To Your Health
December, 2007 (Vol. 01, Issue 12) |
|
|
8 Ways to Avoid Cancer
By Editorial Staff
Everyone dreads the "C" word. The unfortunate reality is that in the United States, approximately 3,400 people are diagnosed with cancer and an estimated 1,500 die each day. With 47 million uninsured people in the U.S. and countless others with insurance that doesn't cover cancer, you owe it to yourself to do everything you can to steer clear of these devastating diseases. Lung, prostate, colon and breast cancers are the most common causes of cancer deaths, accounting for more than half of the total cancer deaths among men and women. So consider these strategies for keeping cancer at bay, courtesy of msnbc.com.
Eat Blueberries
Aside from being a healthy and delicious snack, blueberries contain pterostilbene, which has important colon cancer-fighting properties. But wait, it gets better. Blueberries also offer a large dose of vitamin C (14 milligrams per cup). In a study of 42,340 men, those with the highest vitamin C intake were 50 percent less likely to develop premalignant oral lesions than men with the lowest intake. So at breakfast, try to incorporate a cup and a half of blueberries in your cereal or yogurt, or mixed with other berries.
Drink Pomegranate Juice
The deep red juice of the pomegranate contains polyphenols, isoflavones and ellagic acid, which together create a potent anticancer concoction. In previous studies, it has been shown to delay the growth of prostate cancer in mice, and it stabilizes PSA levels in men who have been treated for prostate cancer. Most recently, researchers from the University of Wisconsin at Madison have discovered that 16 ounces of pomegranate juice per day also may inhibit the growth of lung cancer.
Relax
Feeling stressed or worried? Find ways to relax and you may reduce your chances of developing cancer. Purdue University researchers tracked 1,600 men over 12 years and found that half of those with high levels of worry died during the study period. Only 20 percent of the optimists died before the study was completed, while 34 percent of the neurotic men died of some type of cancer. Instead of stressing about the past or future, focus on the present and relax!
