Eating Better For Your Health. Where To Start?

I am so excited about what I get to share with you today.  As you probably know, nutrition and health are huge interests in my life, and I'm currently applying to the University of Alabama's Nutrition program. Since I technically don't have any real knowledge to share with you yet, today I have someone who does.

We all know that eating well is good for your health and well being, but sometimes it's hard to figure out where to start, and what exactly you should be eating to start reaping those health benefits!  Well, look no further. :)

photo source

David Haas is a researcher who writes about nutrition and how it helps prevent and improve the quality of life of cancer patients. Today, he's letting me share a recent article of his about specific foods you can introduce to your diet and start making a difference!

Nutrition Benefits for Cancer Patients

Dealing with cancer is a tremendous struggle, requiring all the help you can get. Your doctors are giving you the best treatment available, but some things are still within your control. Modern treatment for cancer usually leaves out one very important factor -- nutrition.

The latest research is highlighting the importance of a healthy diet when it comes to cancer. While good nutrition cannot guarantee a complete recovery from cancer, it can usually lead to a greater quality of life. If you eat healthy during your cancer treatment, you can expect to have more energy, improved sleep quality, and stronger immunity to diseases. Eating well has even been known to help with mesothelioma treatment side effects.

Let's examine a few types of foods you should consider introducing into your diet for their anti-cancer and overall health benefits.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids are fats found in plants that are vital to human health. And the modern diet is very lacking in them. They are able to reduce high blood pressure, lower your cholesterol, ease joint pain, fight skin ailments and wrinkles, and reduce the incidence of heart attacks. They can also boost your mood and improve your memory.

Omega 3's are healthier than other types of fat because they have the ability to lower cholesterol and reduce body inflammation. This is very important since recent research is revealing how important lowering inflammation is to preventing many disease processes. Inflammation is being implicated in a growing number of diseases.

DHA and EPA are omega 3 fatty acids that cannot be produced by our own bodies. Therefore, you must supplement to get them or eat food containing them. Fortunately, there are a good number of food sources, including flaxseed, walnuts, and soybeans. Many people prefer to get their omega 3's in the form of supplements. Krill oil capsules and fish oil capsules are two popular choices. Krill oil has the added benefit of containing astaxanthin -- a very powerful antioxidant found in fish like salmon.

Avocados

They are loaded with glutathione, a strong antioxidant that blocks certain fats from being absorbed by the intestines. This helps prevent the formation of free radicals. They also contain a greater amount of potassium than bananas, as well as vitamin E. Research also suggests that avocados can be used to treat viral hepatitis, one cause of liver cancer.

Beans

Beans contain compounds that seem to slow or halt cell genetic damage. This makes beans a good food for preventing most forms of cancer, but particularly prostate cancer. The high fiber found in beans has also been found to help lower the risk of developing cancers of the digestive tract.

Leafy Greens

Leafy green vegetables contain large amounts of antioxidants. These substances scour for dangerous free radicals -- molecules that can damage healthy cells. They are also high in folate, a vitamin that has been found to lower the risk of breast and lung cancer.

Mushrooms

There are certain mushrooms that seem to aid the body in fighting cancer. Among these are maitake, shiitake, reishi, Coriolus Versicolor, and Agaricus blazei Murill. Mushrooms that are medically active usually contain substances called beta-glucans. They are able to boost your immune system.

Mushrooms also contain a substance called lectin, which fights cancer cells and keeps them from multiplying. Some mushrooms can even produce a simulated form of interferon that fights cancer.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes have an ingredient called lycopene that is a potent antioxidant. It appears to be more available for absorption when it is processed. Lycopene has been found to kill cancer kills and is probably most effective in fighting cancers of the prostate, breast, stomach, and lung.

Turmeric

Turmeric is part of the ginger family of plants. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory that slows production of an inflammatory compound called COX-2. This compound plays a role in the development of cancer, particularly colon and bowel cancer. Turmeric can be eaten as a food and is also available as a nutritional supplement.

Whole Grains

Most of the bread we eat is from white flour, an unhealthy form of flour that has been bleached and processed to remove the natural fiber. Whole grain bread retains the nutrition and fiber that has been removed by processing. It promotes healthy weight, and it is known that being overweight contributes to your risk of developing cancer.

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It's official. I can no longer make excuses for avoiding salads! ;)  I hope you took something away from this article like I did.  Good luck getting healthy!