Okay watercress isn't exactly a major part of the American diet. But maybe it should be, according to researchers in Ireland, who released studies in the past two years showing that eating watercress everyday can prevent the DNA damage that leads to cancer. Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition – but conducted in Ulster where people are more comfortable eating watercress -- found that antioxidants in the nutrient-rich greens prevented free radicals from damaging healthy cells. Spinach, which we're all more familiar with, is also a cancer-fighter; research conducted by the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas showed spinach to protect against bladder cancer. The chemical that gives spinach its dark green color, chlorophyllin, proved to reduce the risk of liver cancer in research by the National Academy of Sciences. Who cares about muscles? Here's a much more important reason to eat your greens.
None of this is to say that an anti-cancer diet or nutritional supplements should be used in place of doctor-recommended treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. While there are members of Caring.com's cancer community like Joel MacDonald who are using nutrition to battle their disease and have interesting stories to tell, the experts in this field strongly recommend that those who've already been diagnosed with cancer use anti-cancer nutrients to bolster traditional medical cancer treatment, not to replace it.
A great resource for those interested in learning more about making dietary changes to prevent cancer or cancer recurrence is a new book, AntiCancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber, an MD, PhD, and professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. At the age of 31, Servan-Schreiber, one of the founders of Doctors Without Borders, had a brain tumor surgically removed. After exploring the research on the connections between diet and cancer, Serban-Schreiber embarked on a series of lifestyle changes that he credits with preventing his brain cancer from recurring. Two books by nutritional biochemist Richard Beliveau, Foods to Fight Cancer Foods That Fight Cancer and Cooking with Foods That Fight Cancer, provide specific lists of foods and cooking suggestions that make following an anti-cancer diet straightforward and simple.
The list above is by no means comprehensive. Please comment and share your anti-cancer nutrition and diet ideas.
Everything was helpful. Thank you.
Awesome truth.... Can not separate God from the truth....
I am so pleased that all of these foods are suitable for vegans.
Good article, except for one thing. It talks about eating soy but does not specify that the SOY should be ORGANIC, otherwise you will likely be eating genetically modified or engineered (GMO or GE) Soy which consiitutes about 70-80% of all soy produced in the USA. GMO/GE soy is not beneficial. For further information on this go to drmercola.com and NaturalNews.com, which give lots of reasons why one should avoid eating GMO/GE foods, especially soy. However, organic soy appears to be good, as well as the fermented soy that Japanese like, nattokinase (but its flavour takes getting used to).
The book "A New Way of Life" is a must, easy to read and full of good advice. It will give anyone with cancer, or their family members, real encouragement
Thank you.
This article is terrific. Straight forward, beautifully organized, and facts, not guesses. 10+. I'm a distance energy healer and work often with cancer patients. I will pass on your great research.
Food info. Fwd'd to friends and family.
That changing lifestyle and diet is straightforward and simple. We are so fond of thinking that our modern food and treatment are right. It has been proven many times over that we mus 'go back to nature' simply because we are part of nature. God put the plants at their respective places for a specific cause. We are to take care of the plants for our food and for the very oxygen we breathe. We are to eat the fruits as it is and not extract it's properties i.e. we must not develop food from it's natural being. It has also been proven that whatever we 'touch' becomes 'chaos'. Lately, it has been found that the conventional methods of treating cancer often results in recurrence. There are also many anti-cancer herbs which are much more worthy of trust since conventional methods doesn,t work. Take herbs as a prevention. Not proven? Many real testimonies. Time does not wait for the patients, what do they have got to loose for trying out natural herbs? We are one with nature! The latest anti-cancer /cure sensation is the herb Clinacanthus nutans - even up to Stage 4! Do a search or please contact me!
I have seen this list or something close before. I've been putting more of these foods in my diet for several years. I used to eat fast food quite a bit, but in recent years not so much. I have been growing tomatoes and several other vegetables and eating garlic like it was going out of style. I don't think these recommendations are a plot by the agriculture industry! When you can reduce reliance on the products of Big Pharma by going natural - you win in my book.
Very informative and it can save lives
what sapliments help maintain a patient with HIV and AIDS?
Be careful with soy: I had hormone(estrogen)-driven breast cancer. After the treatment, both my surgeon and oncologist told me not to use soy.
I had breast cancer 2 years ago. A Friend of mine told me to change my eating habits. Eventhough I did eat healthy there were a lot of processed foods that I ate. I listened but I really did not want to leave all of those things I enjoyed eating. So I began my research. I discovered that yes what you eat is very important for your health. I started to eat all of those fruits and vegetables, no canned foods, no canned juices, no coffee, no meats, no dairy products no processed foods! Wow that is a lot to drop! But guess what... I felt good , even my skin color changed! Yes it works and it makes you feel good! I am full of energy and I do 6 months check ups- no cancer! And guess what I am a believer- I am not letting it come back!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was very pleased to know that some berries are cancer fighting foods.
THis site is very useful infact good for yiour well being
Hi Magna, we don't seem to have any information on that particular topic, but if you'd like you can post a question in our Ask & Answer section, here ( http://www.caring.com ). Take care -- Emily | Community Manager
I heard that a bird food is healthy for people, that's true? If it's true can you tell me the name of that food, please?
do you also have articles on foods for diabetics?
Hi Loving Husband, Great question! I did a little searching around on Caring.com and found the answer to your question here: http://www.caring.com/questions/foods-that-fight-leukemia. I also think it's safe to assume that the foods listed in this article can help with a whole range of cancers, leukemia included. I hope that helps answer your question. Good luck! -- Emily | Community Manager
Hugs Loving husband
Not all breast cancers are fueled by estrogen. There is triple negative (no receptors), HER2 and inflammatory breast cancer. Estrogen positive is the most common. My oncologist and holistic health care provider both discourage the consumption of soy products for estrogen positive breast cancer. Actually my holistic provider discourages the consumption of soy in the U.S. period, because much of it is genetically engineered and we don't know how that effects humans yet.
I did not see any mention of leukemia in this list of cancer fighting foods unless I missed it. Are there any types of foods or food ingredients that are helpful in the fight against leukemia?
If your interested the netflix and hulu.com provide the"Gerson Miricle" story. It is well done and have clinics alll over the world except the USA. You may not have the need to do the intense Gerson therapy but it will open your eyes and possibly change what you eat.
You know, A German doctor in the 1930s documented an astounding 499 out 500 success rate for curing cancer using organic pressed vegetable juices, vitamins and detoxification but when he went to the US congress to inform them of his discovery they sent him away, the FDA made it illegal to say food can cure disease, and that only pharmaceuticals can claim to cure disease. Nice work FDA. His name was Dr Gerson and there is a great documentry about it.
Scientists are only interested in trying to seperate compunds from foods so they can get a patent. Compunds should be left in their nature state where they are combined with other compunds scientists cant measure or detect. Eat raw veggies and juices.
I do not want cancer, best to prevent
informative topic!!!
Food and vitamen intake is critical.
Why has 98% of the European Union banned the use of fluoridation of drinking water? Are their doctors and scientists less educated than those in the USA?
i drink soy milk every day. Will I receive health benefits from that? I buy organic, plain soy milk.
thease article is very helpful
it is good to know that man is being blessed in discovering the natural healing god has placed on the planet for us all to benefit from.
The entire article was helpful. However one major problem with it was that for any of us on blood thinners eating green vegetables isn't an option. Is there a safe amount of greens we can eat? Ted007732
As a cancer survivor, I welcome info about how to prevent a recurrence. Rachel Beller is a nutritionist who has studied the affects of cancer fighting foods. I am anxious to see her book.(not yet published). The more info the better! Thanks.
SCM LIT A CANDLE FOR DELL AND JIM
The 10 super foods were great. I eat at least 8 of the 10 regularly. At 60, I am as phically fit as you can get.
Great article. I very much enjoyed it until it got to the last paragraph or two. You will never convince me that the American Cancer Society is anything more than a help mate to the big money making entitities---the AMA, the pharmaceuticals and such. They do not want to cure cancer because it would put them out of business!!!!! I am alive today only because of alternative medicine----diet, vitamins, minerals, herbs and life style. I do not take even an aspirin and have not for many years.
Prayers sondralee
Its really augmenting my believes that only natural things can fight these diseases
I wish you had some anti-cancer recipes so I can make something with all these ingredients.
This article is spot-on. The comment by human_lover about nutrition as opposed to fighting an external cause is true. Cancer is caused by healing cells getting out of control. These cells (the same cells as trophoblasts, the cells responsible for forming the placenta and umbilical cord for a fertilized egg) have a protein coating around them that repels white blood cells because they have the same electrical charge. Trypsin, an enzyme produced by the pancreas, digests the protein coating around the cancer cell, allowing it to be destroyed naturally. But when the body (possibly due to genetics) doesn't produce enough of this (or if all of this low supply is used to digest consumed animal protein) then the cancer is allowed to grow and multiply. The article mentions researchers don't know why these foods work. Well, one reason is because they don't know the above-mentioned process and what cancer is to begin with! The perfect food/ingredient for fighting cancer is amygdalin/Laetrile/Vitamin B17. It is most heavily found in apricot seeds and apple seeds. (Make sure and crack open the apricot pit to get to the seed! They can also be purchased ready-to-eat.) The ingredient has a bitter taste (so it takes a little bit to get used to chewing it) but that's how you identify a food that is rich in B17. This vitamin is nourishing to all cells except for cancer cells, where it chemically breaks apart into cyanide and benzaldehyde, which in combination are many times more powerful than each ingredient by themselves, and kill the cancer cell. The scientific community once again hid or lied about research done with this ingredient because it is naturally occuring and can't be used to make a profit. To learn about all of this, I recommend the book, World Without Cancer by G. Edward Griffin. There is also a video based on the book (do a web or youtube search) and there are various websites based on these truths. I would give a website but any American-based ones seem to get forced out of existance after 6 months or so. Do a search for youself and you'll find it. Personally, I will NEVER undergo chemo or radiation (or recommend it for my family, as many oncologists will admit, because of the side-effects vs. limited benefits) for cancer treatment, but instead choose nutritional therapy. However, consuming B17 prevents cancer in the first place!
Most of this stuff is just a crock of you know what. People trying to sell their products. Just see a doctor and get the meds. You will live longer. Forget the berries and the drinks. The only thing they reduce is your bank account not any tumors. Dr. Phelps
I have CLL, and hve found a both/and approach most helpful. I have gobbled antioxidants for years, and doubtless they delayed the thing surfacing, but finally it did. I had a year of treatment, with specialized, targeted chemotherapy. Additionally, I took (andcpntinue to take) maityake mushrooms, gingerforce, Resveritrol and Green Tea supplements. I also drink a lot of green tea, and my diet includes red meat (for red blood cell support). I felt good through chemo, had some energy loss but could function OK and didn't lose any hair (not that you'd notice). I'm currently in remission. The bottom line: your oncologist is in business to help you. In fact, his clinic probably employs a nutritionist! I support a combination of allopathic and naturopathic approaches. In my case, it seems to be working.
Our orientation is based upon the idea that disease comes from the outside in. This was promoted by Louis Pasteur. There was a competing view of disease happening at the same time as the Pasteur experiments. This view stated that in fact there are "germs" around all the time, and that the primary cause of disease is the health or lack of it of the person. The same applies to cancer. This may sound like splitting hairs, but the result of this orientation is our current focus on disease over health. It also has resulted in a mindset that views the body as a machine. As we understand that the body is so much more than that, and is in fact connected to the mind, and some would say the spirit, then we come to see that the body is more than a machine that just needs the "right" supplement, drug, radiation, or whatever, to be healed. That in fact if the body is sick, it is an opportunity to look at the big picture. to really look at our lives. I was diagnosed with stage three rectal cancer six weeks ago. I lived a fairly clean life, eating many of the foods listed on this site on a regular basis. Since the diagnosis, I have used the knowledge I gleaned from many years of self study of natural healing practices. This was helpful in the sense that it gave me something proactive to do on the physical level. The main thing I did and am doing is be clear that the disease would not kill me. But more than that, I have seen it in its larger perspective. That is, what is healing? Is it the cessation of the disease process? Or is it something more? I feel it is something more. I cannot fully articulate what that is, but I can say that it has something to do with being fully human. It has to do with a rigorous self examination of how I see and treat people, both in interactions with them, and in my mind. It has to do with how I treat myself. It has to do with kindness and love and generousity. No, I cannot do any of this if I am not alive. However, if I am alive and not doing this, there is a consequence. I am not talking about perfection here. Just a focus and a trajectory. I am also not saying that cancer is caused by one thing or another. I am merely saying cancer, or any illness, is a call to action, if we let it be. And I am not saying that this is easy. Many of our problems are caused by entrenched bad habits, and by willfully choosing to act and think it ways that are not particularly life affirming. Lots of times we don't even realize that. Turning toward another way can be a tremendous challenge. However, for those of us with a life threatening disease, it IS the challenge we are now faced with. It is up to us.
Everyone, try to take a look at www.lifechange.acaistory.com go buy the (M)mun and check all the product. I have a father that is no cure to his illness, and i depend on the product for my father. Dr. said to me, that he could be out of this world at no time,that was two years ago. Now, my father start talking. He was not talking two years ago. Take a look at the product everyone. My fathers life depend on this.
Loved the great information. Thanks for all the helpful tips.
Great article and I believe for the majority, it is very true. But, for me... I have had a garden and raised greens and tomatoes and eaten a lot of those, plus garlic and onions and tumeric for years. The only thing in that list that I've not been a big eater of is soy. I heard it contributes to Alzheimer's a few years back. And, we seldom drink alcoholic beverages, but we started drinking red wine a few years before the heart attacks. Anyway, I eat all these things a lot. Plus, I'm usually rather active, physically, riding bicycles, walking, etc.. BUT, I had heart attacks and colon cancer. I know stress from a son's girlfriend who thought life should have major drama every day contributed to my heart attacks, but the cancer had to start years before her interference. So, keep in mind that you can do everything right and STILL have heart attacks or cancer. I've almost always had a backwards system. I guess this proves it hasn't changed much. I wonder if there's any research on people who's bodies do the opposite of what is normal...???
I think this is a very good article and I do partake of alot of these things already.
Timely information--husband is scheduled to start both chemo AND radiation simultaneously next week for lung cancer. Doc told us we can take the weekend to decide if we want treatments scheduled starting Tuesday... I'm leaning toward the Graviola tree at this point. Graviola leaves & stems for Thanksgiving! With a broccoli, onion, leek and garlic casserole (I do indeed have a recipe for the allium loaded casserole--has a wonderful name: 7 galaxies!. Of course tradional cranberries & Blueberries & Green tea for dessert. We'll mull over the tofurky (need to read all ingredients first). So, thanks for helping us create our Thanksgiving menu and I'm also crossing my fingers that we are brave enough to "just say no" to the chemical cocktail on Tuesday. Extremely appreciative for this incredible eye-opening information, and yes, I do know that reponsibility is on us. Not holding anyone but us if something works or doesn't :). Thanks a million blueberries! Patti living strong!
Guyabano, The Soursop Fruit (Tope- tope/staferi) The Sour Sop or the fruit from the graviola tree is a miraculous natural cancer cell killer 10,000 times stronger than Chemo. Why are we not aware of this? Its because some b ig corporation want to make back their money spent on years of research by trying to make a synthetic version of it for sale. So, since you know it now you can help a friend in need by letting him know or just drink some sour sop juice yourself as prevention from time to time. The taste is not bad after all. It’s completely natural and definitely has no side effects. If you have the space, plant one in your garden. The other parts of the tree are also useful. The next time you have a fruit juice, ask for a sour sop. How many people died in vain while this billion-dollar drug maker concealed the secret of the miraculous Graviola tree? This tree is low and is called graviola in Brazil, guanabana in Spanish and has the uninspiring name "soursop" in English. The fruit is very large and the subacid sweet white pulp is eaten out of hand or, more commonly, used to make fruit drinks, sherbets and such. The principal interest in this plant is because of its strong anti-cancer effects. Although it is effective for a number of medical conditions, it is its anti tumor effect that is of most interest. This plant is a proven cancer remedy for cancers of all types. Besides being a cancer remedy, graviola is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent for both bacterial and fungal infections, is effective against internal parasites and worms, lowers high blood pressure and is used for depression, stress and nervous disorders. If there ever was a single example that makes it dramatically clear why the existence of Health Sciences Institute is so vital to Americans like you, it's the incredible story behind the Graviola tree. The truth is stunningly simple: Deep within the Amazon Rainforest grows a tree that could literally revolutionize what you, your doctor, and the rest of the world thinks about cancer treatment and chances of survival. The future has never looked more promising. Research shows that with extracts from this miraculous tree it now may be possible to: * Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause extreme nausea, weight loss and hair loss * Protect your immune system and avoid deadly infections * Feel stronger and healthier throughout the course of the treatment * Boost your energy and improve your outlook on life The source o f this information is just as stunning: It comes from one of America 's largest drug manufacturers, the fruit of over 20 laboratory tests conducted since the 1970's! What those tests revealed was nothing short of mind numbing... Extracts from the tree were shown to: * Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer.. * The tree compounds proved to be up to 10,000 times stronger in slowing the growth of cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug! * What's more, unlike chemotherapy, the compound extracted from the Graviola tree selectivelyhunts down and kills only cancer cells. It does not harm healthy cells! The amazing anti-cancer properties of the Graviola tree have been extensively researched--so why haven't you heard anything about it? If Graviola extract is as half as promising as it appears to be--why doesn't every single oncologist at every major hospital insist on using it on all his or her patients? The spine-chilling answer illustrates just how easily our health--and for many, our very lives(!)--are controlled by money and power. Graviola--the plant that worked too well One of America 's biggest billion-dollar drug makers began a search for a cancer cure and their research centered on Graviola, a legendary healing tree from the Amazon Rainforest. Variou s parts of the Graviola tree--including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit and fruit-seeds--have been used for centuries by medicine men and native Indians in South America to treat heart disease, asthma, liver problems and arthritis. Going on very little documented scientific evidence, the company poured money and resources into testing the tree's anti-cancerous properties--and were shocked by the results. Graviola proved itself to be a cancer-killing dynamo. But that's where the Graviola story nearly ended. The company had one huge problem with the Graviola tree--it's completely natural, and so, under federal law, not patentable. There's no way to make serious profits from it. It turns out the drug company invested nearly seven years trying to synthesize two of the Graviola tree's most powerful anti-cancer ingredien ts. If they could isolate and produce man-made clones of what makes the Graviola so potent, they'd be able to patent it and make their money back. Alas, they hit a brick wall. The original simply could not be replicated. There was no way the company could protect its profits--or even make back the millions it poured into research. As the dream of huge profits evaporated, their testing on Graviola came to a screeching halt. Even worse, the company shelved the entire project and chose not to publish the findings of its research! Luckily, however, there was one scientist from the Graviola research team whose conscience wouldn't let him see such atrocity committed. Risking his career, he contacted a company that's dedicated to harvesting medical plants from the Amazon Rainforest and blew the whistle. Miracle unleashed When researchers at the Health Sciences Institute were alerted to the news of Graviola, they began tracking the research done on the cancer-killing tree. Evidence of the astounding effectiveness of Graviola--and its shocking cover-up--came in fast and furious.... ....The National Cancer Institute performed the first scientific research in 1976. The results showed that Graviola's "leaves and stems were found effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells." Inexplicably, the results were published in an internal report and never released to the public... ...Since 1976, Graviola has proven to be an immensely potent cancer killer in 20 independent laboratory tests, yet no double-blind clinical trials--the typical benchmark mainstream doctors and journals use to judge a treatment's value- -were ever initiated.. A study published in the Journal of Natural Products, following a recent study conducted at Catholic University of South Korea stated that one chemical in Graviola was found to selectively kill colon cancer cells at "10,000 times the potency of (the commonly used chemotherapy drug) Adriamycin..." .....The most significant part of the Catholic University of South Korea report is that Graviola was shown to selectively target the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched. Unlike chemotherapy, which indiscriminately targets all actively reproducing cells (such as stomach and hair cells), causing the often devastating side effects of nausea and hair loss in cancer patients. ...A study at Purdue University recently found that leaves from the Graviola tree killed cancer cells among six human cell lines and were especially effective against prostate, pancreatic and lung cancers... Seven years of silence broken--it's finally here! A limited supply of Graviola extract, grown and harvested by indigenous people in Brazil , is finally available in America . The full Graviola Story--including where you can get it and how to use it--is included in Beyond Chemotherapy: New Cancer Killers, Safe as Mother's Milk, a Health Sciences Institute FREE special bonus report on natural substances that will effectively revolutionize the fight against cancer. From breakthrough cancer and heart research and revolutionary Amazon Rainforest herbology to world-leading anti-aging research and nutritional medicine, every monthly Health Sciences Institute Member's Alert puts in your hands today cures the rest of America --including your own doctor(!)--is likely to find out only ten years from now.
I was drinking soy milk, using tofu, etc., till I read that it blocks my Synthroid (I have hypothyrodism.) Yes, I know, there are lots of natural treatments for hypothyrodism, but my daily pill serves me well. Also, anyone who does take thyroid meds, I just learned after 25 years not to consume dairy for 4 hours after taking the med! Probably been blocking the pill for years! I have been feeling better from the thyroid med since I learned this, but I miss my CA oJ and cereal w milk; maybe I should look into a nondairy milk if there is such a thing that isn't soy.
Prayers lawsonjr
This is a great article. It motivates us to make proactive changes to our diet since it tells us the science behind these superfoods. I love it and so will my dad!
Sorry for the typo: through should be thorough. As I am new to this site, I felt still a bit awkward using the comment section...
This excellent nutritional advice was not unknown to me and since long what is recommended here forms a major part of my diet and I seem to have solid success with it. But, like already one person commenting here has done, I would take some serious exception to the too uncritical recommendation of soy. The advice on soy would need to offer much more details on the pros and cons of soy use, in which form and its more indirect effects, that are not always positive, to the contrary. Especially these days with highly (and much too much!) processed food products. In one word: bad quality and not natural. I would recommend to each one here to have a more through look into the whole matter. It can be found on the site Mercola.com. I personally subscribe to their fantastic daily newsletter
Has anyone ever heard of the benefits of the fruit mangosteen? A product called Xango (Provides the whole fruit) might be worth looking into. Studies have been done or are in the process including Mayoclinic and I believe through Princeton
Marijuana has been Proven to fight Cancer , The USA has Known this since 1975. They Tested it on mice and found these results .. http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html?playerId=011008&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=10301836&referralPlaylistId=playlist
how much watercrees should we eat a day?
Hugs helen reingardt
Prayers helen reingardt
any infor on psoriasis
So much of the nutrition this article mentions can be found in Seven+, the worlds first drink to combine all seven super fruits, as well as blueberries, pomegranetes, and aloe vera! The antioxidant content is rediculous! Anyone interested in learning more about looking after your health with seven+ should check our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=124023302902&topic=12139#/group.php?gid=124023302902&ref=nf
Great & informative article! Well written, easily read & understandable! I did know most of them, but enjoyed knowing WHAT exactly it is in each of these foods that helps fight cancer growth. Now I just need to write them down & keep them where I can SEE them on a regular basis to remind myself to include them at every chance I can!
Hugs Paul du Jour
Great information! I'm a 1-year breast cancer survivor and have been trying to change the eating habits for my whole family. However, on the soy issue, my surgeon told me that I can't add large amounts of soy to my diet, because the 4 cancers in my breast were all hormone-sensitive, and the plant hormones in soy are extremely similar to body hormones. I can eat a little, he said, but I can't make it a major part of my diet. Glad to have the info on the other foods--fortunately I already like them, and now I have proof to show my kids (9 and 11) that this stuff really IS good for them!!
Have any studies been done with this product for people with AIDS?
very informative.
Prayers susiegal
Great Article - we all need to eat healthier, stop with the boxed and packaged stuff. One great product out is MonaVie. It is the only company who has a patent on processing this Acai Berry to hold 98% of its nutritional value. It also has Resveratrol. It's a convenient way to get the nutritional value of 13 servings of fruit a day. So if you don't eat the right foods, MonaVie is a solution to help. I've done my homework and research, it is an amazing product. www.thegreatproduct.com/acaiequalshealth