In 1990, the President of the United States, George H.W. Bush announced to the NY Times:
“I do not like broccoli. And I haven’t liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I’m President of the United States and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli.” 1
Notwithstanding our former president’s opinion, broccoli is one of the many foods scientifically proven to prevent cancer. Eating the right foods prevent cancer.
Certainly, foods prevent cancer by their influence on a vital process in the body called angiogenesis.
What is angiogenesis?
Angiogenesis is the process our bodies use to grow and maintain blood vessels. This process is a vital defense mechanism—control of the balance of where and when new blood vessels are needed and created. In addition, these blood vessels support life by delivering oxygen and nutrients to the entire body.
For example, when you suffer a deep cut, the wounded cells in the area experience a lack of oxygen. The cells release growth factors which stimulate angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels) as the wound heals.
A healthy angiogenic system correctly determines where and when new blood vessels are required to keep all systems healthy and functioning properly. A properly balanced angiogenic system results in enough blood vessels, but not too many. However, many factors can derail this system. The result is too many blood vessels or not enough of them to support the tissues of the body.
What does angiogenesis have to do with cancer?
Every single person has cancer cells growing in the body. Yes, everyone. However, the body has many defense mechanisms to heal itself. One of these systems, the angiogenic system, cuts off the blood supply to cancer cells so they will not grow and eventually die.
Problems occur when the system is out of balance. For example, abnormal blood vessels may grow where they shouldn’t. Therefore, cancer cells with adequate blood vessels supplying oxygen and nutrients proliferate and become tumors. Whereas cancer cells without a blood supply die.
Anti-angiogenic drugs for cancer treatment
Blocking nutrients and oxygen from a tumor “starves” it. Therefore, the knowledge of the role of angiogenesis in tumor growth has led to the development of drugs to block angiogenesis to treat cancer. Often these anti-angiogenic drugs are options for metastatic disease. (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body)
Anti-angiogenic foods to prevent cancer
But if anti-angiogenic drugs treat cancer, how can foods prevent cancer? Specific foods and beverages can boost your angiogenic defense mechanism and therefore lower your risk of cancer and even other diseases caused by excessive angiogenesis.
Some other diseases where angiogenic defenses are breached (other than many types of cancer): Age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes-related vision loss, endometriosis, obesity, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Eat to Prevent Cancer
In his book, Eat to Beat Disease, Dr. William Li lists anti-angiogenic foods. These foods keep the angiogenic system in balance so that microscopic cancer cells die before they can grow and spread.
For example, here is a small sample of the extensive list:
Soy: fresh and fermented soy products such as edamame, soymilk, tofu, miso, natto, tempeh. Convincing scientific studies show that instead of causing cancer, phytoestrogens in soy reduce the risks of cancer.2
Fruits and vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, kale, tomatoes, stone fruits (plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, mango), apples, berries (raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries)
Seafood: salmon, yellowtail, bluefin tuna, arctic char, anchovies, mackerel, crab and many more
Beverages: green tea, chamomile tea, red wine
Spices and herbs: rosemary, oregano, turmeric, licorice, cinnamon
Other: tree nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, pistachios, pine nuts, macadamia), beans, olive oil (extra virgin, cold-pressed), dark chocolate
Dr. Li’s 5x5x5 Program
Support your 5 health defense systems with the 5x5x5 program. For instance, one of these is the angiogenic system. Dr. Li’s book details four additional defense systems that heal the body from within.
From the list of 200+ foods, pick 5 foods to eat each day, as part of 5 meals a day (breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, dessert)
Certainly, this program is simple, easy to adhere to, and adaptable to individual preferences and dietary restrictions.
Conclusion
In summary, foods prevent cancer by assisting the body to heal itself. The right foods. Real food. Food made by God, not in a factory.
A diet rich in anti-angiogenic foods can lower the risk of cancer by balancing the angiogenic defense system. Therefore, cancer cells do not have a blood supply and do not grow.
Therefore, Food is Medicine.
Disclaimer
I only scratched the surface of the amazing power of food to prevent and heal diseases by summarizing this extensive topic. Therefore, I highly recommend the book Eat to Beat Disease if this post piqued your interest, as it did mine.
However, diet is a complementary therapy to be used besides traditional therapies such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation to treat cancer. 3
References
- https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/george_h_w_bush_110377
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19996398
- https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/integrative-medicine/types-complementary-therapies
Another great blog full of very beneficial facts about healthy eating. Thanks Sue. Mare
Thank you so much for your comment! I am glad you found the post beneficial.
Thank you for information on anti-angiogenic foods. I notice when eating at restaurants broccoli is a common side dish to pick from. Now if we could only get more restaurants to serve more healthy foods.
Thank you for your comment! I try to go to restaurants that have healthy options but sometimes it is difficult, especially fast food.