Because nutrition is important in cancer prevention
The National Week of Cancer Prevention takes place from March 17th to 25th, in its 11th edition . What is the relationship between diet and organ health? Nutrition greatly influences the development of our body, in every sense: we are what we eat, never said it was more true. Who teaches it is tradition, who proves it is medicine and comparative studies carried out in recent years. These studies have shown that in every food there are substances responsible for the acceleration of a certain process of "cellular madness", but that there are also others that have the task of protecting our organs and preventing the onset of certain diseases .
The study of the relationship between nutrition and cancer development is not new: for more than a hundred years researchers and scientists have highlighted this close correlation, developing behaviors that are considered good for coping with tumors, including following a preventive diet oncological, and emphasizing the bad habits to be abandoned.
Which are the main triggering food agents
Why is it important that the LILT (Italian League for the Fight against Cancer) has established a National Week of Cancer Prevention? First of all to inform, raise awareness. Getting to know each other is always a bit like getting to know each other and we can, through this initiative, review our eating habits.
Specific research has shown that cancer caused by nutrition represents 30-40% of total cases. Nutrition and cancer prevention diet studies continue, with the aim of getting to know in depth the foods and habits that lead to an increase in some particular cases of cancer. These studies are based both on the consumption of certain foods and beverages, but also on how food is cooked, on preservation methods and on the substances that are introduced.
According to research, some triggering agents are responsible for creating conflict mechanisms in our body. Among these there are, first of all, carcinogenic substances present in the preservation of food, or that are formed during the same; moreover, the type of cooking of foods affects the malignant process of cell degeneration. Research has shown that fried foods and charcoal are the main causes of stomach cancer. Therefore, steam, boiling, stews, and the oven are recommended as healthy cooking methods . It is not advisable to consume too often frying, grilling, cooking in pressure cookers, as they alter the composition of the food.
What foods to limit and which to supplement
According to researchers and experts, there are some foods that have a greater impact on the formation of tumors, others that inhibit it. The oncology prevention diet puts the red dot on foods such as red meat (veal), sausages and sliced meat. It is also good to reduce the consumption of alcohol, fatty foods, artificial sweeteners and food preservatives in general. In these last two cases, many studies are still ongoing. Nitrites , nitrates and nitrosamines, substances that develop from the metabolism of food, have a high carcinogenic power.
Food components that can prevent cancer have also been found. At the top of the list of green- stamped foods we find foods rich in fiber, vegetables, legumes, fruit and whole grains. Vitamins are also very important. Among these, the most important are vitamin A or Beta carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin D and folic acid. Selenium, zinc and iodine, on the other hand, are essential minerals for prevention, the quantity of which should not be lowered below the guard level. Important microelements are found in legumes, fruit and some cereals, such as soy. Green tea and aloe vera are also considered foods that prevent cancer.
The cancer prevention diet
A healthy cancer prevention diet should respect certain key points. First and foremost it should include 2 to 6 servings of vegetables and fruit every day, including dried fruit and vegetables. Secondly it should signal the consumption of foods rich in fiber and omega-3 (tuna, salmon, sardines, herring, swordfish, anchovies). Instead, it should reduce the consumption of sugar, saturated fats and cholesterol . Increase Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and folic acid . Include the probiotics contained in the yoghurt.
Say no to alcohol, salty foods, smoke. In this week of prevention, you can find the recipes of twelve of the most important kitchen bloggers on the official LILT website or on the LILT facebook page, donated in the form of tasty and appetizing menus. Also from 17 to 25 March the LILT volunteers are mobilizing in the major Italian squares to offer a bottle of extra virgin olive oil - in exchange for a modest contribution - together with a useful brochure full of information on correct lifestyles.
We also remind you that the 395 LILT Prevention Points (Outpatient Clinics) will remain open and doctors, health workers and volunteers will be available to the entire population. To find out the days and opening times of the LILT Prevention / Surgery points, call the toll-free number SOS LILT 800-998877.
