Fighting Cancer From The Kitchen

Last week, I heard that I haven’t quite conquered cancer as valiantly as expected and that there is, in fact, still some of that little critter lurking in my lymph. Still, that is the least interesting part of the post. Cancer is a weird one. It is so responsive to attitude and a general disposition of positivity and wellness. Much more (in my opinion) than other diseases. So, I’m putting on my positive pants and researching things I can do right now (before the op and whatever treatment they decide on) to boost my system and kick that cancer in the pants. Along the way, I’ve found a lot of “damn the man” kinds of posts that are against all things medicinal and chemical. I respect most opinions, but don’t accept all of them. I believe in balance. Still, there is no denying the results of a number of lines of research that testify to the healing powers of herbs, spices and other foods. This is so practical for me. They taste good, they’re accessible and they help. What kind of friendly blogger would I be if I didn’t share?

Here are some of the most beneficial ingredients to include in your antioxidant diet (I’ve limited them to Banting-friendly / ketogenic-compatible ingredients):

Broccoli – broccoli sprouts are especially effective for colorectal cancers, as they have antioxidant properties, and also aid in the total detox of the body.

Ginseng – this builds resistance and fights infections.

Rooibos tea – I can’t even start with the healthful effects of real rooibos tea, only one of which is its antioxidant quality. I can’t even. Just drink it.

Lemon – lemons re-establish a more neutral pH in the body, which creates an environment in which cancer starves.

Wheat grass – I can imagine few things that taste worse than this powder. Try to get it in tablet form. Still, this is fantastic as it has been shown to stunt the growth of cancer cells, strengthen the immune system and assist the body to expel waste and toxins.

Aloe Vera – this is especially good for cancers of the prostate and lung.

Tomatoes – cooked tomatoes contain high levels of lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant that removes free radicals.

Olive oil – this oil contains hydroxytyrosol, which may help in the prevention of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Turmeric – Curcumin is part of turmeric and has the precious ability to be able to destroy cancer cells and promote healthy cell function. It works well when coupled with chemotherapy too. It works by inhibiting the growth of tumour cells, decreasing inflammation, inhibiting the mutation of a normal cell to a cancerous one, and preventing the development of an additional blood supply (which would be necessary for the cancer cells to grow). Try this recipe for a really delicious way to enjoy large quantities of curcumin.

Garlic – its antibacterial properties and its ability to block the formation of cancer-causing substances make garlic a treasure for your pantry. It is also known to stop the activation of cancer-causing substances, improve DNA repair, and even induce cell death of the cancer.

Ginger – this delicious root actually causes apoptosis of the cancer cells (which involves them killing themselves while they leave surrounding healthy cells alone) and helps to create an environment that is unfavourable for cancer.

Black pepper – the piperine in black pepper is an antioxidant, and its effects are multiplied when it is combined with turmeric.

Cayenne pepper – this stuff is a magic antioxidant that makes everything taste good as it tricks the cancer cells into destroying themselves. I’ve even taken to putting it on my salad. Now I’m hungry.

Oregano – this herb also encourages apoptosis, particularly in breast cancers. It is good for the treatment of colds, acne, bronchitis, headaches, heart conditions, allergies, and more.

I would love to hear from other moms with cancer, or from those who would like a free copy of my weekly diet plan that is Banting-friendly and rich in anti-oxidants.