The Big “C” — What We Can Do About It
All of us are familiar with cancer. The big “C.”
Unfortunately, many of us may personally know someone who has suffered through this devastating disease. Maybe it was you. Back in 2007, it was me.
Chemotherapy and cancer care can be brutal, and the effects ripple through families and communities. Facing that reality raises the question: Is cancer inevitable?
If you read my post on epigenetics, you already know the answer.
What the Evidence Says
Is there anything you can do to lower your chances of developing this catastrophic affliction?
Major health organizations and large epidemiological studies consistently point to the same message: a healthy eating pattern is protective. That means eating mostly whole, plant-based foods — fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains — and limiting red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and highly processed foods.
These recommendations come from many population studies and lab research, which together build a strong case that whole plant foods are associated with lower risks of cancer and other lifestyle-related diseases.
The American Cancer Society provides this guidance:
From American Cancer Society Journals:
Recommendation: Follow a healthy eating pattern at all ages
A healthy eating pattern includes:
- Foods that are high in nutrients in amounts that help achieve and maintain a healthy body weight;
- A variety of vegetables—dark green, red and orange, fiber-rich legumes (beans and peas), and others;
- Fruits, especially whole fruits with a variety of colors; and
- Whole grains.
- A healthy eating pattern limits or does not include:
- Red and processed meats;
- Sugar-sweetened beverages; or
- Highly processed foods and refined grain products.
Why Whole Plant Foods Help
Whole plant foods contain a complex array of healthy-promoting substances. Take broccoli, for instance. It contains sulforaphane, a naturally occurring compound that exhibits anticancer properties, such as halting cancer cell growth and inducing cancer cell death. It is also an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent, contributing to optimal health.
Important note: these foods are for prevention, not a substitute for cancer treatment. The chemicals in broccoli and other whole plant foods are not potent enough to act by themselves as chemotherapy for the treatment of active cancer. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment.
The Bottom Line
You can’t control everything, but you can control your daily choices. Imagine the incredible advantage you have in terms of cancer prevention by eating an abundance of whole plant foods. And yes, I know there are no guarantees in life, but can you see just how much influence you have over your own health?
That makes me feel empowered.
How does it make you feel?
If you’re interested in bringing this type of message to a wider audience, I speak regularly on topics related to health and wellness. You can learn more about my talks at https://stevepiriano.life/speaking/
I also explore similar topics more deeply in my books, which you can find at https://stevepiriano.life/books/ if you’d like to dive in.