Cancer is one of the most devastating diseases to modern society. It’s a random killer given a face in the thousands upon thousands of victims it takes or affects each year. Collectively, we fear cancer. We fear that we already know the grim prognosis every time we experience abnormal symptoms for any duration of time. There are things we can do to battle this disease.
Early detection through regular screenings is the best strategy for beating cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research has been looking at evidence linking cancer prevention to nutrition, fitness and weight management. Their report, published in 2007, represents five years of work. Findings are based on the collaboration of hundreds of experts and thousands of studies, and certainly bring to light the essence of PureHealth. Evidence proves that striving for optimal health through weight management, proper nutrition and regular exercise will decrease your risk for cancer. Experts feel that one-third of cancer can be prevented by improved lifestyles. Use these principles and apply them to your life today.
Be as lean as possible, but not underweight. Know what the Body Mass Index chart is and where you fall. Refer to the National Institutes of Health Web site, www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/. Start with a simple goal of just lowering your reading. Eventually, you want to be in the low range of normal. One of the most significant risks for cancer is abdominal fat. The excess weight in the waist becomes a gland in the body, secreting an unnecessary and unhealthy amount of extra hormones, like estrogen. These hormones can lead to the over-stimulation of body tissues, resulting in cancer.
Be physically active for at least 30 minutes each day. Certainly increased activity will help with weight management, but it does much more than that. Just by introducing regular physical activity into your regimen, you lower the risk of cancer. It improves digestive function, bolsters the immune system and allows for stable levels of hormones. Choose activities you enjoy and gradually work on increasing the time you spend exercising.
Avoid sugary drinks and limit consumption of processed foods. What’s important here is that if sugary drinks like soda or juice, and processed grains like cereals and chips, are anything more than the occasional (and by occasional, I mean once or twice a week) part of your diet, your risk of obesity increases and with it, your risk of cancer. Processed foods are made to enhance taste and extend shelf life. The fat and sugar poured into them to achieve this goal promote a slower metabolism and pack on the pounds. They do not sustain the body, and will actually lead to increased consumption.
Ensure a daily intake of at least five servings of fruits and vegetables. Choose whole grain breads and beans. Opt for whole fruits and consume less than one serving of juice daily. Substitute water or unsweetened tea for sugary beverages.
Learn about dietary habits to adopt that can help prevent cancer.
