The Cancer Project is a collaborative effort of physicians, researchers, and nutritionists who have joined together to educate individuals, families, and the public on the benefits of a healthy diet for cancer prevention and survival. The Cancer Project provides comprehensive educational materials, conducts clinical research studies, and publicizes the value of a healthy diet in cancer prevention and survival.
“Healthy Eating For Life” is a free booklet that shows how dietary changes (with emphasis on switching to a vegetarian diet) have a preventive effect on many types of cancer. While it has not been proved conclusively, studies of vegetarians show that death rates from cancer are only about one-half to three-quarters of those of the general population.
While I personally do not believe that just switching to a vegetarian diet is the answer to cancer, adding more fruits, vegetables and whole grains while reducing some fatty animal products like red-meat will definitely create a more balanced food-plate at the table. It is also worthy of note that no animal products contain any fiber (that is an exclusive from the plant kingdom!).
The booklet begins with a startling revelation: about 35-60% of cancers are caused by diet-related factors and even as early as 1892, Scientific American printed the observation that “cancer is most frequent among those branches of the human race where carnivorous habits prevail.” Also described are various types of cancers and possible prevention methods.
You are then introduced to the 4 main food groups of a vegetarian diet: vegetables, whole grains, fruits and legumes, followed by a few general tips toward cancer prevention, including:
- Do not use tobacco in any form.
- Eat a varied menu of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans, without added fats, that supplies generous amounts of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and derives less than 10 percent of its calories from fat.
You are also provided with easy steps to begin the conversion process to vegetarianism (although I still believe a healthy mix of all types of food is key) and finally my favorite section: recipes of mouth-watering dishes like Spaghetti Balls and Quick Bean Burritos.
You can either order the free booklet or simply download it (PDF: 900KB) and read it right away.
Remember: when it comes to cancer, atleast for now, prevention most definitely is the cure!
Be Healthy.
[tags]health, nutrition, cancer[/tags]
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I’ve heard that every body has cancer cells and its the foods we eat that cause them to become prevalent in our bodies… scary!
Thanks for a great article that brings attention to the fact that we really do need to think about what we eat!