It's National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and there are plenty of ways to raise awareness and contribute to research, from fund-raising walks to pink products. But you can also start fighting cancer right in your kitchen! I'd invite you to add these four cancer-fighting eats to your regular regimen (and cut back on the last one) this month. Then check out the Women's Cancer Handbook for more ways to keep cancer at bay.
Four foods that fight cancer . . .
Skim Milk: Have two servings of nonfat or lowfat dairy daily. Calcium may bind to potential cancer-causing acids in the colon and stunt cancer growth by reducing cell multiplication in the colon lining.
Garlic: Cook up a storm with this pungent aromatic! Cloves contain allyl sulfide, a compound that has been shown to prevent the formation and growth of colon tumors. Add diced garlic to salsa and sauces.
Carrots: Fill your produce drawer with colorful peppers, carrots and tomatoes. Yellow, orange and red foods contain antioxidants called carotenoids, which protect your cells against free radical damage.
Oatmeal: Really, any high-fiber food will do. These eats increase the amount of waste and the speed with which it moves through the colon, possibly reducing the lining's contact with carcinogens, Dr. Willett says. Go for whole grains, beans and veggies.
And one to cut back on . . .
Red and processed meats: Fear not, steak lovers. You can have two 8-ounce servings of lean, unprocessed red meat a week. But try to stick to that amount. Red meat's heme iron can make cells grow and multiply faster, while processed meats have cancer-causing nitrates.
by... Erin Hobday
