in reducing the chances of various health conditions including cancer.
Herein, while selecting certain food products, you must always look for the words polyunsaturated and monounsaturated since these fats are not good for our bodies. Certain good fats that you may consider including in your diet are-
- Avocadoes
- Almonds
- Peanut Butter
- Hummus
4. Totally cut down on alcohol
To avoid the pain of undergoing cancer treatment in Siliguri, you must always consider cutting down the intake of alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption has been associated with throat, breast, and esophageal cancers, where people with a history of high levels of beer consumption may also be affected with rectal and liver cancer.
This is why it is vital for you to realize this alarming sign and limit the consumption of alcohol. You can also consider getting proper treatment for alcohol use disorder to reduce the effects of alcohol on your body.
5. Pack your body with anti-oxidants
Just like fibre, antioxidants are also an important nutrient that protects our body from malignant cells. You should know that antioxidants are the compounds found in plants that save plants from any diseases. Henceforth, eating plants that are rich in antioxidants can also be beneficial for our health.
These compounds can remove toxins from our body while repairing the damaged cells effectively. The phytochemicals and anti-inflammatory properties found in antioxidant-rich food support our body to stop the spread of cancer. Some foods that have high amounts of anti-oxidants are-
- Beans
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Nuts and seeds
- Whole grains
- Carrots
6. Take vitamin D supplements
If your body has lower levels of vitamin D then you have an increased risk of developing prostate, breast, and colon cancers. However, it is very difficult for us to fulfil our body’s requirement of vitamin D as there are fewer foods that have enough of this vitamin.
In some cases, doctors recommend you expose your skin to sunlight while wearing sunscreen to absorb some vitamin D. The best way to get enough vitamin D is to take supplements prescribed by the doctor.
7. Avoid certain cancer-causing foods
Cancer is often considered a complex disease that can be caused by various foods. Herein, you can book an appointment with an oncologist to learn about cancer-causing foods so that you can avoid those to ensure your well-being.
There are certain foods that can cause obesity and type 2 diabetes which can cause cancer. On the other hand, there are also some foods containing carcinogens that you need to avoid to remain cancer-free. The foods that you must consider avoiding are-
- Fried foods
- Processed meat
- Dairy products
- Overcooked foods such as pan-fried, grilled, and barbequed
- Refined carbohydrates
- Alcohol
8. Be careful about added sugars
Sugar is the number 1 enemy of cancer and this is why you will often hear doctors say that “sugar feeds cancer”. Herein, you must note that this problem is not associated with the natural sugars found in grains and fruits.
However, you must be concerned when eating foods with added sugar which are also the main products causing heart disease and diabetes apart from cancer. Some of the products that you must avoid while having a sugar rush are-
- Salad dressings
- Bread
- Granola bars
- Crackers
- Fruit-flavoured yogurts
9. Focus on lean protein sources
To prevent cancer, it is also important for you to focus on food with lean protein. Remember that lean protein doesn’t mean you have to eat non-veg food because there are also some vegetarian and plant-based protein sources that can fulfil your protein requirements.
Herein, you must consider adding both non-veg and veg protein sources to your diet for a nourishing lunch or dinner. However, remember that to keep the protein intake in moderation to avoid overconsumption. The best protein sources you must consider are-
-
Fish
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Lentils
- Chia seeds
- Quinoa
Apart from just getting cancer treatment in Siliguri , you can overcome the fear of being diagnosed with cancer following a healthy eating pattern. It is true that making changes in your diet can be difficult so you can start small and celebrate all the small victories you made towards a healthier lifestyle.
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