Did you know that eating the right foods can boost your immune system and help you cope with lymphoma cancer treatment? Nature offers a wide variety of foods rich in immune boosting and intrinsic cancer-fighting properties. These foods can actually be found in the first section of major grocery stores around the world.
To fight the side effects of cancer treatment – chemotherapy and radiotherapy – eating foods rich in antioxidants help to reduce the effects. As you probably know, antioxidants are compounds that help to fight oxidation.
In the human body, oxidation results in the production of free radicals. These are elements that cause different chain reactions leading to cell damage. When this happens, one is at risk of getting cancer.
Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body. They do so by terminating the chain reactions. As a result, one is assured of a healthy body. These compounds are available in Vitamin C and E rich foods which will be highlighted later.
Apart from antioxidants, you have other nutrients and minerals to help boost your immunity and fight cancer. They include vitamins, dietary fiber, omega 3 fats and sulforaphane among others.
Want to know foods that fight lymphoma cancer?
Keep reading!
Apples
You probably have heard of the following adage “eating an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Well apart from the doctor, it also helps to generate chemicals that fight the formation of cancer cells.
Apples contain an antioxidant called procyanidins. When you consume an apple, this antioxidant causes a series of cell signals which inhibit the formation of cancer cells. Since its rich in dietary fiber too, as it ferments in the colon, it releases chemicals that fight cancer. So, next time you are grocery shopping, don’t forget to add apples in your shopping basket.
Kale
As a green vegetable, kale is rich in cancer-fighting compounds such as bioflavonoids, indole, and carotenoids among others. Indole helps to decrease the potential of cancer cells, especially from estrogen. That is not all. Indole also increases the production of other compounds that help to fight other diseases too.
I know many people are not fond of eating kales. Maybe its because kale lacks natural sugar like apples and other fruits. To help you eat kale more, check out the following resource for kale recipes – Easy Garlic Kale recipe.
Garlic
Speaking of garlic, it is rich in sulfur compounds. This means consuming garlic helps to stimulate your immune systems in defense against cancer. According to a 2015 study, garlic is a favorite vegetable that helps to decrease the risk of cancer. Popularly used in the preparation of different cuisines, garlic helps to fight cancers of the gastrointestinal tract.
Basically, the sulfur compounds in garlic affect the many biological processes known to modify cancer risk.
Salmon
Fish is rich in omega 3 fats, protein, and other nutrients. Studies have shown that consuming higher fat fishes such as salmon can help to fight cancer formation especially blood cancer. For instance, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukemia among others. Also, it helps to improve heart health.
Omega 3 fats contain the following compounds eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic. Lab studies show that these compounds help to cut down on inflammation which helps in preventing the formation of cancer.
Experts recommend that one should consume at least 4 servings of fish every week.
Broccoli
As a superfood and an edible green plant, broccoli has a large flowering head eaten as a vegetable. Derived from the Italian word “broccolo” meaning the flowering part of a vegetable specifically cabbage, broccoli is rich in cancer-preventing compounds.
According to a Spanish study, how people cook broccoli can prevent or eliminate the cancer-preventing compounds. If you microwave broccoli, 97% of the useful compounds will be removed. To preserve the cancer-protective flavonoids, one must steam, or boil broccoli. Actually, the best method is steaming.
Ginger
Did you know that ginger is 10,000 times more powerful than chemotherapy? According to a 2015 study, ginger contains a pungent compound called 6-shogaol. This compound is what makes ginger to be an effective solution that can kill the root cause of cancer especially breast cancer.
The compound above, 6-shagoal, targets breast cancer cells by reducing CD44/CD24 cancer stem cell markers. Also, it works by affecting the cell cycle. This helps to increase cancer cell death.
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Grapes
Grapes are rich in ellagic acid, a compound that protects the lungs from toxins. The skin of red grapes is rich in phytochemicals specifically resveratrol. This compound has been found to be beneficial in reducing cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
As you already know, cancer is brought about by a number of factors such as viruses, exposure to toxins(environmental), lack of activity and high-stress levels among others. By eating grapes daily, your body will benefit from resveratrol.
Artichokes
When preparing meals, not many people include artichoke. What they don’t know is that artichokes are rich in nutritional value. Not only that, they can prevent cancer. Artichoke is rich in minerals and nutrients such as phytochemicals. These vital nutrients have the ability to protect against health conditions such as cancer and even liver problems.
According to research conducted at the Comenius University in Slovakia, artichoke leaf extract is rich in antioxidants specifically phytochemicals. To prevent cancer, the antioxidant promotes slow cancer cell growth and also induces apoptosis (cell death).
Now that we have covered foods that fight lymphoma cancer, let’s take a look at foods you should avoid when you have lymphoma cancer. As said earlier, cancer treatment can leave you with a weak immune system. To gain your strength, you might opt out of eating foods that you consider as your favorite. What you may not know is that such foods don’t contain any nutritional value. Besides, they may be contaminated. So, no matter how tasty the food sounds, its best to avoid them.
So, what foods should you avoid if you have lymphoma?
- Raw milk and related products
- Smoked fish
- Undercooked meat such as beef, fish, and poultry
- Undercooked seafood – may contain hepatitis A virus
- Sashimi and sushi
- Raw and undercooked eggs
- Uncooked salami
- Blue-veined cheese, brie, feta, camembert, and goat cheese among others
- Deli-prepared foods and others
There you have it. Foods that fight lymphoma cancer and what foods should you avoid if you have lymphoma. Now, all that remains is for you to shop at the nearest grocery store for the foods highlighted above. When it comes to cooking, steaming and boiling are the best methods. Alternatively, you can eat the food raw especially fruits. Microwaving or deep frying your foods removes the vital nutrients needed to fight cancer cells.
Don’t forget to consult your doctor.