Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Cancer and How to Protect yourself!

Cancer. The thought of fighting for your life is enough to keep you up at night. Especially if it runs in your family. But you’re not helpless; you can take action.

Studies show certain nutrients help prevent cancer. I’ve put together some of the top cancer blockers:

Quercetin protects against lung, skin and prostate cancers. A study in the journal Carcinogenesis found quercetin could stop cancer-causing changes in prostate cells. It flushes away carcinogens and can block tumor development and growth. The most quercetin is in onions, apples, peppers, berries, grapes, tomatoes, black tea and garlic.

Catechins can prevent tumors in almost every organ in your body, from your esophagus and stomach to your colon and liver — even your breasts. They fight tissue-attacking free radicals and protect your cells against tumor development and growth.

In fact, studies show they can reduce your cancer risk between 30% and 60%. Substitute your morning cup of coffee for a mug of catechin-rich green or black tea a couple times a week.

Folate can protect against a dozen different cancers.1 Vegetables with the highest folate content are dark, leafy greens like spinach, kale and romaine lettuce. But, your body only absorbs half of the folate you consume, so taking a supplement is a very good idea.

The supplement form of folate is folic acid. Most multivitamins contain folic acid. Check yours to make sure it has at least 400 mcg. You should be certain to take it if you've had cancer or are at risk.

Carotenoids. These five cancer fighters are alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthin. These colorful ‘fab five' can protect against breast cancer2, prostate, colon, bladder, pancreas, skin, lung, colon3, and cervical cancers.4

I recommend a minimum of 6 mg a day of each carotenoid. The best way is to eat more orange, red and yellow fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes, cantaloupe, peaches, oranges, and yellow, orange or red peppers are good sources. And when you're on the go, drink vegetable juices instead of fruit juices or sodas.

You can also take a mixed carotenoid supplement. I recommend doubling the dose on the bottle if you have suffered cancer or have an increased family risk for the disease. For best results, store them in your fridge and take them with food.

If you have cancer, there are new breakthrough ways to treat it.

My colleagues at Health Sciences Institute are mavericks in the cancer field. Many of these natural solutions enhance traditional treatment, and they may just make cancer disappear. In this book, you'll find at least a dozen of the most effective alternative cancer treatments available today.

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