The Anti-Cancer Diet: 7 Foods That Could Prevent Cancer

Do you know that certain foods have proven cancer fighting properties? Some work before the cancer even starts, others may help you to fight off cancer once it starts (not that you should only treat cancer with food!)

Cancer has dozens of different causes from radiation to viruses. However, the general mechanism of cancer is that the normal cells in your body or organ start to divide without stopping, forming a tumor.

Tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The cancerous tumor can then metastasize. That means that cancerous cells break off and float around looking for a new body part to settle in.

Check out these seven foods that can help you in the cancer fight.

1. Cruciferous Vegetables (Broccoli)

Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, turnips, etc.) have a lot of great health benefits. They are rich in vitamin C, E, B9, and K, carotenoids, and minerals. They can lower your risk of heart related conditions.

In particular, broccoli contains sulforaphane. This compound has shown great potential in the lab at reducing the size of breast and prostate cancer cells and are linked to a reduction in colorectal and colon cancer.

Eat it raw or steamed for maximum benefit.

2. Carrots

A carrot a day beats an apple a day for keeping health risks at bay! They are good for your eyes and are carrots are linked to decreased risk of stomach cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and leukemia. Carrots are rich in carotenes (antioxidants) that counteract free radicals (particles linked with cancer and every day life). They are great in the fight against heart disease and diabetes and boost your immune system.

Eat them raw or steamed or juiced.

3. Beans

Beans are a great source of nutrients and fiber. That fiber may help lower your risk of colorectal cancer. Start with dried beans, soak them for at least 5 hours, and cook. They are great for your heart, may fight depression, lower your blood pressure, and help you lose weight.

With all that going for beans, it is worth adding ½ a cup a day to your diet. Just don’t add lard to them and watch the over salting.

4. Berries

Berries (blueberries and strawberries in particular) are a terrific source of antioxidants. Whether you eat them fresh, frozen, freeze dried, or in an extract, berries are a great health food. Results have been seen in colorectal cancer, oral cancer, esophageal cancer, and even in reducing cancer markers in your body.

They are also great for fighting depression, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels. And they taste great! Just don’t smother them in cream and sugar for maximum health benefits.

5. Certain Spices

Herbal medicine has long used spices. Science is finally catching up. Garlic, cinnamon and turmeric are cancer fighters.

Garlic contains allicin, known to kill test tube cancer cells. Humans eating more garlic have less stomach cancer and colorectal tumors. Crush and swallow a clove a day or add to your cooking.

Cinnamon is anti-inflammatory that may lower risk of head and neck cancers and reduce tumor size.Turmeric, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, shows promise in colon, lung, breast, prostate, and head and neck cancers.

6. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are a miracle oil. Good for practically everything (lower blooding pressure, fight depression, increase energy levels, improving eye sight…), omega-3s also have cancer fighting properties. Omega-3s are found in fatty fish (think salmon), flax seeds, some oils like olive, and omega3 rich eggs, among other sources.

Omega-3s are linked to lower digestive tract cancers, colorectal, prostate, breast cancers, lowered markers, and smaller tumors. Cook with olive oil, sprinkle flax seed on food, and don’t fry your fish.

7. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are full of a carotenoid called lycopene. Eat them raw or cooked or even powdered to protect against prostate, pancreatic, mouth, neck, and lung cancers. Lycopene appears to prevent cell damage that may lead to a tumor and appears to limit metastasis and tumor growth.

Combining tomatoes and broccoli appears to boost the cancer fighting properties of both. Adding a bit of olive oil increases absorption of lycopene dramatically. In addition, tomatoes may help fight depression and boost your immune system.

What To Eat For Healthy Aging

Introduction

Aging is something that unfortunately happens to all of us. Everything that you do however can impact how quickly you age, both on the outside and in terms of your health.

Older people face a lot more issues than younger people so doing all you can to look/feel younger for longer is going to benefit you.

The foods you eat has a big impact on your health and introducing the following into your life is really going to make a big difference.

Blackberries

Studies have shown that these delicious little fruits in addition to having high levels of Vitamin C for increased health, they also have cancer fighting properties.

The polyphenolic mixes is known to be what works for cell reinforcement. In addition to this, berries in general will improve your intellect and keep your mind sharp.

Oranges

This is another fruit high in Vitamin C, which not only helps as a cancer prevention – it also helps to keep still hydrated and young looking.

By consuming oranges and other fruits high in Vitamin C on a regular basis, you are going to see fewer wrinkles on your skin and feel fresher in general.

Walnuts

These nuts are packed full of cell reinforcements to help your body repair itself as you age. A test on rats actually showed that walnuts can even help with cognitive development.

Strawberries

Strawberries are another type of berry that are well worth eating regularly if you want to decrease the aging process.

They have heaps of Vitamin C and fiber which help enormously for cell reinforcement.

Blueberries

The final berry that has made this list and quite an underrated one is blueberries. There are many cancer prevention properties within this fruit and they are also said to increase the neurological cerebrum in the brain.

The skin is what gives so many of us away as we get older but blueberries stop your skin from maturing at such a rapid rate.

Cranberry juice

Need a new healthy drink that has anti-aging properties? Cranberry juice is perfect! With ingredients that help to prevent cancer, cranberry juice excels in other areas too.

It helps prevent plaque in the mouth and also yellowing teeth. Teeth that are white and in good condition will often make you look younger, so consume this regularly.

Cocoa

If you needed another excuse to eat chocolate, you have one. There is cell reinforcement properties found in cocoa, which helps with anticipating oxidative harm.

Eating pure cocoa based products, namely dark chocolate, is best for taking advantage of the anti aging benefits.

Salmon

Omega-unsaturated and other good fats are found within salmon which have a positive benefit on the bones, joints and even heart.

This delicious fish also has anti-cancer properties, it’s also known to improve memory and brain health.

Conclusion

Nourishing your body with everything good is perfect for delaying the aging process. It will mean that you can grow old gracefully because you are going to feel/look healthier.

7 Ways Coconut Oil Can Improve Your Health And Beauty

Coconut and its Oil

Coconuts are often used as a food source and cooking fat substitute, coconut oil also has many benefits for well-being, appearance and health.

Convenient, often organic and a safer method that can replace many traditional synthetic beauty regimens, coconut oil is a worthwhile addition to anyone’s regular cosmetics supplies.

Here are the seven best ways in which this natural product can be used, especially for hydrating and saturating skin.

1. Lip Gloss

Lip Gloss

If you have chapped lips, try coconut oil. Applying it like you would apply a lip balm as a natural alternative to regular glosses will give your lips a less dried-out feeling and appearance.

Keep some with you in a tiny bottle or jar for when you need it so it won’t spill when you travel.

Use your finger to quickly slather on some more throughout the day, without worrying about a big mess or strong smell.

2. Body Scrub

Body Scrub

Coconut oil works wonders as a safe body cleanser, getting rid of old dead skin cells, clearing away dirt and rejuvenating clogged pores.

Blend some coconut oil together with sugar and/or salt and use it in the bath or shower for a more hydrated, youthful look.

3. Teeth Whitener

Mix coconut oil with preparing pop for a new way to whiten and brighten your smile. Unlike manufactured teeth bleaches and synthetic whiteners, this alternative is enduring, safe and gives your teeth a cleaner gleam.

Plaque and yellow coloration will likely be gone after you try this extraordinary solution!

4. Removing Cosmetics From Your Face

Facial Remover

Tired of the expense and hassle of purchasing drugstore makeup removers, especially when they dry out your skin or leave it prone to acne breakouts?

Try coconut oil!

To remove makeup from your face, use cotton balls or sponge pads dabbed in coconut oil for a more hydrating method of restoring your face after a long day of wearing mascara and lipstick.

5. Eye Cream Made of Coconut Oil

Eye Cream

Under your eyes, the skin is fragile and prone to easy damage if not kept hydrated and free of irritants. Even the finest skin will take well to the smooth softness of coconut oil, though.

Gently apply coconut oil beneath your eyes to reduce puffiness and decrease the formation of wrinkles and fine lines. This natural product won’t dry out your skin, and it’s easy to wipe off quickly if you’re in a hurry.

6. Hair Conditioner

Hair Conditioner

Coconut oil is a wonderful hydration product when it comes to your body, face and hair. Use a small amount of coconut oil for no less than an hour as you would a regular conditioner, if you find that your hair is exceptionally dry.

It leaves thick dried-out hair smoother with a reflective sparkle, keeping away tangles, knots and crunchy locks.

7. Frizzy Hair Care

Coconut oil is a must-have for people with very frizzy, hard-to-control hair. Use it as desired for smooth waves and curls instead of bushy split ends and wiry, loose locks.

You’ll be glad you have it on those really windy days as a natural control, and it’s less expensive than other frizz-removal products.

Eat 2 Dates Every Day for 1 Week and This Can Happen to Your Body

Dates Palm

Dates are the small, oval fruits of the date palm tree, grown in tropical climates. Because of the distance they have to travel to get to American tables, dates are frequently sold dried, which concentrates their sweetness and gives them a pleasing chewy texture. Honestly, eating dates can feel a lot like indulging in gummy candy – except that they are a lot healthier.

The nutritional benefits of eating dates are many. Just one 3.5 ounce serving has about 20% of your daily requirement for potassium along with 7 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein, and several types of antioxidants. Dates also contain a nice amount of copper, manganese, vitamin B6, magnesium, and iron.

Fresh dates may be bright red or bright yellow in color (or somewhere in between), but dried dates typically have a golden brown hue. The most commonly consumed varieties are Medjool and Deglet Noor, but there are actually over 3,000 varieties to be found worldwide!

Whatever variety you choose and whether dried or fresh, dates offer some really great health benefits. Try eating just 2 of them every day for one week and see what happens to your body. We’ve collected some of the most exciting possibilities, but honestly, #5 is almost enough all on its own!

1. Better Digestion

Fiber is a critical component of healthy digestion despite that fact that we don’t actually digest it. Instead, fiber adds bulk to your stools. It sounds crazy, but that actually helps your body push waste through the colon and eliminate it more easily and regularly.

Dates have a hefty 7 grams of fiber per 3.5 ounce serving, so they’re a great way to add more to your diet. You can chop some up and sprinkle them on oatmeal for an even bigger boost, but it is best to work up to this meal. Fiber should be added gradually to the diet lest it cause the very constipation you’re trying to prevent.

2. Sustained Energy

Despite the fact that dates are quite sweet, they don’t spike your blood sugar. It’s the fiber once again that deserves the credit. Fiber slows digestion and evens out the rate at which the sugar in dates hits your blood stream. You won’t have a spike and subsequent crash when you enjoy dates, but rather a sustained source of energy.

So despite their candy-like taste, dates are considered a low-glycemic food, meaning that they score low on the test that measures how quickly blood sugar rises after eating specific foods.

3. Significant Disease Prevention

Dates are high in several types of antioxidant, which are compounds capable of binding with and neutralizing free radicals in the body. Free radicals tend to cause cellular damage until they are neutralized, which increases the risk of many common diseases. Dates have been found to have the highest level of antioxidants of all related fruits, including figs and plums. The three most potent antioxidants in dates are as follows:

• Flavonoids: Flavonoids are antioxidants known reduce inflammation in the body. They have been extensively studied and found to reduce the risk of diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and some kinds of cancer.
• Carotenoids: Carotenoids are antioxidants that do a lot to support the health of your heart; they may also work to keep your eyes healthy by lowering the risk macular degeneration and cataracts.
• Phenolic acid: Another strong anti-inflammatory, phenolic acid is thought to reduce your risk of developing heart disease or cancer.

Chronic inflammation is a factor in pretty much every disease known to man, so a diet high in antioxidant foods goes a long way toward maintaining your overall health. Dates are one such food.

4. Slower Age-Related Mental Decline

The time to protect your brain from the ravages of aging-related mental decline is now. Right now. There are lots of ways to challenge your brain and keep it sharp, but all of them rely on proper nutrition to maintain clear pathways in the brain. Dates have been found to lower inflammatory markers in your gray matter that are associated with higher rates of Alzheimer’s.

There have also been animal studies that indicate dates have the potential to prevent the formation of amyloid beta protein plaques in the brain. When these plaques form, they disrupt communication between brain cells and cause cells to die at a faster rate. Other animal studies found that mice fed a diet including dates had better learning ability, longer memory, and less anxiety-related behaviours.

5. Less Reliance on White Sugar

The overconsumption of sugar is a serious health crisis that doctors think is fueling the obesity epidemic. Refined sugars are packed into so many foods, under so many different names, that even people who are trying to eat more healthfully may fall victim to it. If you are truly committed to reducing your sugar intake, it’s best to eat home-cooked meals almost exclusively.

To that end, dates are an excellent replacement for sugar. Eating them whole is a nice sweet treat, but you can also substitute dates for sugar in many recipes. Simply blend dates and water in a blender until you get a paste. The paste can then be substituted 1:1 for sugar in whatever you’re baking. While date paste is fairly high in calories, it contains dietary fiber and antioxidants – something refined white sugar does not.

Conclusion

Fresh Dates Palm

Dates are an excellent addition to your daily diet. Because they are high in calories, we recommend sticking to about 2 per day. Luckily, that is plenty to reap the considerable health benefits. The nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants make dates one treat you don’t have to feel guilty about.

So chop them up for salads or oatmeal, use date paste instead of sugar in those cookies, or just snack on dates whole. The result will be a healthier body and mind as well as the sustained energy you need to power through your day. So what are you waiting for? There are 3,000 kinds to choose from!