Day 98: Foods to Fight Cancer

With Bella’s cancer I have been thinking about the super foods, you know the ones that “they” say can help fight cancer.  Veggies top the list, but what are the best to eat?  I did a little research:

All the veggies in the cruciferous family (cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage)are good but one in particular is said to be the best of the bunch.  Broccoli. These vegetables all contain a cancer-fighting compound called sulforaphane, which is supposed to flush out cancer causing chemicals.  Broccoli, however, contains a super dose of sulforaphane giving it the best cancer fighting bang for your buck.  Broccoli can help you fight, or stave off, the following cancers: Breast, Liver, Lung, Prostate, Skin, Stomach, and Bladder.

Berries are next.  We have been told that blue berries can help but new findings say that black raspberries are the best.  It’s based around high concentrations of a chemical called anthocyanins which has been shown to slow the growth and cancer cells as well as new blood vessels that would feed cancerous tumors.  Researchers fed rats a known cancer-causing chemical and after 20 weeks rats that ate a diet of 10% black raspberries had a significant reduction in oral, esophageal, and colon cancers.  According to the researchers, “the berries prevented the entire spectrum of tumors from being initiated.” Berries help you fight: Colon, Esophageal, Oral, and Skin Cancers.

For years now we have heard of lycopene to help fight cancer and where do you find the largest concentration of lycopene?  Tomatoes. According to researchers the best source of lycopene is found in the carotenoid that gives tomatoes their red coloring.  Tomatoes help fight: Lung, Stomach, and Prostate cancer.

There is one food that has been proven to block estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells and that food is walnuts.  In particular it is the cholesterol-like molecule called phytosterals that it turns out is so good for us.  Studies have shown that consuming an ounce a day gives you the best benefits of this super food.  In facts nuts in general (almonds, walnuts, and pecans) not only help fight cancers they also assist in lowering your cholesterol giving them the one, two punch of helping not only fight cancer but heart disease as well.  Proven in helping fight: Breast and Prostate cancer.

Those are just some of the foods that are the most beneficial.  In addition garlic, black beans, and fish oil, have all proven to be cancer fighters. 

Now to today’s exercise.  We are facing a forecast of non-stop rain, so when there was a break in the clouds we attacked the yard for our exercise.  With the help of my trusty orange Husqvarna mower I obliterated the mini jungle taking over my back yard while Kelly tended to the garden and vigorously weeding before the rain moved back in.

Daily Recap:

Matt: 45 minutes mowing the grass

Kelly: 45 minutes of laborious yard work

Isabella update:  She did well today showing more of her old personality especially when Kelly’s parents came over.  It’s obvious that her ankle is bothering her but not enough to stop her from jumping around and trying to snatch her stuffed animals away from you.  We had an incident that I discussed with the vet and he assured me that it was more than likely do to her age if we removed the cancer issue.  That is all for now.