The role of whole Foods in Cancer Treatment

Apart from the heart disease, another disease in the world that is a great threat to many people's lives is cancer. In a short period of time, cancer cell can destroy thousands of our Healthy cells, if you're diagnosed positive of it.

What keeps many people worried about the widely accepted treatment of this disease is when you'll probably lose all your energies
after the cancer treatment. You'll never be yourself when you hear that you'll be subjected to chemotherapy, that fear alone can take your life. Life shouldn't have to be like this.

In this article, we're going to learn what cancer is, how's it developed apart from genetic factor, We'll also look into some of our  everyday activities that can make us prone to cancer. 

Lastly, you're going recognise some foods that are pure sources of
antioxidants, that'll raise your overall immune system against cancer.

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It's good to remind ourself what is cancer,

how's it developed, what activities or behaviours can we avoid so that we'll not prone our systems to cancer?

As you're reading every word of this article, you'll  discover healthy foods and vegetables that are good fit for you, even if you're a cancer patient or have loved ones who's suffering from cancer.

How will your life be, even when you are you're tested positive for cancer,  you just sit back  apply some simple techniques that took you just a few minutes to learn, and you're on your fastest way to recovery, with no underlining symptoms again. 

 This is exactly what you're going to learn here today. Just pay undivided attention to every word of this article, somewhere inside it, you'll find the secret to natural cure and prevention of cancer.

 let's read on...

What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease that is caused when abnormal cells in our body divide uncontrollably and destroy our body tissue

Here are major types of cancers:

1) carcinomas---these are found in the skin, lungs, breasts and other organs and glands

2) lymphomas--- they're cancers of lymphocytes. Let me not be too technical, what do I mean by lymphocyte or lymph system? They are nodes and vessels that moves limbs fluids through the body.

The lymph fluids are those white blood cells that help our body fight infections.

Nodes or lymph nodes act as filters that prevent or destroy bacteria spreading.

When the lymph systems becomes infected by cancer cells the Cancer develop are called lymphomas.

These types of cancers are found in bone marrows, thymus, lymph nodes and tonsils.

Now that you've known what the technical meaning of lymphomas is, let's proceed briefly to other types of cancer

The other types are

• leukaemia--- cancer of the blood
• Melanomas---cancer  of the skin
•  sarcomas--- these are found in Bones, muscles, blood vessels, fat, cartilage or other soft connective tissues of the body sarcomas are not so common compared to other types of cancers.

Causes of cancer

Apart from genetic mutation,  the  causes of cancers  are

•  smoking and tobacco 
•  physical activities
•  viruses and other infections
• excessive exposure to heat 
• alcohol

Yes, alcohol, it seems unbelievable, right?

Let me explain,

The principal chemical in alcohol is ethanol, on drinking the alcohol, the ethanol will be converted into  an acetaldehyde, which will damage your DNA and stops the cells from repairing. When the cell can't repair itself what'll happen? It'll begin to affect the healthy ones,  till it grows to your tissues--- destroying them. This is exactly the definition of cancer. The types of cancer formed by alcohol are.

• Cancer of the mouth
• Pharyngeal cancer (upper throat)
• Oesophagus (food pipe) cancer
• Laryngeal (voice box) cancer
• Liver cancer

The risk of cancer becomes worse if you're smoking and drinking at the same time.

There's an argument that alcohol is actually good for your body.

Well, it's because of the polyphenols in it. If you're drinking alcohol because polyphenols, there are other sources of polyphenols which you might consider, which are even the best sources of polyphenols and are diseases free.

You can find  polyphenols in:

• Phenolic acid--- foods like fruits, vegetables, seeds, and whole grains.
• Flavonoids---foods like apple, Onions, dark chocolate and red cabbage

Polyphenols can also be found in berries, turmeric, and flaxseed. There's also a lot of polyphenols in red wine.

What's in polyphenols for you? 
There are antioxidants - that means, they prevent oxidation or damages caused by free radicals*. 
common antioxidants are:

• Vitamin A, C, E
• Carotenoids

These are  Capable of inhibiting the damaging effects of oxidation

Free radicals are the unstable molecules that can damage the cells in your body. They usually form when atoms or molecules gain or lose electrons. They result from metabolic reactions.

Polyphenols, despite their advantages, have negative effects, if taken in excess - it may cause an allergy to iron intake. Read more about polyphenols here. There's a comprehensive information about polyphenols there.

Prevention of cancers

Earlier on in this article, I promised you that you'll learn how to help yourself from cancer. I'll show you in a few moment, but before then let's list briefly, the common preventive measures against cancer.
The primary preventive measures against cancers are:

• Don't use tobacco
• Eat healthy diet*
• Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active
• Avoid unsafe acts - such as unsafe sex, don't share needles 
• Protect yourself from the sun
• Get regular medical care

Having known that, let's go straight to the discussion of foods you need to hasten your recovery, your loved ones  from cancer. You'll learn here now the science behind whole foods, fruits and vegetables in the treatment as well as prevention of cancers. I urge you to pay your full attention to every word of this article.

Here we go...

The following article is from American Cancer Society, 

Benefits of good nutrition during cancer treatment

When you’re healthy, eating enough food to get the nutrients and calories you need is not usually a problem. Most nutrition guidelines stress eating lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain products; limiting the amount of red meat you eat, especially meats that are processed or high in fat; cutting back on fat, sugar, alcohol, and salt; and staying at a healthy weight. But when you’re being treated for cancer, these things can be hard to do, especially if you have side effects or just don’t feel well.

Good nutrition is especially important if you have cancer because both the illness and its treatments can change the way you eat.   They can also affect the way your body tolerates certain foods and uses nutrients.

During cancer treatment you might need to change your diet to help build up your strength and withstand the effects of the cancer and its treatment. This may mean eating things that aren’t normally recommended when you are in good health. For instance, you might need high-fat, high-calorie foods to keep up your weight, or thick, cool foods like ice cream or milk shakes because sores in your mouth and throat are making it hard to eat anything. The type of cancer, your treatment, and any side effects you have must be considered when trying to figure out the best ways to get the nutrition your body needs.

The nutrition needs of people with cancer vary from person to person. Your cancer care team can help you identify your nutrition goals and plan ways to help you meet them. Eating well while you’re being treated for cancer might help you:

• Feel better.
• Keep up your strength and energy.
• Maintain your weight and your body’s store of nutrients.
• Better tolerate treatment-related side effects.
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• Lower your risk of infection.
• Heal and recover faster.

Eating well means eating a variety of foods to get the nutrients your body needs to fight cancer. These nutrients include proteins, fats, carbohydrates, water, vitamins, and minerals.

Proteins

We need protein for growth, to repair body tissue, and to keep our immune systems healthy. When your body doesn’t get enough protein, it might break down muscle for the fuel it needs. This makes it take longer to recover from illness and can lower resistance to infection. People with cancer often need more protein than usual. After surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, extra protein is usually needed to heal tissues and help fight infection.

Good sources of protein include fish, poultry, lean red meat, eggs, low-fat dairy products, nuts and nut butters, dried beans, peas and lentils, and soy foods.

Fats

Fats play an important role in nutrition. Fats and oils serve as a rich source of energy for the body. The body breaks down fats and uses them to store energy, insulate body tissues, and transport some types of vitamins through the blood.

You may have heard that some fats are better for you than others. When considering the effects of fats on your heart and cholesterol level, choose monounsaturated (olive, canola, and peanut oils) and polyunsaturated fats (these are found mainly in safflower, sunflower, corn, and flaxseed oils and seafood) more often than saturated fats or trans fats.

Saturated fats are mainly found in animal sources like meat and poultry, whole or reduced-fat milk, cheese, and butter. Some vegetable oils like coconut, palm kernel oil, and palm oil are saturated. Saturated fats can raise cholesterol and increase your risk for heart disease. Less than 10% of your calories should come from saturated fat.

Sources of trans fats include snack foods and baked goods made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil or vegetable shortening. Trans fats are also found naturally in some animal products, like dairy products. Trans fats can raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol. Avoid trans fats as much as you can.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the body’s major source of energy. Carbohydrates give the body the fuel it needs for physical activity and proper organ function. The best sources of carbohydrates – fruits, vegetables, and whole grains – also supply needed vitamins and minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients to the body’s cells. (Phytonutrients are chemicals in plant-based foods that we don’t need to live, but that might promote health.)

Fiber is the part of plant foods that the body can’t digest. There are 2 types of fiber. Insoluble fiber helps to move food waste out of the body quickly, and soluble fiber binds with water in the stool to help keep stool soft.

Other sources of carbohydrates include bread, potatoes, rice, spaghetti, pasta, cereals, corn, peas, and beans. Sweets (desserts, candy, and drinks with sugar) can supply carbohydrates, but provide very little in the way of vitamins, minerals, or phytonutrients.

Water

Water and liquids or fluids are vital to health. All body cells need water to function. If you don’t take in enough fluids or if you lose fluids through vomiting or diarrhea, you can become dehydrated (your body doesn’t have as much fluid as it should). If this happens, the fluids and minerals that help keep your body working can become dangerously out of balance. You get water from the foods you eat, but a person should also drink about eight 8-ounce glasses of liquid each day to be sure that all the body cells get the fluid they need. You may need extra fluids if you’re vomiting, have diarrhea, or even if you’re just not eating much. Keep in mind that all liquids (soups, milk, even ice cream and gelatin) count toward your fluid goals.

Vitamins and minerals

Your body needs vitamins and minerals to help it function properly and use the energy (calories) in food. Most are found naturally in foods, but they are also sold as pill and liquid supplements.

If you eat a balanced diet with enough calories and protein you will usually get plenty of vitamins and minerals. But it can be hard to eat a balanced diet when you’re being treated for cancer, especially if you have treatment side effects. If you do have side effects, your doctor or dietitian may suggest a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement. If your food intake has been limited for several weeks or months because of the effects of treatment, be sure to tell your doctor. You might need to be checked for vitamin or mineral deficiencies.

If you’re thinking of taking a supplement, be sure to discuss this with your doctor first. Some people with cancer take large amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements to try to boost their immune system or even destroy cancer cells. But some of these substances can be harmful, especially when taken in large doses. In fact, large doses of some vitamins and minerals may make chemotherapy and radiation therapy less effective.

If your doctor says it’s OK for you to take a vitamin during treatment, it may be best to choose a supplement with no more than 100% of the Daily Value (DV) of vitamins and minerals and one without iron (unless your doctor thinks you need iron).

Antioxidants

Antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E; selenium and zinc; and some enzymes that absorb and attach to free radicals (destructive molecules) , preventing them from attacking normal cells.

If you want to take in more antioxidants, health experts recommend eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, which are good sources of antioxidants. Taking large doses of antioxidant supplements or vitamin-enhanced foods or liquids is usually not recommended while getting chemo or radiation therapy. Talk with your doctor to find out the best time to take antioxidant supplements.

Phytonutrients

Phytonutrients or phytochemicals are plant compounds like carotenoids, lycopene, resveratrol, and phytosterols that are thought to have health-protecting qualities. They’re found in plants such as fruits and vegetables, or things made from plants, like tofu or tea. Phytochemicals are best taken in by eating the foods that contain them rather than taking supplements or pills.

Herbs

Herbs have been used to treat disease for hundreds of years, with mixed results. Today, herbs are found in many products, like pills, liquid extracts, teas, and ointments. Many of these products are harmless and safe to use, but others can cause harmful side effects. Some may even interfere with proven cancer treatments and recovery from surgery. If you’re interested in using products containing herbs, talk about it with your oncologist or nurse first.

Dietary supplement safety considerations

Many people believe that a pill or supplement they find in stores, is safe and it works. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rules to help ensure that supplements contain what their labels claim they do, but the supplement’s safety and its effects on the body are not addressed by any FDA rules. The FDA does not make manufacturers of these products print possible side effects on their labels. And the FDA can’t pull a dietary supplement or herbal product from the market unless they have proof that the product is unsafe.

It’s also been shown that many herbal products aren’t what the label says they are. Some products don’t contain any of the herb they’re supposed to. Some also contain potentially harmful drugs, additives, or contaminants that aren’t listed on the label. This means there’s no sure way to know if a supplement is safe or how it will affect you.

Tell your cancer care team about any over-the-counter products or supplements you‘re using or are thinking about using. Take the bottle(s) to your doctor to talk about the dose and be sure that the ingredients do not interfere with your health or cancer treatments. Some other safety tips:

• Ask your cancer care team for reliable information on dietary supplements.
• Check the product labels for both the quantity and concentration of active ingredients in each product.
• Stop taking the product and call your cancer care team right away if you have side effects, like wheezing, itching, numbness, or tingling in your limbs.

That's not all...

Now what will you do if most of the listed food sources are not at your immediate reach, especially most of the listed fruits and vegetables?  If you've read the above article clearly, there's a warning against dietary supplements, especially if you're not with your doctor.

 Before I go further let's here these two people out. They are cancer survivors 

Ok, if you've clearly watched the videos, with full understanding, their stories relate somehow to whole foods, Nutritional supplements, not just artificial dietary supplements. Let's point to the difference between whole foods Nutritional supplements and artificial supplements

There's a say that " He who seek for Knowledge, seek for wealth. " Your knowledge about whole foods, fruits and vegetables today, will go a long way in saving you and your loved ones again any dangerous disease, which are mostly life threatening.

   Below points out the differences between natural whole foods supplements and artificial dietary supplements. Again, I urge you to pay attention to every point noted in the topic.

Let's go..

The following article is from  healthline.com

Synthetic vs Natural Nutrients: Does It Matter?

Medically reviewed by Mary Jane Brown, PhD, RD (UK) — Published on August 17, 2016

Many people don't get enough nutrients from the diet alone (1Trusted Source).

Currently, over half of the US population takes synthetic nutrients like multivitamins (2Trusted Source).

However, there has been much debate over whether synthetic nutrients provide the same benefits as natural nutrients.

Some sources even suggest that synthetic nutrients may be dangerous.

This article takes an objective look at the science on synthetic and natural nutrients.

What Are Synthetic and Natural Nutrients?

Here's the difference between natural and synthetic nutrients:

• Natural nutrients: These are obtained from whole food sources in the diet.
• Synthetic nutrients: Also referred to as isolated nutrients, these are usually made artificially, in an industrial process.

Synthetic nutrients do not include "whole food supplements," which are made from concentrated, dehydrated whole foods.

The majority of supplements available on the market today are made artificially. These include vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and amino acids, among others.

They can be taken in pill, capsule, tablet, powder or liquid form, and are made to mimic the way natural nutrients act in our bodies.

To figure out if your supplement is synthetic or natural, check the label. Natural supplements usually list food sources or are labeled as 100% plant or animal-based.

Supplements that list nutrients individually, such as vitamin C, or use chemical names like ascorbic acid, are almost certainly synthetic.

BOTTOM LINE:Synthetic nutrients are dietary supplements made artificially in a laboratory setting or industrial process. Natural nutrients are those found in whole foods.

Are Natural and Synthetic Nutrients Different?

The accepted view is that synthetic nutrients are almost chemically identical to those found in food.

However, the production process of synthetic nutrients is very different to the way plants and animals create them. So despite having a similar structure, your body may react differently to synthetic nutrients.

Additionally, it's unclear how well synthetic nutrients are absorbed and used in the body. Some may be more easily absorbed, not others (3Trusted Source).

This is because when you eat real food, you're not consuming single nutrients, but rather a whole range of vitamins, minerals, co-factors and enzymes that allow for optimal use by the body.

Without these additional compounds, synthetic nutrients are unlikely to be used by the body in the same way as their natural counterparts (4Trusted Source).

For example, studies show that natural vitamin E is absorbed twice as efficiently as synthetic vitamin E (5Trusted Source).

BOTTOM LINE:It is unclear how well synthetic nutrients are absorbed and used in the body. Your body will use nutrients best when taken in whole food form, with a wide variet of food compound

Nutrients in Whole Foods Have Health Benefits

Natural whole foods may help manage and prevent heart disease, diabetes, cancer and early death.

These benefits have been linked to the wide range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and fatty acids found in whole foods.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables provide us with fiber, vitamins, minerals and plant compounds, which are thought to be responsible for many health benefits.

Observational studies show that higher fruit and vegetable intake is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis and some brain disorders (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).

Increased fruit intake is also linked to lower blood pressure, reduced oxidative stress and improved blood sugar control (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source).

One review found that for each daily portion of fruit or vegetables consumed, the risk of heart disease decreased by 4–7% (11Trusted Source).

Oily Fish

Scientists believe that the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in oily fish are responsible for improved heart health.

Many large observational studies have shown that people who eat fish regularly have a lower risk of heart attacks, strokes and death from heart disease (12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).

One study of more than 40,000 males aged 40–75 found that those who regularly ate one or more servings of fish per week had a 15% lower risk of heart disease (16Trusted Source).

Beans and Legumes

Experts believe that the high soluble fiber content and the wide range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in beans and legumes may help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).

Eating one serving of legumes like beans, peas and chickpeas each day has been linked to 5% lower LDL cholesterol levels and a 5-6% lower risk of heart disease (20Trusted Source).

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are high in antioxidants, minerals and healthy fats. They have been associated with a reduced risk of early death, heart disease and diabetes (21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source).

One review found that 4 weekly servings of nuts was linked to a 28% lower risk of heart disease, and 22% lower risk of diabetes (22Trusted Source).

Whole Grains

Whole grains contain many valuable nutrients, including fiber, B vitamins and minerals such as iron, magnesium and selenium.

Whole grain consumption has also been associated with protection against cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity (23Trusted Source).

BOTTOM LINE:Evidence supports the idea that natural nutrients found in whole foods can prevent against a wide range of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and premature death.

Supplement Studies Have Provided Mixed Results

Although it's clear that natural nutrients are associated with many health benefits, the evidence for synthetic supplements is mixed.

Multivitamins

Some observational studies have found multivitamin use to be associated with a lower risk of heart disease and cancer (24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source, 27Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source).

However, other studies have found no effect (29Trusted Source, 30Trusted Source, 31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source, 33Trusted Source, 34Trusted Source).

Some even link multivitamin use to increased cancer risk (35Trusted Source, 36Trusted Source, 37Trusted Source, 38Trusted Source).

One large study looked into the effects of a high-dose multivitamin on heart health. After almost 5 years, the study found that multivitamins had no beneficial effect (39Trusted Source).

However, several other studies have linked multivitamin supplements to improved memory in older adults (40Trusted Source, 41Trusted Source, 42Trusted Source, 43Trusted Source).

Nevertheless, the Physicians' Health Study II found that 12 years of daily multivitamin use did not affect brain function or memory for men over 65 (44Trusted Source).

Single and Paired Vitamins

One review found no clear evidence that single or paired supplements benefit heart disease (45Trusted Source).

However, some previous studies suggest that B vitamins like folic acid may improve brain function (46Trusted Source).

Yet other strong studies report that dietary supplements, including B vitamins, do not improve brain function (47Trusted Source, 48Trusted Source).

Despite knowing that adequate vitamin D levels are critical for good health and disease prevention, vitamin D supplements are also under much scrutiny (49Trusted Source, 50Trusted Source).

Vitamin D supplements have been linked to numerous benefits related to cancer, bone health and brain function, to name a few. Yet experts agree more evidence is needed (50Trusted Source, 51Trusted Source).

One thing experts generally agree on is that vitamin D supplements, when combined with calcium, can improve bone health in older people (50Trusted Source).

Antioxidants

Several reviews have found no evidence to support antioxidant supplements, including beta-carotene, vitamins A, C, E, and selenium (alone or in combination) for reduced risk of death and cancer (52Trusted Source, 53Trusted Source).

In fact, beta-carotene supplements have been shown to increase the risk of cancer in smokers (54Trusted Source).

Nonetheless, antioxidant vitamins and minerals may help slow down the progression of diseases that cause blindness. However, more research is needed (55Trusted Source, 56Trusted Source).

BOTTOM LINE:Studies about the beneficial health effects of many synthetic nutrients have been inconsistent, weak or shown no effect.

Should You Take Synthetic Nutrients?

There is no clear evidence to suggest that most synthetic nutrients are beneficial for healthy, well-nourished people.

However, there are certain groups who may benefit from supplementing with synthetic nutrients. These include:

• The elderly: This group tends to be at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency and may also need more vitamin B12 and calcium for bone health (57Trusted Source, 58Trusted Source).
• Vegans and vegetarians: As certain vitamins and minerals are found mainly in animal products, this group is often at a high risk of deficiency for vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, iron and vitamin D (59Trusted Source, 60Trusted Source).
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women: These women may have to supplement their diet with extra vitamins and/or minerals (such as vitamin D) and avoid others (such as vitamin A) (61Trusted Source).
• Women of childbearing age: This group is often encouraged to take a folic acid supplement to reduce the risk of neural tube defects if they do become pregnant. However, taking more than you need may have some risks.
• People with nutrient deficiencies: Certain dietary supplements may treat nutritional deficiencies, such as iron supplements for treating iron deficiency anaemia (62Trusted Source).

BOTTOM LINE:For certain groups of people at risk of nutritional deficiencies, certain synthetic supplements can be beneficial.

Synthetic Nutrients May Be Downright Harmful

In general, taking supplements according to the amounts directed on the package is safe for most people.

However, the FDATrusted Source does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed. Therefore, supplement fraud can occur.

This means that supplements can contain more or less nutrients than stated on the label. Others may contain substances not listed on the label.

If you already consume a wide range of nutrients through your diet, taking extra supplements can exceed the recommended daily intake of many nutrients.

When taken in excess, water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C and B vitamins are flushed out of the body through your urine. However, fat-soluble vitamins -- vitamins A, D, E, and K -- may be stored in the body. This means that there is a risk of them accumulating to high levels, leading to hypervitaminosis.

Pregnant women need to be especially careful with their vitamin A intake, as excess amounts have been linked to birth defects (63Trusted Source).

Results from many clinical trials show that beta-carotene, vitamin E, and possibly high doses of vitamin A can increase the risk of premature death (64Trusted Source, 65Trusted Source).

Other studies have linked multivitamin use to increased cancer risk, and iron supplements can be harmful for people who don't need them (66Trusted Source, 67Trusted Source, 68Trusted Source, 69Trusted Source).

There is also some evidence that synthetic folic acid is more harmful than the natural folate in foods. It may build up in the body and raise the risk of cancer (70Trusted Source, 71Trusted Source, 72Trusted Source).

BOTTOM LINE:Taking large amounts of synthetic nutrients can have harmful health effects. Recommended daily doses are safe for most people, but caution is advised

Research consistently shows that synthetic nutrients are no replacement for a healthy, balanced diet.

Getting natural nutrients from whole foods is always a better option.

However, if you are truly lacking in a specific nutrient, then taking a supplement can be beneficial.

If you're looking for a supplement, it's strongly advisable to go for real whole nutrients. That's if you find it difficult to get the foods that will give you such nutrients. Check out my Amazon store here at Health pack. For whole food supplements, check GNLD Products. They are clinically proven to have  the best food supplements so far.