Foods That Fight Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

When the tissues of the lung replicate and develop at an abnormally fast rate, they form what are commonly known as tumors characteristic of the disease we refer to as lung cancer. There are two types of lung cancer: small cell and nonsmall cell. Both of them are equally dangerous. According to the American Cancer Society, only 15 percent of the people who are diagnosed with nonsmall cell lung cancer will live longer than five years. However, recent studies also show that by regularly consuming the foods below patients can improve their quality of life and enhance the functioning of their immune system to help them fight the illness.

Berries

• Eat more berries, especially strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. They are an excellent way to add vitamin C and fiber to your diet. Additionally, they provide your body with flavonoids, anthocyanosides and ellagic acid. Recent studies by the American Institute of Cancer Research suggest those particular substances have been shown to prevent the development of nonsmall cell lung cancer as well as cancers of the skin, bladder and breast. They act as powerful antioxidants, slowing the growth of cancerous cells and disabling cancer-causing agents.

Vitamin D

• Get some sunshine. In a study done by the Association for American Cancer Research, patients who underwent standard treatment for nonsmall cell lung cancer in the summer, when sun exposure and vitamin D intake are at their highest, had a five-year survival rate that was almost twice as high as those who underwent treatment in the winter. In light of this discovery, you might want to increase your daily intake of foods rich in vitamin D, such as milk, shrimp, eggs, cod fish and salmon.

Turmeric

• Sprinkle some turmeric over your dinner. This pungent seasoning, which causes many curry dishes to have a distinct yellow hue, also contains a chemical known as curcumin. Curcumin has strong anti-inflammatory properties. In recent studies done by the Anderson Center for Cancer Research, those properties have been shown to interfere with the creation, growth and development of cancer cells. You can find turmeric in the spice aisle on its own, or as the main ingredient in commercially prepared curry powder. It is a nice addition to chicken, lamb, rice and vegetable dishes.

Folic Acid

• Cancer is, in the most general sense, a product of malfunctioning DNA. It stands to reason that the DNA regulator found in folate, which is a component of dietary folic acid or mentyl, can influence the growth (or suppression) of cancer cells. In a study done by the American Lung Association, the long-term effects of folic acid were studied in more than 27,000 men who smoked. Those who made sure they had at least the minimum recommended amount of folic acid in their diet (400 micrograms), reduced their risk of developing lung cancer by almost half. Get your folic acid by drinking more orange juice, eating enriched breakfast cereal, snacking on peanuts, and adding leafy greens to your plate--particularly spinach and kale.

Tea

• Hot in the winter or iced in the summer, tea can enhance your cancer-fighting food plan all year long. No matter how your prepare it and no matter what color it is, tea leaves contain the compound kaempferol. This substance has been studied by researchers at Harvard Medical School, where current reports suggest the naturally occurring chemical offers regular tea drinkers a certain amount of cancer protection. According to the study, those who consume at least four cups of tea per day are 46 percent less likely to develop lung, colon or pancreatic cancer.

Suggestions

• If you are unable to face the idea of making major changes in your diet, small changes can make a big difference in your overall health. For example, eating five to six small meals, rather than two to three large ones, and taking steps to include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet can help bolster your immune system and help your body fight the development of cancer.

Warning

• Alternative therapies should be used to help support conventional treatment methods, not replace them. Eating the proper foods helps fight nonsmall cell lung cancer, it does not cure it.