Eating to Fight Cancer

I believe fighting cancer with food really does make a difference in the outcome.

It's not as hard as you might think to make meals that include cancer fighting ingredients.

It makes you feel as though you are doing your part to help someone you love fight for their lives.

According to the American Cancer Society, cancer kills 292,540 men and 269,800 women each year. It's the second leading cause of death. That being said, as more people are being affected by cancer they're turning to 'alternative' therapies and treatments. They're not taking it anymore and are looking for answers, better answers. Some of those answers rest in cancer-fighting herbs.

Here are five herbs commonly used to fight cancer:

1. Ginger - Ginger has been studied and used to fight colon cancer. The main ingredient in ginger, gingerol, has been shown to significantly reduce cancerous tumors in mice. In addition to its tumor-reduction potential, ginger is also used to quell nausea for chemotherapy patients. It's an herb with many wonderful qualities.

2. astralagus - This herb, also known as Huang ch'i, has been studied as a cancer-fighting agent due to its ability to boost the immune system. Studies have shown it can increase cancer-killing cells by as much as 260%. However, this particular herb also has some side effects including low blood pressure, light-headedness and fatigue.

3. Green tea - Green tea, tea leaves that have been steamed and dried without fermenting, has been shown to slow the division of lung and colon cancer cells. While study results have been primarily positive, the National Cancer Institute is studying green tea to further determine the effects of green tea on cancer. Green tea also offers antioxidants, which are excellent at supporting the immune system and optimizing overall health.

4. Iscador - An extract from European mistletoe, iscador contains lectins, which are theorized to kill cancer cells. While some studies have shown iscador improves survival rates, other studies have found little or no effect. A Swiss study did show, however, that iscador more than doubled the rate of DNA repair in twelve out of fourteen breast cancer patients. One drawback to this herb is that there are risks of poisoning and overuse or overdosage, and thus it should only be taken with a doctor's supervision.

5. Barbed skullcap tea - The Chinese medicinal herb ban zhi lian, also called Scutellaria barbata, is a tea which has been used to help treat lung, liver and rectal cancer. It has also been shown to slow prostate tumor growth in mice. Although studies haven't been conducted on humans, this herb shows promise for the treatment of cancer.

Herbal healing has been used for centuries by cultures around the world to treat illnesses both mild and severe. Nature has provided us with a very powerful medicine cabinet. As scientists continue to study their safety and effectiveness, it's only a matter of time before scientists discover more cancer-fighting herbs. For now, these five show amazing promise to both help fight and potentially prevent cancer.

Adapted from "Cooking with Foods That Fight Cancer". This is a delicious chili recipe that I just tried. I skipped the ground beef and, in my opinion it was just as good without it. This is a perfect slow cooker recipe and it also freezes very well.

Olive Oil
2 onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves
1 red pepper, cubed small
1 green pepper, cubed small
1/2 lb lean ground beef
1 1/2 tbsp chili seasoning
1/2 tsp ground cumin
Salt and freshly ground pepper
540ml (2 1/4 cups) can red kidney beans
1 cup rice
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup water
540ml (2 1/4 cups) can stewed canned tomatoes

1- Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven. Saute the onions, garlic, and peppers over medium-high heat.
2- Add the meat and cook, stirring often.
3- In a small bowl, mix the seasoning and chili seasoning, cumin and 3 tbsp of water to obtain a paste. Transfer the paste to the Dutch oven and stir well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4- Add the beans, rice, tomato sauce, water, and the tomatoes. Cover and cook over low heat for 30 minutes without removing the cover.
5- Remove the cover, stir well, and continue cooking until desired thickness.

I will be adding a picture as soon as I make it again.

You'd like to believe your home is the safest place on earth however, there are many chemicals and gasses which are emitted from regular every day products that cause cancer. Below is a list of 7 potential cancer causers in your home.

#1 Air fresheners and deodorizers. Our homes can harbor many unpleasant smells. Whether it's the stinky gym shoes, the kitty litter box or the bathroom, we often get rid of those smells with air fresheners. However, fresheners often contain naphthalene and formaldehyde, two very toxic and cancer causing agent. There are wonderful natural fresheners, and essential oils or simply open the windows.

#2 Radon. Radon kills about 20,000 people a year. It's a primary cause of lung cancer and unfortunately it's an odorless, tasteless and invisible. Radon is produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water. Which means it can easily seep into your home through cracks in your foundation and drains. You can purchase tests at your local home store to test for radon or hire a professional to come out and make sure your home is radon free.

#3 Adhesives and paints. Epoxies, rubber cement, glues, acrylic paints, carpet adhesives, paint cleaning solvents markers and other art supplies often contain carcinogens. The good news is there are many environmentally friendly options today.

#4 Dry cleaning stores often use perchlorethylene, a known carcinogen, to clean clothing. If you cannot find an eco-friendly dry cleaner in your area, remove the plastic from the clothing and let them air out in a well-ventilated area before placing in your closet.

#5 Pesticides. Products like those flea and tick collars and even lice control products often use lindane-based pesticides to keep these creatures away. Lindane is a neurotoxin and a carcinogen - keep it out of your home and away from your pets and family.

#6 Asbestos. While asbestos is no longer used in home building products and insulation. If you have a home built before 1980 you may want to check to make sure you do not have it in your home. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer.

#7 Candles. Candles made from petroleum, as many scented candles are, release chemicals into the air. Many of these chemicals are known carcinogens including formaldehyde, toluene and benzene. A healthier, non-cancer causing, candle base would be beeswax or soy, which both burn fairly clean.

Cancer causing agents are all around us, however, due to increasing awareness of these chemicals healthier options are available. Take care to fill your home with safe, natural and environmentally conscious products. Your family, your body and your planet will thank you.

According to Foods That Fight Cancer: Preventing Cancer through Diet these are the top risk factors for cancer.

Other 1%
Pollution 2%
Drugs 2%
UV Ray Exposure 2%
Obesity and Lack of Exercise 5%
Alcohol 3%
Workplace Related Exposure 5%
Infection 5%
Hereditary Factors 15%
Smoking 30%

Poor Dietary Habits 30%

The more scientists study garlic, the more benefits they find come from eating it. For instance, did you know garlic can not only prevent cancer, but may also be able to help treat it? There are many benefits in this great little food.

Scientists have done various studies to determine why garlic can fight cancer so well. The main cancer fighting compound in garlic is a chemical called allicin. Allicin is what gives garlic its distinct smell; it also protects the garlic plant from organisms that may attack it. Allicin isn't the only anti-cancer chemical in garlic. Garlic also contains allicin-derived compounds, as well as other chemicals that aren't even related to allicin. That's what makes garlic so special; it contains a whole slew of compounds to fight off cancer and help keep you healthy.

If we compare cultures that have large amounts of garlic in their diet to cultures that get very little of these foods, we find that the cultures with higher garlic intake have less incidence of cancer. While we cannot definitively say that garlic is the cause of this difference, other studies have shown its preventative power. Studies have found increased garlic intake to be associate with a decreased chance of colon and stomach cancers. Another study found the garlic prevented rats from being purposely given esophageal cancer. We also know that garlic helps fight a wide variety of infectious diseases. This means our immune system has to fight microorganisms less and can focus on preventing cancer cells from growing.

There have been many studies in humans and animals that show garlic to help, not only with preventing cancer, but also treating it. It is considered most effective in fighting cancer of the stomach and esophagus because it helps to lower nitrite levels. Garlic has been proven to lower the death rate in stomach cancer patients. In studies of general cancer patients, garlic was found to cut tumor size in half in one study, and produce significant improvements of symptoms in over two-thirds of the patients in another study. While garlic should not be your only weapon in battling cancer, it can be a powerful tool to give you a leg-up in the fight.

Te benefits of garlic do depend on what kind of garlic you eat and how it is prepared. Most studies have found garlic to be equally effective whether it is raw or cooked; however, if you cook the garlic, wait at least 15 minutes after peeling before you cook it. You can also get the benefits from garlic power or compressed garlic oil. Don't rely on aged or spray dried garlic; they don't have the same benefits.

If used properly and regularly, garlic can be a powerful tool in preventing or treating various cancers.

Turmeric
Blueberries
Strawberries
Green tea
Soy beans
Tomatoes
Grapes
Citrus
Garlic

Cabbage, Brussell sprouts,
Cauliflower and broccoli are exceptionally effective
in the fight against cancer. These should be slightly cooked and well chewed for the anti-cancer properties to be properly absorbed.

A diet containing these foods is one of the strongest weapons in cancer prevention according to "Foods That Fight Cancer: Preventing Cancer through Diet
" by Dr. Richard Beliveau.

Adapted from "Cooking with Foods That Fight Cancer". This is my all time favorite recipe from this book. I usually top it off with some yellow or red peppers.

1 1/2 pounds pork fillets
10 oz very fresh greens

Marinade
Juice of one lime
2 tbsp Chinese soy sauce
2 tbsp dark brown sugar
2 or 3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp hot chili flakes
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp olive oil

Vinaigrette
1/2 c olive oil
1 tsp Chinese soy sauce
1 tsp rice wine vinegar
1 tsp fresh chives, finely chopped (I use dried or frozen)
Freshly ground pepper

Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a bowl.

Place the pork fillets in a ziploc bag and pour in the marinade. Seal the bag and shake to completely coat the meat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours, turning frequently.

Remove the fillets from the marinade. In a non stick skillet, sear the fillets on all sides over high heat. Remove and place on a rack over a shallow roasting pan.

Cook in the oven at 200C (400F) for approximately 35 minutes.

Mix the vinaigrette ingredients together in a bowl, pour over the mixed greens, and toss delicately to cover.

Slice the pork fillets into thin slices and serve on the bed of mixed greens.

I usually slice the pork before cooking and skip the oven cooking. I cook it completely in the skillet that way I can add the peppers in to cook at the same time.