March is National Nutrition Month, a campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that showcases the importance of a healthy diet. March also draws attention to colorectal and kidney cancers, as well as myeloma.
Cancer is becoming a worldwide epidemic, with more than eight million people dying from various forms of the disease each year, according to the American Cancer Society.
The Environmental Working Group, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that specializes in public health and corporate accountability, believes that diet plays a key role in the cancer battle. The EWG developed a simple eating regimen that may reduce the risk of cancer. Dubbed the Cancer Defense Diet, the plan places a strong emphasis on fruits, vegetables and unprocessed proteins like beans or low-mercury seafood.
More than half a million people in the US died from cancer in 2012, and a 2011 survey found that the disease is the leading cause of death in the western world.
"Theres a strong body of evidence that shows cancer risks are reduced among people who eat a diet focused on plant foods, keep calories under control, and minimize things like red and processed meats, added sugars and salt," Dr. Curt Della Valle, Ph.D. told us Thursday.
Della Valle is a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group and director of its Cancer Prevention Initiative.
"Weve tried to point out some specific foods that have shown the most promise in terms of being part of a diet that can lower cancer risk," Della Valle explained. "We also tackle the question of how how these foods can affect health. One important way is by helping to keep our cells behaving properly. Things like protecting against inflammation and unwanted cell division these are hallmarks of cancer."
The Cancer Defense Diet is part of a growing movement that's looking beyond traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy.
"The cancer industry is a multi-billion dollar business," Della Valle said. "What would happen to it if people realize they can prevent cancer through a healthy diet and lifestyle changes?"
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2008, one-third of cancers are caused by factors like "cigarette smoking, diet (fried foods, red meat), alcohol, sun exposure, environmental pollutants, infections, stress, obesity, and physical inactivity."
The study claimed that many cancers are preventable with lifestyle changes.
"...Most cancers are not of hereditary origin and that lifestyle factors...have a profound influence on their development," the study concluded.
How does the Cancer Defense Diet work? What foods are allowed/prohibited?
"Red and processed meats are clearly associated with risk of colorectal cancer," Della Valle explained. "Foods high in added sugar and salt these are generally foods that are highly processed - can also increase cancer, and other health risks, if eaten too frequently."
Alcohol should be consumed in moderation, and processed carbohydrates like potato chips, cookies, cakes and snacks should be eliminated or eaten only occasionally. More information on the Cancer Defense Diet can be found here.
Likewise, beware of so-called nutrition companies touting cure-all superfoods with over-embellished claims. A healthy lifestyle takes time, patience and willpower and won't be accomplished by adding a single food to one's diet.
"I think these labels are marketing strategies that target our general desire to have a simple, easy solution to a problem eat this and you wont get cancer," Della Valle said. "Its not true. Its not that these foods cant help helpful, but the claims are almost always overblown."
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Diet rich in plants, low in processed meats may help fight cancer - WYFF Greenville
