Most of us have been touched by cancer in some way. Even if you have not been diagnosed with cancer, there is a good chance that someone you care about has had to struggle with some form of this versatile and devastating disease. While the wide range of different mutations of cancer has made it difficult for medical experts to pinpoint the numerous potential sources of this disease, there is growing evidence that certain nutrients could have the ability to reduce the risk of many forms of cancer.
The good news is that experts have identified several vitamins, minerals and organic chemical compounds that could potentially protect your body’s cells from the degree of damage that can lead to cancer.
Conditions That May Contribute to Cancer
Experts have started to focus on a few conditions that could lay the groundwork for cancer: oxidative stress, inflammation and cellular damage.
Oxidative stress is the result of the free radical oxidant molecules that are produced by the metabolic process wherein your body breaks food down to be converted into energy. These molecules are all similar in that they are missing an electron, and they constantly try to steal an electron from stable molecules. Free radical oxidants are not harmful in the body when their population is in a normal range. In fact, they are essential to immune support and other processes and functions that are essential to whole body health. In high concentrations, however, these molecules can negatively impact comprehensive wellness throughout your body.
In addition to being byproducts of the metabolic process, these molecules can also be introduced to your body from external sources, making this balance even more difficult to maintain. Some of these sources include:
- Stress
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Environmental pollutants
- Too much exposure to the sun
On a less severe level, the chaotic environment in your body caused by the activity of too many free radicals leads to many of the natural symptoms of aging, including wrinkles, fine lines, spider veins, and sun spots. However, oxidative stress has also been connected to a wide range of more serious symptoms, including:
- Inflammation
- Cellular damage
- Respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Kidney disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Cancer
Leveling the Playing Field with Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatories
Antioxidant molecules neutralize free radicals by donating electrons to them. In doing so, they have the potential to protect your body from oxidative damage, inflammation, cellular damage, and more serious health conditions like cancer that can develop because of extensive oxidative stress.
Not only can oxidative stress lead to inflammation, but inflammation can also lead to an increase in free radical oxidants. In other words, these two conditions are so closely tied to one another that they can contribute to one another in a negative feedback loop relationship.
Fortunately, that also means that both conditions can be addressed by food- sourced nutrients with strong antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory properties.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is one of the most well known antioxidant nutrients and may be able to reduce the risk of several different types of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Some of the best sources of vitamin C include:
- Oranges
- Guava
- Strawberries
- Mangos
- Broccoli
- Red and green bell peppers
- Grapefruit
- Brussels sprouts
- Chili peppers
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Pineapple
- Black currants
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are plant-based nutrients, and they are also pigments that are responsible for the red, yellow and orange color of certain fruits and vegetables. Many carotenoids have also been known to possess strong antioxidant properties.
Beta-carotene is probably the most well known of these nutrients, and it can be found in dietary sources like carrots, spinach, squash, and sweet potatoes.
Lycopene is another carotenoid that has been recognized for having the potential to reduce cancer risk by providing the body with high concentrations of antioxidants. This phytonutrient can be found in foods like tomatoes, watermelon, red bell peppers, grapefruit, asparagus, papaya and mangoes.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These chain-like molecules are a healthy form of polyunsaturated fat that has long been recognized for possessing strong anti-inflammatory properties. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the two most bioactive types of omega 3, which is why they are the most common ingredients in fish oil supplements. EPA and DHA can be found in a wide variety of cold-water fish, including:
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Tuna
- Herring
- Mackerel
- Halibut
- Striped bass
Polyphenols
Polyphenols are a class of plant-based organic chemical compounds that have been utilized in Eastern medicine for centuries due to their strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Catechins, which are the primary active ingredient in green and black teas, have been identified as the source of this powerful antioxidant profile. Both green and black teas have long been a staple of Eastern medicine for their ability to support healthy inflammatory and oxidative responses.
Curcumin, another polyphenol, is the main active ingredient in a spice called turmeric and is even responsible for its golden color. Curcumin is the reason that turmeric has long been utilized in Eastern medicine to prevent and address a wide range of inflammatory conditions, including anxiety, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and gastrointestinal (GI) issues like colitis. A growing number of medical researchers also believe that this phytonutrient has the potential to prevent and slow the growth of cancer.
Discover EVEXIAS for Professional Grade Nutraceuticals
While these cancer-fighting nutrients can be found in a variety of food sources, it can be difficult to obtain all of these nutrients on a daily basis unless you eat the exact same foods every day. Professional grade nutraceutical products, like those carried by EVEXIAS Health Solutions, allow you to fill in the gaps if you think that you might not be getting enough of certain nutrients.
