There are plenty of ways that you can protect and prevent yourself from getting Lung Cancer, although the National Institute of Cancer continues to say that giving up smoking is the most beneficial health action that smokers can take to lower their risk of lung cancer, and also these following dietary recommendations can also offer protection against lung cancer for smokers and nonsmokers very much alike.
- Eat carotenoid-rich foods
Did you know that fruits and veggies such as carrots, green and red bell peppers, sweet potatoes, winter squash, leafy greens, Mangoes, apricots, cantaloupes, and peaches contain DNA-friendly antioxidants that protect the lungs. Also the beta carotene vitamin is the most associated with lung protection.
- Eat one serving of cruciferous veggies daily.
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, kale, watercress and Brussels sprouts contain a phytochemical called isothiocynate. Isothiocynate blocks an enzyme that activates cancer-causing agents in tobacco smoke. Get at least one serving of these helpful veggies every day.
- Find food sources of selenium.
This selenium can be found in a different variety of foods and these include Brazil nuts, whole grains, and tuna. It has also been know that if you take supplements of selenium that it may significantly lower your chances of getting lung cancer. Eating foods that are high in selenium and is highly recommended.
- Eat foods high in vitamin E.
you know that a Finnish study showed that a diet rich in Vitamin E lowered the risk of lung cancer among smokers by 20%? Crazy right, most of the things that heal our body come naturally from this Earth. Foods that are good sources of vitamin E are nuts that include almonds, walnuts, & sunflower seeds. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that maintains lung cell integrity.
- Limit fat intake.
It is very important that you limit your intake of fat mainly those fats that are saturated that are found in red meats and high fat dairy foods. You want to eat fats that are more healthier for you like fatty fish, since these are high in omega-3 fatty acids as opposed to those bad fats.
- Get enough vitamin C
Getting a good amount amount of vitamin C is a very important thing that you should do everyday period. To get the most out of protecting your lungs from lung cancer is oranges because they contain both vitamin C and folic acid, which are very beneficial for protection. Other high Vitamin C foods include kiwi, potatoes, and red bell peppers. Asparagus, broccoli, and dried beans are good sources of folic acid.
- Get fit!
Getting fit and getting the proper amount of exercise can be beneficial to anyone no matter what you are planning to accomplish in life. Recent studies show evidence that regular exercise may exert an anti-cancer effect, and other studies show that men who are fit had a lower risk of dying of lung cancer.
So the bottom line is your diet plays a huge role in your fight against lung cancer, and if you want to reduce your risk by a whole 30 percent you should stop smoking period. For nonsmokers who wish to ward off lung cancer, a low fat diet with 5-9 servings daily of colorful fruits/vegetables and grains is a good bet.
