Dietician explains cancer and sugar link
While there’s no clear-cut solution that can guarantee a cancer-free lifetime, targeting one of the processes that can lead to the deadly condition could help.
Inflammation is a double-edged sword. It can pose as the body’s defence mechanism against foreign bacteria and viruses, but it can also spell trouble.
“Sometimes, however, chronic inflammatory cells can actually stimulate the cancer cells to grow,” said Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy.
She continued: “Reducing inflammation makes it a lot harder for cancers to grow.
“Lowering levels of chronic inflammation is one way of keeping healthy and trying to reduce the risk of cancer.”
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Research, published in the journal PLOS One, also suggested that following an anti-inflammatory diet could cut your risk of the deadly culprit.
Looking at over 100,000 participants, the research team found that adherence to this type of diet showed “small but statistically significant” reduction in cancer risk, notably gastric and lung cancer in men, the doctor explained.
Therefore, Dr Lee recommended the following foods to target inflammation as well as cut your risk of cancer.
Blueberries
Packed with phytochemicals that have strong ability to inhibit oxidative stress, known as anthocyanidins, blueberries could help prevent DNA damage and the creation of abnormal cancer cells.
Dr Lee said: “In laboratory studies on animals, blueberry chemicals have been shown to destroy breast cancer cells and reduce metastatic spread.”
The doctor recommended eating 140 grams of the fresh blue fruits per day to reap the benefits.
Oily fish
Rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, oily fish can help inhibit inflammatory cytokines which play a vital role in the inflammatory process.
Dr Lee said: “Studies have shown that a high intake of fatty fish is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.
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“However, the evidence for fish oil and cancer prevention overall is not strong, as other studies have not found the benefit.”
In case you aren’t aware, oily fish include the likes of salmon, trout, herring, mackerel, pilchards and sardines.
The doctor recommended eating two portions of the meat a week but warned not to overdo it.
“Fish also contain heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic,” she added.
Probiotics
Found in foods like kefir, tempeh, miso, kimchi or sourdough bread, probiotics describe live bacteria that are needed to keep your gut healthy.
Dr Lee said: “Some types of bacteria produce specific short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate and propionate which have cancer-suppressing properties.
“Other metabolites from bacteria may trigger the T-cell-mediated immune response against the development of cancer cells.”
To boost your gut health and probiotic intake, the doctor advised eating some of the foods listed above as a part of your regular diet.
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