Curated by Cinzia Zedda, an Iridology Naturopath

A poor diet influences with a rather important percentage of incidence concerning the formation of tumors . We try to understand what are the most common mistakes to correct and the foods that can give us a big hand in preventing degenerative diseases .

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Tomatoes among the anticancer foods

Fight cancer at the table

There are many foods that contain substances called polyphenols . These substances of which we mention flavonoids, act in the body by stimulating biochemical reactions and playing a favorable role against diseases.

The beneficial action of which we speak is better known as an antioxidant action . The antioxidant exerts an important antitumor influence whose cause in addition to the wrong diet has many other variables (from the dangerous habit of "smoking" to the careless use of wrong medicines or supplements, air pollution / exposure for various reasons to radioactive sources) .

Free radicals are our worst enemies, able to attack the healthy cells of the body damaging them and paving the way for the tumor process. The free radical is a molecule without an electron. The antioxidant and therefore anti-tumor action acts by returning the lost electron to the molecule. In this way the radical becomes harmless. In other words, the cancer cell is generated following the combustion and oxidation process of the waste introduced through the feeding. Following a good and conscious diet you can really find a quantity of anti-tumor substances that can effectively remove and prevent the danger of cancer, along with health and hygiene rules such as the practice of outdoor sports and possibly trying to do something not just simple: remove stress.

To prevent cancer, antioxidant foods such as vegetables and fruits, vegetable proteins (legumes), herbs and spices, good fatty algae (extra virgin olive oil, some types of fish such as salmon) and whole grains must be introduced into daily shopping. . Preservatives and additives generally contribute to making the organism vulnerable, so it is good to opt for homemade dishes without the aid of "culinary conjectures".

You can learn more about what antioxidant foods are and how they work

Errors to avoid

On the table, more often than not, you leave aside the health aspect for the gluttony at the exclusive pleasure of the palate. The possibility of cooking in a simpler and more genuine, but still tasty, way for fried foods (the type of oil used for frying and high temperature are relevant), preserved and dyes (participating in the formation of the tumor) is overlooked.

These delicacies are certainly tasty and beautiful to look at but not so healthy. A common mistake is to exceed with the quantities of food not knowing that if we choose the right foods, the quantity needed to sustain us is considerably lower than what we can swallow daily.

In addition to this there is also a tendency to ignore the quality of the fats contained in the condiments used. Often it is hydrogenated or otherwise not "good" for our health. The biggest mistake that can be made is to focus on the consumption of whole foods or vegetarian dishes but still using fats that are not suitable for promoting a good and effective "anti-tumor" campaign.

Preventive anti-tumor nutrition if done consistently can really give important results. Recent studies have confirmed that the introduction of a certain amount of animal protein (meat, fish and milk products), consumed above the real individual need is closely linked to tumor formation. So what may seem like an innocent Milanese cutlet, or a tasty chicken thigh or a slice of creamy gorgonzola, could turn out to be food choices that are certainly not encouraging if consumed by habit and in a prolonged way over time considering the set of others factors. Furthermore, you should avoid eating the charred portion of grilled meat as it contains benzopyrene, a carcinogenic substance. Even sugars and salt have their faults. Both are responsible for and activators of certain forms of cancer.

Also discover food as an anti-cancer prevention

What are the anticancer foods

The anti-tumor diet is a nice surprise typical of Mediterranean countries that can prove to be not only healthy but also good. The ingredients that characterize it are the tasty and healthy extra virgin olive oil of which we Italians are excellent producers and the tomatoes, to mention two examples of national pride. The latter represent the summer sun on the table and contain an anti-cancer substance par excellence: lycopene .

The lycopene is naturally contained in the tomato is formed with cooking while in fresh tomatoes the representative quantity is ridiculously low. In addition to the antioxidant action it is really a good friend for skin dehydrated by the power of sunlight. It promotes good work also at the cardiovascular level and in the prevention of degenerative diseases (in particular prostate cancer). The recommended daily amount is about 50-100mg. Lycopene is also found in other red / orange fruits such as melons, peppers and papaya.

Broccoli ( cruciferous family) is another example of a plant with a strong anti-tumor action . It must be cooked before being consumed. Its preparation requires some precautions; an excessive and prolonged "stay in boiling water and fire" can destroy tyrosinase, an enzyme intended for the activation of useful substances (antioxidant and tumor) present in broccoli. The ability to eliminate toxic substances is due to sulforaphane and neuroblastoma (substances to which we owe the characteristic odor).

Oranges (and citrus fruits generally contain anthocyanins and flavonoids) do just fine. They are rich in vitamin C and are also good. They act against the tumor thanks to the anti-inflammatory and detoxifying action of toxic waste through the liver. They protect the stomach and esophagus from cancer.

Remaining on the subject with the orange color carrots thanks to carotenoids are useful in the prevention against breast cancer.

Yogurt instead acts favorably on the intestine by strengthening the immune system and protecting in this way from the risk of colon cancer. Inside the yoghurt there are substances (or rather good bacteria) now known enough called probiotics which act by protecting the colon and promoting a regular daily evacuation. Having a healthy intestine is therefore synonymous with health. There are various types of probiotics obtained from kefir as well as those of vegetable origin (soy).

Drinking a good glass of red wine with meals is not just a comfortable saying but it is true. Not only does it have a positive effect on the heart, but thanks to the polyphenols (of which resveratrol) it makes the life of cancer cells hard by slowing down the phases of the disease.

Instead, mushrooms that are another excellent anti-tumor food should be eaten with caution. The antioxidant power of medicinal mushrooms ( maitake, shiitake ) and other species guarantee a stronger immune system thanks to a good replication of immune cells. For this reason they can be consumed not only during the preventive regime as it is right but also during chemotherapy to support the organism already weakened by the disease.

The banana is a precious fruit due to its high potassium content and therefore to support the work of the kidneys and the associated diseases.

There are many other foods that can help us fight off unwanted diseases and tumors. Keeping ourselves in good health is not just a right but an explicit duty towards ourselves and our body. Let us always remember whenever we are tempted by a food that we know will not do us good or when we are assailed by stress and laziness. And if gluttony is not meant to stop at nothing, then a little chocolate (as long as it is melting) in this case can only give excellent benefits and not only to morale. In fact, chocolate has a very high antioxidant power and is also good for mood.