The food one eats plays an important role in their overall well-being. Options such as green leafy vegetables, fruits, and nuts can significantly help curb or reduce the risk of developing untoward health conditions. However, when it comes to chronic conditions like cancer, food options become more limited, and while eating healthy may not cure the disease, it helps boost the immune system. This then aids in a faster recovery.
7 foods that helps fight cancer
Berries
Berries are nutritious and contain vitamin C, potassium, manganese, and folate, which help the immune system fight the cancer cells. A few examples of cancer-fighting berries are mulberries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. The fruits also contain antioxidants like gallic acid and chlorogenic acid, which promote anti-cancer agents.
Garlic
Apart from being a delicious addition to any meal, garlic also has health benefits. The vegetable is an anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial food with natural antioxidants that may benefit your overall health. Garlic also contains allicin, which is an active compound known to reduce potential stomach cancer.
Tomato
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, vitamin A, C, E and possess other health benefits too. These properties help ward off any potential cancer risks. Additionally, lycopene is an antioxidant that may help reduce the risk of heart diseases.
Grapes
Grapes contain an abundance of resveratrol, which is a strong antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties known to prevent damage caused by cancer. Similarly, fruits like limes, lemons, and oranges can also help fight the effects of cancer.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable known for its anti-cancerous properties. It contains glucosinolates; a substance that produces protective enzymes as it moves through the digestive system. Further, these enzymes can negate harmful chemicals in the system and lower the risk of cancer.
Apples
Apples are rich in potassium, vitamins C, and calcium, making them superfoods for the human body. But what makes them useful cancer-fighting agents is their potassium content. Potassium helps manage and regulate fluid balance, preventing fluid buildup, which is a common side-effect of chemotherapy.
Carrots
Carrots contain beta-carotene; an antioxidant known to protect the cell membranes from toxin damage and decrease the growth of cancerous cells. Further, carrots contain vitamins and phytochemicals that may prevent potential cancers from developing in the esophagus, mouth, and stomach.
Treatment options for cancer
There are several treatment options available for various forms of cancer. It is strongly recommended to opt for a remedy only on the advice of a trained medical professional.
Xofigo® (radium Ra 223 dichloride)
Xofigo® (radium Ra 223 dichloride) is a remedy prescribed to those who have been unresponsive to hormonal or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone. The injection is focused on men in whom prostate cancer has spread to the bone only, with symptoms. A total of six injections are administered once every four weeks by a health care expert.
IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib)
IMBRUVICA® (ibrutinib) is a prescription remedy for mantle cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, and marginal zone lymphoma. It can block BTK signaling and subsequently stop B cells from multiplying.
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is FDA-approved cancer immunotherapy, which genetically modifies the T cells in the body to activate the immune system and then destroy cancer cells.
KYPROLIS® (carfilzomib)
KYPROLIS® (carfilzomib) is for adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. It requires these patients to have previously received one to three treatments for multiple myeloma. It is given intravenously by a trained professional. The infusion is administered once or twice a week, for 10 to 30 minutes, based on the doctor’s prescription.
B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)
B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is a probable treatment for people affected with multiple myeloma. The method improves the growth and sustenance of B-cells, which help restrict and prevent cancerous cells from growing.
Fostamatinib
Fostamatinib is prescribed to treat those with a select blood disorder known as chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). ITP is a health condition where the count of a certain type of cell in the body is lower than usual and may lead to bleeding. The tablet should be taken with or without food, twice daily, and after receiving a doctor’s prescription.
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a single-stranded RNA molecule that complements a specific DNA strand of a gene. According to the CDC, mRNA can inspire dendritic cells to produce proteins and strengthen the immune system. The immune system, in turn, invades harmful cells and helps reduce the risk of cancer.