reactions. Deficiencies of micronutrients
do not cause obvious symptoms of
disease, but they can affect your coping
abilities, and your body's ability to resist
disease and infection.
Vitamin A: The retinol form of fat-
soluble vitamin A is important for
immune functions. It improves the
function of white blood cells, resistance
from carcinogens and infection. Vitamin
A also helps to maintain the mucous
membrane and skin, thus improving
defense to infection.
B-Vitamins: B vitamin deficiency is a
major factor associated with rapid disease
progression. Vitamin B6 deficiency can
lead to a decrease in white blood cell
response and shrink the thymus which is
a critical immune system organ. Frequent
dieting and improper eating habits like
eating too much sugar and refined foods
is the common cause of vitamin B6
deficiency.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a powerful
antioxidant and immune booster, an
antiviral and anticancer nutrient. The
white blood cells utilize vitamin C to fight
microbes, infections and inflammation;
during which levels of vitamin C are
depleted. During high stress situations,
our requirement for vitamin C increases.
Excellent sources of vitamin C include:
parsley, broccoli, strawberries, oranges,
and guavas among others.
Dietary Factors that
promote Cancer
In recent decades, there has been a rapid
increase in scientific evidence that certain
foods increase the risk of cancer. However,
foods also play an important role in cancer
Marginal nutrient deficiencies in the diet
can weaken the immune system. Marginal
deficiency is a state of gradual vitamin loss
that can lead to a general lack of wellbeing
and impairment of certain biochemical re-
actions. Deficiencies of micronutrients do
not cause obvious symptoms of disease, but
they can affect your coping abilities, and
your body's ability to resist disease and in-
fection.
prevention and treatment as well. Even
when cancer has been diagnosed, diet
continues to be vitally important. Some
foods contain anticarcinogens (substances
that neutralize the action of carcinogens
and slow or prevent the development of
cancer). Avoid too much saturated fat, and
Cholesterol: A diet low in total fat may
reduce the risk for cancers of the breast,
prostate, colon, and rectum. Such a diet
will probably be low in saturated fat and
cholesterol and may also reduce risk of
heart disease.
Excessive calories, and especially the
concentrated calories of fat, have been
shown to increase dramatically certain
types of cancer such as cancer of the
breast, colon, and prostrate. Animal and
epidemiological studies have documented
this relationship. Excessive fats in the
diet appear to be promoters rather than
initiators of cancer. Maintain desirable weight. Obesity is a
risk factor for many diseases, including
heart disease, high blood pressure,
diabetes, and some cancers.
Nutrition Strategies that
Help Prevent Cancer
Eat variety of foods. No single food
provides all the nutrients that a person
needs. It is important to eat a wide
variety of foods each day such as: fruits
and vegetables; whole cereals; lean meats,
poultry without skin, dry peas and beans;
and low-fat dairy products.
Avoid
sugary
drinks
and
avoid
consumption of energy-dense foods.
Drinks that are high in added sugars such
as soda and energy drinks, promote weight
gain that is associated with cancer.
Limit alcoholic drinks. Limit to no more
that 2 drinks per day for men and I drink
per day for women.
It is best for mothers to breastfeed
exclusively for up to 6 months and then
add other liquids and foods. Babies
who are breastfed are less likely to be
overweight as children or adults.
Antioxidants and Cancer
Antioxidants no doubt are important for
cancer prevention, as they help neutralize
free radicals that can damage cells. Every
day, your body is exposed to free radicals,
unstable molecules that can damage
the cells in your body in a process often
referred to as oxidative stress.
Free radicals come from everywhere. Not
only does your body produce them as part
of normal metabolism, there are also many
external sources such as air pollution,
alcohol, pesticides, sunlight, tobacco
smoke, drugs and fried foods. Even our
stressful lifestyles are related to excess
oxidative stress. Free radicals cause cancer
cells to grow. Many studies have linked
76 MAL31/19 ISSUE