Cancer is the most feared disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) recorded 7.8 million deaths from cancer in 2008, and this is projected to increase to 13.1 million by 2030.

While the medical industry has advanced to develop cancer treatments, for example, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, most of these treatments are aggressive and leave the body totally weakened and stressed. However, there are also natural ways to help the fight against cancer.

What Is Cancer?

Cancer is a single abnormal cell that multiplies out of control and grows into groups of cells to form tumors. The tumors invade healthy tissues and affect the proper functioning of the tissues and organs.

The normal cells are attacked by carcinogens, which are substances that promote the development of cancerous cells. Carcinogens come from the air we breathe, the food we eat, or are found within the body. The immune system is constantly fighting and suppressing the development of cancer. Cancer symptoms manifest when the body’s own immune system is overwhelmed and cannot cope with the fight.

Cancer development takes place over a period of time. It goes through the following three stages:

Stage 1 – Initiation

When chemicals or other agents attack the DNA (genetic material) of normal cells, these cells change and reproduce with the modified DNA before it can be repaired.

Stage 2 – Promotion

Genetically modified cells grow into cell mass that is eventually diagnosed. This may take months or years before it can be detected by current medical diagnostics. However, it is also possible to reverse cancer growth at this stage.

Stage 3 – Progression

Cancerous cell invade neighboring tissues and break away and travel to other parts of the body.

What Is The Natural Way To Help Fight Cancer?

The answer is a plant-based diet, rich in nutrients and antioxidants that can help prevent and reverse the development of cancer cells.

Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Professor Emeritus of Cornell University and author of the book The China Study conducted a massive study of cancer death rates and other diseases in 2400 counties in China. The study produced more than 8000 statistical results that showed cancer is less prevalent in China versus the United States. This is primarily because of a diet that consists of less fat, less protein, more fiber and less animal products.

Steinmetz reported in the October 1996 issue of the Journal of American Dietetic Association the link between vegetable and fruit consumption and the risk of cancer in 206 human studies and 22 animal studies. The conclusion is the protective effect of greater vegetable and fruit consumption lowers the risks of various types of cancers: stomach, esophagus, lung, oral cavity, endometrium, pancreas, and colon.

How Does A Plant-Based Diet Help Fight Cancer?

A plant-based diet is a cancer-fighting powerhouse because of the following factors:

1. Less Fat

Plant nutrients are low in saturated fat. High intake of saturated fat is linked to higher rates of cancer. Milk protein, casein, as well as any kind of animal protein, make the body tissue environment acidic, which promotes cancer development.

2. More Fiber

There is no fiber in meat, dairy, sugar and processed foods. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains have the most fiber, which plays a key role in keeping the digestive system clean and healthy. Fiber keeps food moving through the digestive tract, so that carcinogens are purged out before they can cause any harm.

Bile acid secreted into the intestine during the digestion of fat can be converted into carcinogens by the bacteria present. Fiber binds and shields the bile acid from the attack by bacteria and expels it from the body.

Fiber also binds estrogen hormone that is secreted into the intestine and prevents it from being reabsorbed. A high level of estrogen is known to increase the risk of breast cancer.

3. High In Antioxidants

Antioxidants present in plants help to protect against cancer. The attack of carcinogens on normal cells causes oxidative stress, which is counteracted by antioxidants.

Fruit and vegetables contain a wide variety of antioxidants that can counter all possible types of free radicals generated from oxidative stress conditions.

Even after consuming a poor diet high in animal protein and processed foods earlier in life, converting to a plant-based diet will stop the damage and help prevent cancer. A plant-based diet provides essential nutrients for the body’s own immune system to fight the war on cancer.

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