"Let food by thy medicine and medicine be thy food."
-Hippocrates
Food is medicine against cancer when you know what to eat and what not to eat. An optimal diet with cancer fighting foods promotes cancer cell death along with optimal health throughout your body, mind, and spirit. Explore our cancer information about a quality cancer diet to support quality of life and cancer survival. Nutrition and cancer is one of the most important areas of focus in an integrative cancer care plan.
"Diet affects cancer both directly and indirectly. Nutrients directly impact the mechanisms by which cancer cells grow and spread. They indirectly help control the cancer by changing the surrounding biochemical conditions that either encourage or discourage the progression of malignant disease."
-Keith Block MD, Life Over Cancer
Nutrition and cancer recommendations about top cancer fighting foods to eat were compiled based on research studies and cancer resources at the end of this section with emphasis on Anticancer by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD. Please keep in mind that our cancer information provides general anticancer dietary recommendations. Since each person is unique, variability exists between optimal cancer fighting foods for you compared to other people. Since most people eat multiple times daily, cancer diet choices have a strong and constant impact on the body. The foods that you eat support your wellness, vitality, quality of life, and length of life. For cancer patients receiving therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy, proper nutrition can increase the efficacy and diminish the toxicity of conventional cancer treatments. Proper nutrition with cancer fighting foods is also a primary area of focus for cancer prevention. The largest epidemiological study conducted on the global relationship of environmental factors and cancer prevention indicates that 50 percent of cancers have a nutritional component1.
Educate yourself with cancer information about top cancer fighting foods in a cancer diet supporting cancer cell death and your optimal wellness. Learn what nutrition and cancer through foods that create harmony versus havoc to your body, mind, and spirit. Consult with an integrative cancer care expert in nutrition and cancer, read quality cancer information books about food choices, and listen to your body to create your optimal cancer diet.
Cruciferous Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, collard greens, kale, chard, watercress, turnip, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, kohlrabi, and others
- Contains very powerful anticancer compounds through glucosinolates, including sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinols
- Promotes cancer cell death
- Blocks the growth of new blood vessels needed for cancer growth
- Detoxifies certain cancer causing substances
- Prevents precancerous cells from developing into malignant tumors
Carotenoids: Fruits and vegetables bright-colored yellow, orange, and red
- Stimulates the growth of immune cells and increases their capacity to attack tumor cells through lutein, lycopene, phytoene, and canthaxanthin
Leafy Greens
- Acts as an antioxidant
- Supports immune functions
Sprouts: Broccoli sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, kale sprouts, sunflower seed greens, wheatgrass juice, barley grass juice, oat grass juice, cabbage sprouts, cauliflower sprouts, and others
- Contains high levels of chlorophyll supporting many healthy functions in the body
- Acts as an antioxidant
- Provides cells with high levels of enzymes supporting detoxification and other benefits
Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, pomegranates, grapes, and others
- Contains ellagic acid that supports anticancer activity
- Stimulates mechanisms of elimination of cancer causing substances in the body
- Inhibits the growth of blood vessels that support cancer
- Enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy
Garlic, Onions, Leeks, Shallots, and Chives
- Helps remove toxic substances such as nitrosamines and N-nitroso compounds that are created in overgrilled meat and during tobacco consumption
- Promotes the death of cancer cells
- Regulates blood sugar levels that reduces insulin secretion and IGF and thereby the growth of cancer cells
- Enhances immune function
- Reduces blood clotting and lowers blood pressure
Herbs and Spices
Turmeric and Curry
- Acts as the most powerful anti-inflammatory
- Helps stimulate the death of cancer cells
- Inhibits the growth of new blood vessels needed for cancer growth
- Enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy and reduces tumor growth in the laboratory
Ginger
- Acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
- Acts against certain cancer cells
- Helps reduce the creation of new blood vessels needed for cancer growth
- Alleviates nausea from chemotherapy or radiotherapy
Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Basil, and Mint
- Promotes the death of cancer cells and reduces their spread by blocking the enzymes they need to invade neighboring tissues
- Acts as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
Green Tea
- Reduces the growth of new blood vessels needed for cancer growth and metastases through high levels of polyphenols, including catechins
- Acts as a powerful antioxidant and detoxifier activating enzymes in the liver that eliminate toxins from the body
- Facilitates the death of cancer cells
- Enhances the effects of radiotherapy on cancer cells in the laboratory
Seaweed: Nori, kombu, wakame, arame, and dulse
- Inhibits tumor growth
- Helps reduce the formation of new blood cells needed for cancer growth
- Stimulates immune cells such as T-cells and natural killer cells
- Acts as an anti-inflammatory
Mushrooms: Maitake, agaricus, shiitake, reishi, turkey tails, enokidake, cremini, Portobello, oyster, and caterpillar fungus or cordyceps
- Stimulates the reproduction and activity of immune cells such as natural killer cells
- Enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy while reducing side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
- Helps to suppress cancer metastasis
Whole Grains: Brown rice, buckwheat, whole-grain bread, wild rice, rye, quinoa, whole-wheat pasta, barley, and others
Note: People with gluten allergies need to avoid glutens.
- Dilutes, binds, inactivates, and removes carcinogens, cholesterol, bile acids, and various toxic substances
- Prevents the fueling of some types of cancers by balancing levels of glucose and insulin
Fish
Caution: Many fish contain high levels of toxins such as mercury. Generally, the bigger the fish, the more toxins, and the smaller the fish, the less toxins. Deepwater, northern ocean fish are best, including salmon, cod, haddock, mackerel, and sardines.
- Supplies omega-3 fatty acids
- Acts as an anti-inflammatory
- Strengthens healthy cellular structure, function, and communication
- Stimulates immune cells and function
- Supports cancer prevention and may promote anti-cancer activity
- Promotes brain and nervous system health
"Omega-3s can reverse tumor metastasis as well as a tumor's resistance to radiation or chemotherapy, and may also enhance the effectiveness and minimize the toxic side effects of some chemotherapy drugs."
-Keith Block, MD, Life Over Cancer
Oils, Nuts, and Seeds
Note: Healthy oils include olive, hemp, walnut, coconut, and flaxseed oils that are not rancid. Coconut oil is the most stable for cooking at high temperatures, but must be consumed in moderation. Avoid corn, soy, vegetable, peanut, sunflower, and safflower oils.
- Supplies omega-3 fats and especially through flaxseeds and walnuts
- Acts as an anti-inflammatory
- Supports healthy cellular, structure, function, and communication
- Stimulates immune cells and function
- Promotes brain and nervous system health
What are some other recommendations about foods to support detoxification?
"Nutrition must be optimized for efficient detoxification. The diet must be based upon whole foods (plenty of vegetables, fruits, and fiber) and should emphasize foods with a net alkalinizing impact with lower amounts of acid-forming foods. Generous portions of cruciferous vegetables should be eaten daily, along with modest amounts of olive oil, as well as onions, garlic, and modest amounts of lean, unprocessed proteins. Supplements can include alkalinizing minerals (Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, and Zinc), along with multivitamin/trace elements, essential fatty acids (DHA/EPA), N-acetylcysteine, lipoic acid, and antioxidant support (vitamins C and E, grape seed extract, green tea extract)2."
For More Information
- Anticancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD
- The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-Term Health by T. Colin Campbell, PhD & Thomas M. Campbell II
- Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr
- Foods That Fight Cancer: Preventing Cancer Through Diet by Richard Beliveau, PhD & Denis Gingras, PhD
- Integrative Oncology by Donald Abrams, MD and Andy Weil, MD
- Life Over Cancer: The Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment by Keith Block, MD
Recipe Books
- The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen: Nourishing, Big-Flavor Recipes for Cancer Treatment and Recovery by Rebecca Katz and Mat Edelson
- One Bit at a Time by Rebecca Katz and Mat Edelson
Other Educational Resources
Our most popular resources about the body and cancer
 Nutrition and Cancer Top Tips
You are what you eat! Some foods kill cancer cells and others promote cancer cell growth. Learning the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods in the midst of cancer is essential.
 Inflammation and Cancer
Turn down the heat and extinguish the fire. Inflammation is associated with cancer. Empower yourself with this must know information to reduce cancer risk, improve quality of life, and in some cases cancer survival.
 Antioxidants and Cancer
Foods and supplements with antioxidants provide important health benefits, including against cancer. Also learn about potential risks and benefits when combining antioxidants with radiation and chemotherapy.
 Conventional Cancer Treatments
Read information about conventional cancer treatments. Learn about the benefits of using conventional cancer treatments in an integrative model. Explore our resources for quality cancer care.
Our other most popular resources
 Cancer Resources
Knowledge is power. Reliable resources are empowering. We provide clear information, explanations, and maps to educate and empower. Explore our integrative cancer care resources for navigation tools and support.
 Mind-Body Strategies
The mental and emotional inner life impacts health and healing through the mind-body connection. Learn about empowering mind-body practices supporting mind, body, and spirit for cancer patients and caregivers.
 Spiritual Support
The spiritual dimensions of life often become more prominent in the midst of cancer for cancer patients and their loved ones. Explore our empowering information about spirituality for support and strategies.
References
- Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a global perspective. World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research, 2009
- Textbook of Functional Medicine
|