Everyone strives to improve their health and happiness, and part of that is implementing healthy habits to reduce the risk of getting sick and dying. One of the main reasons for death across developed countries is cancer, which can manifest in a variety of types and is difficult to define as a distinct disease.
For many years, scientists and researchers have been working hard to determine the root causes of these kinds of cancer. They also look at different ways to fight cancer. A healthy diet can help avoid all types of health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, but does it help in the prevention of cancer?
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The Quick Answer: Yes and No
The short solution to this question is “yes, as well as no.”
Certain kinds of cancers, like mesothelioma, generally develop due to exposure to certain kinds of dangers. For mesothelioma, the risk is asbestos. This kind of cancer develops because of asbestos exposure. Therefore, eating a better diet won’t always stop it from forming.
There’s a lot of research to show that healthy eating habits can reduce the risk of various kinds of cancers, but it’s not clear what exactly the risk reduction means. If you are genetically predisposed to a predisposition to one particular type of cancer, a healthier diet might not be beneficial for you. However, at the same time when you are engaged in a range of ways to prevent cancer and you are at an inherent low risk of certain kinds of cancer, it is possible to cut down your risk of the cancers you are prone to to nearly zero.
How Diet Affects Cancer Risk
What exactly is your diet, and how does it influence your risk of developing cancer?
- Obesity and the risk of cancer. Obesity increases the chance of certain kinds of cancer. It is well-known that obesity is often the result of eating habits. When you drink more than what you use every day, your body converts surplus calories into fat. If you consume certain kinds of foods that are unhealthy, such as those that are high in processed sugars or unhealthy fats, you’re more likely to consume more.
- Water intake and fiber. Foods that are rich in fiber, such as leafy vegetables and whole wheat, and drinking plenty of water will help to maintain a healthy digestive system. This reduces the risk of developing a range of cancers that can impact your digestive system.
- Free radicals and antioxidants. Certain kinds of food items have antioxidants in them, particularly fruits and vegetables. Within our bodies, harmful elements referred to as free radicals may cause damage to cells, thereby increasing the risk of developing cancer. Antioxidants help eliminate free radicals within your body, which could reduce your cancer risk during the process.
- The carcinogenic substance HTML0. Certain foods and substances are deemed to be carcinogenic or associated with a higher risk of developing cancer. For example, eating large amounts of tobacco or alcohol increases your chance of developing various forms of cancer. Consuming excessive amounts of red meat could also increase the chances of getting colorectal cancer.
What Else Affects Cancer Risk?
If your diet is only having an impact on your risk of developing cancer, how else can you make it more or less likely to develop cancer?
These are a few of the other major health risk elements for getting cancer. a lot of which are out of your control.
- Age. As you age, the chance of getting cancer rises. This is a normal occurrence due to a variety of reasons. Perhaps the most important is that cells are constantly divided throughout your lifetime, and as you age, the number of cell divisions increases. Every division is accompanied by an increased risk of mutation,s and statistical evidence suggests that when you’re old enough, the likelihood of developing cancer is virtually inevitable.
- Genetics and family background. If you have an ancestral medical history, you’re more likely to get cancer on your own. There is a strong genetic link to developing various types of cancer.
- Tobacco consumption. If you use tobacco products such as chewing tobacco or cigarettes, you’re more likely to contract cancer.
- UV exposure that is not protected. Sunlight is good for us; however, it is important to apply sunscreen and other types of protection to reduce the effects of UV radiation. Exposure to excessive UV radiation can cause skin cancer.
- Exposure to specific chemicals and substances. Being exposed to carcinogenic substances or chemicals can increase the risk of cancer. For instance, asbestos exposure is often the cause of mesothelioma.
General Strategies for Reducing Cancer Risks
If you’re seeking general methods to decrease the risk of developing cancer through your diet, here are a few of the most effective:
- Be mindful of the food you consume. Improve your understanding of nutrition and pay attention to the food you eat. Be aware of ingredient labels and the nutritional content of foods in order to become more informed about your food choices and steer clear of food items that aren’t healthy for your health.
- Follow the recommendations of your primary physician. Everyone is different, so nutrition advice is difficult to give all-inclusively. If you are unsure, you must always consult your primary physician.
- Find the balance. Most people benefit from a balanced diet that is one that relies on a variety of food sources, which includes many fruits, vegetables, protein, as well as whole grains.
- Keep your weight down. Follow a healthy diet that allows you to stay slim. Do not eat foods high in sugar, or high in unhealthy fats, and portion sizes that make it difficult to go over your daily calories.
- Engage in regular exercise. While not technically an integral part of the diet you eat, eating healthy and exercising are often put together. Even mild physical activities could lower your chances of getting various forms of cancer. In addition, exercising helps reduce calories and lowers the risk of being overweight. Make sure you get at minimum 20 minutes of physical activity each day. Even a short walk is beneficial.
There’s no way to cut down the risk of developing cancer to zero. If you’re genetically predisposed to a particular kind of cancer, eating a healthier diet could not be enough to reduce the risk. However, nearly everyone can benefit from eating better and since many of these methods are simple to implement and follow, there’s no reason not to take advantage of them.