Friday, May 22, 2009

Reducing Your Risk Of Cancer


What can I do to lower my risk of cancer?

Every year, over a million Americans discover they have cancer. Millions more already battle the disease. This is a national tragedy. We all know someone who's suffered from cancer. It's tragic, because cancer may be prevented in many cases. Though some of us are more at risk because of family history, you can take a lot of simple, daily steps to avoid this disease.

Get that diet working for you, not against you!

Diet is one of the main factors that can either prevent or encourage cancer.

The most important thing is to avoid trans fats. These are found in a lot of packaged foods, like potato chips, french fries, and candy. Also, steer clear of saturated fats. You probably know that saturated fat comes from meat, dairy and eggs. You don't have to be extreme - just smart. Now and then, you can have a hamburger. But it shouldn't be a staple in your diet.
Superfoods

Now, "superfoods" is a word that makes me cringe a little, because if you start calling something a superfood, people will go crazy over it, and get too much of it. But there are some foods that really do have amazing antioxidants and other nutrients to help fight cancer. These include foods like unsalted nuts, spinach, broccoli, wild salmon and tuna, blueberries, pomegranates, tomatoes, fresh garlic, green tea, whole grains and Omega-3 fats.

Get your body in gear!

Work out. And then do it some more. Here's the skinny: 3 days a week, 30 minutes a pop. That's all you need. If you want to be more toned, or lose weight, you'll have to work out about six days a week.
Supplement your life.

Vitamins are an incredibly important part of fighting cancer. Trace minerals, antioxidant vitamins, and nutrients like green tea and Omega-3 have all been shown to help aid your body in fighting the risk of cancer. Studies are increasingly pointing to vitamins B, C, D, and E as important cancer-fighters.

Fill up with the right fuel.

If you're downing soda on a daily basis, or if you're a fan of the latest "ade" (Powerade, Gatorade, Sugarade), you're in trouble. These drinks are nothing but sugars, dyes, and chemicals. And they often come with calcium-leeching carbonation added in. Stick to water.

Quit Smoking.

For good! Listen, smokers have about triple the risk of getting cancer. You've got to quit.

Don't crack.

Stress management is key to overall health. Your immune system takes a beating when you're stressed all the time. Get sleep. Hire a maid. Get your kids to do more chores. Stop hanging out with people you don't like. Take bubble-baths. Anything to reduce stress in your life. A happy outlook is one of the best guarantees for good health.

No comments: