Watching a loved one suffer from cancer can be one of the hardest things that can ever happen to you. But no one knows that better than Dr. Amy Smith-Morris, who is a cancer pharmacist and cancer survivor.
Dr. Amy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age of 30, right after she returned from her honeymoon in Italy.
When she started undergoing chemotherapy, she live-streamed her treatments answering viewer questions.
Since then, she has continued to share her experiences through various social media channels.
Later, Dr. Amy decided to help women with cancer by founding the Cancer Freedom Program, which is a group program for female cancer survivors to:
Feel at home in their post-cancer body by increasing energy levels, losing forced menopause weight, and decreasing hot flashes.
Dr. Amy says you can completely recover from cancer. “I’m living proof!” She’s been helping thousands of women who’ve been diagnosed with cancer—to beat it!
“I’ve discovered exactly what you need for recovery, remission and radical weight loss,” claims Dr. Amy.
Dr. Amy says: Of course, you want to do everything in your power to stay cancer free. Whether you are newly diagnosed, a long-term survivor, or high risk for developing cancer.
“The food that you eat matters!”
You know your food makes a huge difference. You don’t want to miss out on these 12 foods that could keep your cancer free.
The food you eat matters! Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with cancer, years out from your cancer treatment, or even if you’re at high risk of developing cancer.
We know that the foods that you eat matters! When it comes to cancer, you can either fuel your cancer through your food, or use your food to help fight against cancer.
You need to get started with these 12 Foods that will help cancer cells die:
- BERRIES
Berries have long been established to protect against a variety of cancers. Mainly because, they’re rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber.
It’s the higher level of antioxidants and fiber in berries that truly lower your risk of cancer.
If you’re at a high risk of developing cancer, or if you want to prevent a cancer recurrence, then start including more berries into your diet right away.
NOTE: Here are some berries you should include in your diet: Strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, blackberry, and more.
If you can eat them [berries] fresh, then that would be best. However, even frozen berries are a great option as well, according to Dr. Amy.
- CITRUS FRUITS
Dr. Amy: As a cancer survivor, we know that your body has been under ‘oxidative stress’ for a very long time. Before you even knew you had cancer, your body was fighting off cancer cells.
Having low antioxidant levels is a huge concern, because your immune system is going to be compromised.
With low antioxidant levels, you’re more likely to catch the common cold or flu. You’re also more likely to have a cancer recurrence; but keeping your antioxidant levels up will help lower your risk of cancer.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: An antioxidant is a substance that prevents or slows down the damage caused by oxygen or other harmful substances in your body.
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, are full of these antioxidants. Antioxidants like vitamin C, which can help boost up your antioxidants and support your immune system.
These antioxidants have also been shown to be particularly helpful in cancers like stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, and colorectal cancer.
- GARLIC
Garlic contains compounds known as organosulfides. These compounds have been associated with decreasing the risk of certain types of cancers.
Commonly, garlic is used as a supplement among cancer survivors. Organosulfur compounds incorporated into your diet can lower your risk of cancer.
- TOMATOES
Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant that helps lower your risk of cancer.
According to Healthline, this plant nutrient gives fruits like tomatoes and grapefruit their color.
It’s also been linked to improved heart health, sunburn prevention (damaging effects of the sun), and protection against certain cancers. Here are more benefits of Lycopene:
- Eyesight health: Lycopene may prevent or delay the formation of cataracts and reduce your risk of macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in older adults.
- Pain reduction: Lycopene may help reduce neuropathic pain, a type of pain caused by nerve and tissue damage.
- Brain health: Lycopene’s antioxidant properties may help prevent seizures and memory loss experienced in age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
- Stronger bones: Lycopene’s antioxidant action may slow down the death of bone cells, reinforce bone architecture and help keep bones healthy and strong.
- CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES
The cruciferous family of vegetables have generated a lot of interest in the health world. These are vegetables like kale, broccoli, cauliflower, or even brussels sprouts.
Here are more of these cancer-fighting vegetables that you may want to add to your diet:
- Arugula
- Bok Choy (Choi)
- Collard Greens
- Chard
- Watercress
- Cabbage
- Mustard Greens
- Turnip Greens
- Wasabi, and more
These vegetables include compounds called glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are organic compounds that contain sulfur and nitrogen, which are derived from glucose and an amino acid.
Studies show that cultures that eat higher amounts of fiber have been proven to have lower rates of cancer.
That is in part because plant-based foods contain phytochemicals, the nutrients that your immune system needs to fight off diseases like cancer.
Fiber not only keeps you feeling full longer, but it helps you lower your cholesterol, stabilize your blood sugar levels, and manage your bowels.
- LEAFY GREEN VEGETABLES
Leafy green vegetables are veggies like spinach, kale, swiss chard, or other types of leafy green veggies.
These foods are packed with antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C, which are all going to protect you against cancer cells.
“Dark leafy greens” are among the healthiest because their rich/deep green color indicates a high level of antioxidants. While there isn’t necessarily just one type of green veggie that is the best, some of the richest in nutrients include:
- Watercress
- Mustard greens
- Dandelion greens
- Collard greens
- Turnip greens
- Beet greens
- Bok choy
Dr. Amy: If you want to take a step forward and reduce the risk of cancer, then you have to eat more healthy leafy green vegetables.
- GREEN TEA (Flavonoids)
Green Tea is thought to have many anti-cancer properties. It’s specifically been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer.
Green tea is also very beneficial in recovering from chemo brain. So, if you’re struggling with brain fog or mental clarity after cancer, then this is actually a great option for you.
Many women find that they’re unable to multitask, focus in conversations, or they can’t quite recall facts as quickly as they could before cancer. This is often the result of what’s commonly referred to as chemo brain.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: Chemo brain is a common term used by cancer survivors to describe thinking and memory problems that can occur during and after cancer treatment.
It is also referred to as chemo fog, cancer-related cognitive impairment or cognitive dysfunction, according to research.
So, we want to increase the amount of flavonoids in your diet, and green tea is an excellent source of flavonoids.
That means, you should start adding a cup of decaf green tea into your daily routine, advises Dr. Amy.
Flavonoids are found in many fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. It promotes several health effects, such as:
- Promotes cardiovascular health
- Helps prevention of cancer development and growth
- Fights viral and bacterial infections
- Promotes brain cognitive functions
- Reduces allergic reactions
- SEEDS and NUTS
Most people have no idea how important seeds and nuts are for nutrition. Things like almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, and more are high in protein.
These types of foods give you healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants.They also offer a ton of nutrition in just a little bite.
Here are more seeds and nuts you might want to add to your diet:
- Macadamia nuts
- Pecans
- Peanuts
- Sunflower seeds
- Hazelnuts
- Cashews
- Pine nuts
- Pistachios
NOTE: Nuts and seeds come in many varieties. Although most nuts and seeds have a high oil content, they are high protein foods that provide “good fats” such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
- FATTY FISH
Fatty fish is another food to include in your diet. These are fish like salmon, herring, swordfish, tuna, mackerel, sardines, and more.
They contain high levels of Omega-3s, and healthy fats known to lower the risk of cancer, especially breast cancer.
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fat that your body needs for many functions. They have many health benefits for your body and brain, such as:
- Improving your mood and mental health.
- Supporting your eye health and vision.
- Promoting brain development and function in infants and children.
- Reducing inflammation and chronic diseases.
- Protecting your heart and blood vessels.
According to Dr. Amy, you should start eating more fatty fish. At least once a week, and then eventually move up to twice a week.
- BEANS and LEGUMES
Beans and legumes have consistently been shown to lower your risk of cancer. Yet hardly, anyone’s eating them.
These beans and legumes include things like Black beans, lentils, or chickpeas.
Not only are beans and legumes high in fiber and known to lower your risk of cancer, but they also include compounds that are specifically shown to lower the risk of colorectal cancer.
Commonly eaten worldwide, beans and legumes are rich sources of fiber, essential vitamins, minerals, and plant-based protein. Here are 9 health benefits of beans and legumes:
1. High protein
2. Folate (Folic Acid)
3. Antioxidants
4. Promote heart health
5. Cancer risk reduction
6. Diabetes/Glucose metabolism
7. Fatty liver prevention
8. Appetite control
9. Gut health improvement
Now, based on the benefits of eating beans and legumes, it’s more of an incentive to include this food into your daily meals.
- WHOLE GRAINS
One of the biggest health benefits of whole grains is that they lower your risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide.
According to research, whole grains are high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. By including whole grains into your daily meals, you’ll be helping to prevent cancer.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: Whole grains are packed with nutrients including protein, fiber, B vitamins, antioxidants, and trace minerals (iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium).
Eating whole grains has many health benefits. These many benefits include:
- High in nutrients and fiber
- Lowering your risk of heart disease
- Lowering your risk of stroke
- Reducing your risk of obesity
- Lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes
- TURMERIC CIRCUMIN
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. And, it’s widely known to reduce several different types of cancer.
According to scientific studies, turmeric has the potential to prevent and treat cancer by reducing inflammation, which is at the root of many diseases, including cancer.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: Turmeric or Curcuma longa, is a flowering plant in the “ginger” family. It has been used in Indian cuisine for over 4000 years. It wasn’t just essential to their food, but an integral part of their history, their culture, and of their lives.
Animal and lab studies show that turmeric can help prevent cancer growth and kill certain cancer cells, but it’s currently uncertain that it has the same effect in humans. Although, many researchers believe it does contain cancer-fighting properties.
Bottom Line
Cancer can be one of the hardest things that can ever happen to you or your loved ones. No one knows that better than the cancer pharmacist, Dr. Amy Smith-Morris, who is also a cancer survivor.
Although there’s no cure for cancer, Dr. Amy wants to help you do everything in your power to stay cancer free. Whether you are newly diagnosed, a long-term survivor, or high risk for developing cancer.
“Your food makes a huge difference,” according to the cancer pharmacist, Dr. Amy. “The food you eat matters!”
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