Sunday, August 30, 2009

Three Natural Remedies for Cancer

By Kirsten Whittaker

Researchers believe that even those of us who have a predisposition to some types of cancer might be able to decrease the risks by living a healthy lifestyle by adopting natural remedies for cancer.

A third of the most common cancers in the U.S. might be prevented by adopting healthier habits.

The hard thing is that in todays culture there is more unhealthy choices that are available and more affordable.

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, AICR there are 3 key things you can do to help yourself boost your odds of staying healthy and cancer free.

1. Eat a predominantly plant based diet " that is mostly fruits, veggies and whole grains, little or no sugary, processed foods (fast foods too) as well as keeping intake of red meat to 18 ounces a week and salt intake to no more than 2.4 grams per day. Alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation, that is one drink a day for women, two drinks per day for men.

2. Keep your weight healthy - BMI between 21 and 23 is considered ideal for improving your odds. The lower end of the BMI range is even better when it comes to cancer risk. Its also important to try and avoid gaining weight as an adult.

3. Exercise frequently - being moderately active for 30 minutes, working up to 60 minutes a day is also key. If your exercise routine is especially rigorous, thirty minutes a day is just fine. Limit how much time you spend in front of the computer or sitting still.

The data is pretty clear that we can make a significant drop in the cancer rate with these three changes, Karen Collins, a registered dietician and nutrition advisor for the AICR explains.

We can prevent about one-third of cancers with these changes. And if you add tobacco prevention, which reduces about 30 percent of cancers, over half of todays cancers could be prevented.

Of course these recommendations are not any guarantee of your future health, but they certainly improve the odds of staying healthier.

The researchers believe that each healthy adaptation helps encourage another one. If you're active you will eat better because better foods give you more energy, and the great feelings that come from exercise will lead to a virtuous circle.

Both behaviors will have weight dropping off, reinforcing your good habits and leaving you looking, and feeling, better than ever.

If you are a little concerned about cancer risk, or you've a family background with the disease, its a good idea to talk to your doctor about genetic counselling.

This process can help you and your family identify who among you might be at risk, and involves taking a very detailed family medical history (disease information about your brothers and sisters, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, children and grandchildren) so that the counsellor can assess your risk and guide you to the options open to you.

You may need a single, hour-long session, or a few, depending on your needs for genetic testing .

Of course even if you, or someone you love, carries a greater genetic risk, that doesn't at all mean you are going to get a disease like cancer. You can do something about it with understanding this article, and introducing some of the natural remedies for cancer, starting now to reduce your overall risk in the future.

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