I learnt some interesting facts from the article entitled 'Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: Answers to Common Questions' by the American cancer Society:
1. Antioxidants help to prevent damage to cells in the body from chemical reactions with oxygen. So far, studies of antioxidant vitamin or mineral supplements have not found that they reduce cancer risk. The best advice at this time is to get antioxidants through foods rather than supplements. Many cancer doctors advise against taking higher doses of antioxidant supplements during chemotherapy or radiation. There is a concern that the antioxidants might repair the damage to cancer cells that helps these cancer treatments work.
2. Soy foods are an excellent source of protein and can be a good option for meals without meat. For the breast cancer survivor, current research finds no special benefits or harmful effects when no more than 3 servings of soy are eaten per day as part of a healthy diet. But higher doses of soy may have estrogen-like effects, and higher levels of estrogens can cause certain breast cancers to grow and spread. For this reason, it is best for breast cancer survivors to avoid the high doses that are found in more concentrated sources such as soy powders and isoflavone supplements.
3. There is evidence that certain types of fat, such as saturated fats, may increase cancer risk. There is little evidence that other types of fat, such as mono-unsaturated fats (in canola and olive oil, olives, avocados, nuts and seeds) or polyunsaturated fats (including omega-3 fatty acids in fish and walnuts) reduce cancer risk.
4. Studies have linked eating large amounts of red meat and processed meats (like bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats) with increased risk of colorectal, prostate, and stomach cancers. Some research suggests that frying, broiling, or grilling meats at very high temperatures creates chemicals that might increase the risk of some types of cancer.
5. It is commonly thought that organic foods may be more healthful because they reduce exposure to certain chemicals. It has also been suggested that their nutrient makeup may be better than non-organic foods. Whether this means health benefits to those who eat organic foods is unknown.
6. During and after cancer treatment, there is a probable benefit of taking a standard multiple vitamin and mineral supplement that contains about 100% of the Daily Values because during these times it may be hard to eat a diet with enough of these nutrients. The use of very large doses of vitamins, minerals, and other supplements is not recommended because evidence exists that some high-dose supplements may increase cancer risk.
7. In most studies, eating more vegetables and fruits has been linked with a lower risk of lung, esophagus, stomach, and colon cancer. Cancer survivors should get at least 5 servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits each day.
8. Juicing can add variety to the diet and can be a good way to get vegetables and fruits, especially for those who have trouble chewing or swallowing. Juicing also helps the body absorb some of the nutrients in vegetables and fruits. But juices may be less filling than whole vegetables and fruits and contain less fiber. And drinking a lot of fruit juice can add extra calories to a person's diet. Buy juice products that are 100% vegetable or fruit juices and pasteurized to remove harmful germs.
1. Antioxidants help to prevent damage to cells in the body from chemical reactions with oxygen. So far, studies of antioxidant vitamin or mineral supplements have not found that they reduce cancer risk. The best advice at this time is to get antioxidants through foods rather than supplements. Many cancer doctors advise against taking higher doses of antioxidant supplements during chemotherapy or radiation. There is a concern that the antioxidants might repair the damage to cancer cells that helps these cancer treatments work.
2. Soy foods are an excellent source of protein and can be a good option for meals without meat. For the breast cancer survivor, current research finds no special benefits or harmful effects when no more than 3 servings of soy are eaten per day as part of a healthy diet. But higher doses of soy may have estrogen-like effects, and higher levels of estrogens can cause certain breast cancers to grow and spread. For this reason, it is best for breast cancer survivors to avoid the high doses that are found in more concentrated sources such as soy powders and isoflavone supplements.
3. There is evidence that certain types of fat, such as saturated fats, may increase cancer risk. There is little evidence that other types of fat, such as mono-unsaturated fats (in canola and olive oil, olives, avocados, nuts and seeds) or polyunsaturated fats (including omega-3 fatty acids in fish and walnuts) reduce cancer risk.
4. Studies have linked eating large amounts of red meat and processed meats (like bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats) with increased risk of colorectal, prostate, and stomach cancers. Some research suggests that frying, broiling, or grilling meats at very high temperatures creates chemicals that might increase the risk of some types of cancer.
5. It is commonly thought that organic foods may be more healthful because they reduce exposure to certain chemicals. It has also been suggested that their nutrient makeup may be better than non-organic foods. Whether this means health benefits to those who eat organic foods is unknown.
6. During and after cancer treatment, there is a probable benefit of taking a standard multiple vitamin and mineral supplement that contains about 100% of the Daily Values because during these times it may be hard to eat a diet with enough of these nutrients. The use of very large doses of vitamins, minerals, and other supplements is not recommended because evidence exists that some high-dose supplements may increase cancer risk.
7. In most studies, eating more vegetables and fruits has been linked with a lower risk of lung, esophagus, stomach, and colon cancer. Cancer survivors should get at least 5 servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits each day.
8. Juicing can add variety to the diet and can be a good way to get vegetables and fruits, especially for those who have trouble chewing or swallowing. Juicing also helps the body absorb some of the nutrients in vegetables and fruits. But juices may be less filling than whole vegetables and fruits and contain less fiber. And drinking a lot of fruit juice can add extra calories to a person's diet. Buy juice products that are 100% vegetable or fruit juices and pasteurized to remove harmful germs.
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