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Cancer Cures & Phytonutrients

Many medical professionals and researchers attribute the increase in cancer rates that are being seen to the environmental factors that exist today. Other physicians and scientists believe that diet is partially to blame for the rise in cancer in recent decades. These medical professionals think that a combination of cancer cures and phytonutrients in the diet is the best way to combat the disease.

  1. Phytonutrients Defined

    • To understand phytonutrients, it is important to understand free radicals and antioxidants. Free radicals are the normal byproduct of metabolism. When there is an excessive amount of free radicals in the body, diseases such as cancer may occur. Antioxidants typically neutralize free radicals but many things can throw this balance off, including environmental pollutants and the effects of aging. Phytonutrients are antioxidants that can stop this free radical damage. Phytonutrients are found in fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and tea. They are the substance that causes a food's naturally occurring color. As a general rule, the more colorful a food is in its natural state, the more phytonutrients it is going to contain.

    Phytonutrients and Cancer Prevention

    • There is some research which supports the notion that phytonutrients fight cancer cells. Such research encourages many cancer patients and their physicians to combine the traditional cancer treatment with a diet rich in phytonutrients. More research is necessary to conclusively prove that phytonutrients are essential to cancer treatment. However, since eating phytonutrient-rich foods is not a harmful diet, many cancer patients see nothing detrimental about trying this healthful diet as a way to help rid their bodies of the disease.

    Summary

    • The powerful antioxidants called phytonutrients are found in foods that are considered healthy by doctors and patients alike. These foods include fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts and tea. Advances in research show that phytonutrients can keep cancer cells from forming. Studies also conclude that phytonutrients can kill cancer cells. While more work needs to be done on phytonutrient research, there is no doubt that the foods containing these antioxidants is healthy, and should be consumed at recommended amounts whether a person has cancer or not.

      This phytonutrient type of eating is not only healthy, it is a tasteful and satisfying way to eat and fight disease.

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