by Melanie Bowen
Nutrition plays a significant role in a person’s health and well-being. Growing evidence shows that a healthy diet is good ammunition in the fight against cancer and other chronic illnesses. From autoimmune illnesses to rare cancers like mesothelioma, quality of life is important for those on the journey to healing or road to recovery. According to medical experts, a healthy diet is the easiest reduce side effects of treatment and boost energy.
Diets that are rich in illness-fighting elements are extremely beneficial for current patients and survivors. A healthy diet during illness strengthens patients, so they can better manage the cancer pain and therapy side effects. After treatment, a nutritional lifestyle helps survivors cope with recovery and may prevent recurrence.
Creating a healthy body for life takes time, effort, and determination. It may, or may not, mean drastic changes in a diet. Lifestyle changes can boost energy and lend to overall positive attitudes and viewpoints. One should consider adding these illness-fighting nutrients to their diet:
Folate
Studies have shown that men who consume adequate levels of folate on a daily basis decrease their risk of getting pancreatic cancer by fifty percent. Low levels of folate may allow mutations in DNA to occur. Folate, a B complex vitamin, is found in many healthy foods. Starting breakfast with orange juice, adding spinach leaves to a lunch salad, and eating asparagus with dinner are good ways to get more folate in the diet.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is another important nutrient. Not only does it build strong bones and teeth, but it may also restrain cancer cell growth. In fact, studies link Vitamin D intake with a 50 percent reduction in breast cancer risk. The vitamin may also improve survival rates for people with lung cancer, including asbestos-related mesothelioma. Many people with asbestos cancer have surpassed their life expectancy by adopting a healthy diet that includes Vitamin D-rich foods.
Vitamin D is usually associated with milk, but eggs are another good source. The nutrient is also found in cod, salmon, shrimp, and other seafoods. Cancer patients can also soak up some Vitamin D with a little exercise in the sunshine — a short ten-minute walk, with a good sunscreen applied to the skin, will do the trick.
Spices
Herbs and spices, especially ginger and curcumin, add zest to any meal. Recent studies show they may also add years to a life. Used to flavor dishes or add color to a meal, curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties that may suppress the growth of cancer. Ginger, a popular holistic remedy for nausea, may actually destroy cancer cells. Ginger’s effect on cancer is currently under study in women with ovarian cancer and other gynecological diseases.
Patients can get more ginger into their diets by sipping ginger ale or adding the spice to soups, sauces, and marinades. Curcumin, the main ingredient in curry powder, complements chicken, rice, and vegetable dishes.
When one feels better they heal better. Seek out nutritional resources and track your progress. Learn the art of happiness—and it all starts with our daily need to nourish our bodies, which consequently nourishes our mind.
(Melanie Bowen is an awareness advocate for natural health and holistic therapies for cancer patients. You will often find her highlighting the great benefits of different nutritional, emotional, and physical treatments on those with illness in her efforts to increase attentiveness and responsiveness on like topics.)
Antioxidants in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and caulfiflower are also very effective to prevent cancer. They are called the super-veggies. For example, they have sulforaphane which stimulates detoxifying enzymes in the body and prevent carcinogens and free radicals from damaging your cells.