Top 15 breast cancer fighting foods

Learn which foods can help prevent and fight breast cancer that you should include in your diet.

Source: http://lifestyle.malaysia.msn.com/wellbeing/top-15-breast-cancer-fighting-foods#image=1

Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in women, so it's best to take precautions. One of the ways you could start is by eating the right foods, so here are a few choices of breast cancer fighting foods.

1. Whole grain foods


Whole grains have natural compounds to lower your cancer risk and plant compounds that can protect your cells from damages that may lead to the development of cancer.

2. Walnuts



Walnuts are a good part of your anti-cancer diet because research has found that walnuts contain healthy fatty acid that slows down the growth of breast cancer. It contains Phytosterols, a plant compound that appears to slow or prevent the growth of cancer. Gallic Acid, which is found in the thin skin outside the walnut kernel, is antifungal and toxic to cancer cells. Alphalinolenic acid (ALA) which is a polyunsaturated fat that helps reduce inflammation and may also be effective in preventing breast cancer.


3. Ground flaxseed




Flaxseeds are a humble but powerful cancer-fighting grain. Flax is a source of lignin which has anti-cancer properties, and according to recent studies, it could help prevent breast cancer. Researchers believe this because the lignin metabolites bind estrogens receptors preventing the spread of estrogens-stimulated breast cancer.

4. Natural Sweeteners  


Natural sweeteners like honey are low on glycemic index, which means unlike refined sugar, it doesn't raise you blood glucose levels. Cancer thrives on sugar, so using this as a substitute would be helpful.

5. Garlic  



Garlic may help to prevent cancer by its anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. This provides the ability to enhance genetic repair and slow down cancer cell proliferation. It can also prevent the formation of carcinogenic substances in your body which is an agent directly involved in causing cancer.


6. Cinnamon



Cinnamon contains a type of flavonoids called Proanthocyanidins which has a cogent antioxidant capability and may be able to prevent tumour growth by starving the cancer cells. These special flavonoids may also block the formation of nitrosamines which is a carcinogen that damages the DNA in your breast tissue.


7. Eggs



The fat-soluble vitamins in eggs not only help absorb calcium to build strong teeth and bones, but also build protection against cancer.

8. Berries  




Berries are rich with flavonoids which are cancer-fighting antioxidants. Try red grapes which contain anti-oxidants called Bioflavonoid and Resveratrol, which help prevent tumour growth.


9. Fish  


Research shows that people who replace saturated fat from red meat with fish rich in PUFA omega-3 fatty acids have lower rates of breast and colon cancer. Omega-3s promote brain growth and development, and they are also important in reducing risk for inflammation and cancer.


10. Carrots  


Carrots contain a substance called Falcarinol. It has the ability to reduce the risk of cancer as isolated cancer cells grow slower when exposed to falcarinol.


11. Pomegranates  


Studies show that pomegranate juice could destroy breast cancer cells without affecting healthy cells alone. It may also prevent breast cancer cells from forming and can slow down the growth of breast cancer.

12. Green tea  

Green tea contains an anti-cancer compound called epigallocatechin gallate. Researchers have discovered that green tea also contains chemicals that have the ability to shut down one of the key molecules known as the aryl hydrocarbon (AH) receptor that can cause gene changes.

13. Sweet potatoes 



Sweet potatoes contain many anti-cancer properties, including Beta-carotene, which protects the DNA in the cell nucleus from cancer-causing chemicals outside the nuclear membrane.

14. Seaweed  


Seaweed contains important fatty acids like Beta-carotene, protein, vitamin B12, fibre, and chlorophyll and chlorophylones that may help in the fight against breast cancer.

15. Soy products

Soy contains several types of phytoestrogens like non-steroidal estrogens that could help prevent breast cancer by blocking and suppressing cancerous changes. There are a number of isoflavone in soy products, one of it being the genistein which is the most potent prevention of the growth and spread of cancerous cells.

* There's no particular food that can guarantee the prevention of breast cancer, but a healthy diet has many benefits, so why not add these foods to your diet as your first step of precaution.