Search
Language
The anti-neoplastic diet
Table of Contents
1. How does a cancer evolve?
Cancerous changes evolve due to damage to the structure of genetic material (DNA) in the body. A cancer arises when the internal environment experiences loss of control over deoxyribonucleic acid replication and cell division or cell composition processes. The spread and progression of cancer disease largely depend on the functioning of the immune system. The mechanisms responsible for combating reactive oxygen forms, known as free radicals, also play a role. Cancer cells exhibit the ability for uncontrolled and spontaneous growth and migration throughout the body. They develop until they lead to the death of the organism.2. Cancer Incidences – Statistics
Despite growing consciousness surrounding cancer prevention and diagnosis, the number of cases remains high. In 2018, 167,446 instances and 101,391 cancer-related deaths were documented. Men most commonly develop prostate cancer (19.6%), lung cancer (16.1%), and colon cancer (7.2%), while women are most often diagnosed with breast cancer (22.5%), lung cancer (9.3%), and cervical cancer (7.2%) (U. Wojciechowska et al. 2020).3. Factors contributing to the development of cancers
Neoplastic changes may arise due to genetic and environmental factors. Only a small proportion of cases are related exclusively to genetic burden. The majority of them are the result of lifestyle, including inadequate dietary habits. The most important risk factors for the development of cancer diseases include: smoking, unhealthy diet, and genetic predispositions (R. Beliveau, D. Gingras 2007). Tumors also develop due to environmental pollution and ionizing radiation (J. W. Guzek 2008).4. Carcinogenic substances
– Red meat and its processed products. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IRAC) classified processed meat as carcinogenic to humans and unprocessed red meat as likely to cause cancer (V. Bouvard et al., 2015). Processed meat is a source of nitrates and nitrites, chemicals that are commonly used to preserve meat products. These compounds in the human body are carcinogens that are responsible for the development of cancers in humans.5. Obesity and Cancerous Tumors
Excess weight and obesity can increase the risk of various diseases, including cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity and overweight account for 741% of all cancer types, including pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and bladder cancer (P. Jaworski, A. Binda 2015; B. Kaczmarek-Borowska, K. Synoś, K. Zielińska 2018). This process is complex and involves the increased secretion of proinflammatory substances and the decreased secretion of anti-inflammatory substances. This leads to a series of processes that result in damage to genetic material. The link between excess body weight and cancer involves the metabolism of estrogens, the insulin-like growth factor (IGF), the immune system, and oxidative stress. Adipose tissue is highly metabolically active and produces hormones with proinflammatory properties, such as TNF-α, IL-6, IGF, as well as hormones like leptin and adiponectin. Leptin is a hormone that exhibits carcinogenic activity on cells in the digestive tract, while adiponectin, which has a lower concentration in overweight individuals, inhibits the mTOR pathway involved in cancer development.6. An anti-cancer diet - What to eat?
A diet rich in processed red meat, sugar, salt, and large utilities (alcohol, smoking tobacco) predisposes to the development of cancerous changes. According to the American Academy of Sciences, nutrition is the second (after tobacco smoking) leading cause of cancer disease. An anti-cancer diet aims to reduce the risk of cancer. It is based on unprocessed foods - vegetables, fruits, whole grain products, fatty fish from good sources, lean meats, dairy products, eggs, cold-pressed plant oils, nuts, seeds, and plant fats. A model of nutrition that works against cancer is the Mediterranean diet (C. La Vecchia 2007). Health-promoting properties of the Mediterranean diet result from the high consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grain products, and moderate consumption of fish and dairy products, as well as very low consumption of red meat. In the Mediterranean diet, small amounts of red wine are allowed, which is a source of resveratrol with strong antioxidant properties. The main source of fat is olive oil, which provides unsaturated fatty acids. The Mediterranean diet has anti-inflammatory properties and is characterized by a favorable ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids of 2:1. It not only reduces the inflammatory state, but also contributes to the reduction of damage to genetic material (DNA) (M. Ch. Mentella et al. 2019). C. Bosetti, C. Pelucchi, C. Vecchia have shown that the Mediterranean diet reduces the likelihood of colon cancer, prostate cancer, and endometrial cancer.7. The diet combating cancer - fruits and vegetables
A high intake of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of cancerous mutations. Meta-analysis by F. Turati et al. The World Health Organization has shown that high consumption of vegetables and fruits has a positive effect on the risk for many cancers, especially changes in the digestive tract. M. S. Farvid and al. Show that consumption of yellow and orange vegetables in particular and onion vegetables may decrease risk of developing breast cancer. World Health Organisation recommends consuming at least 400 grams of fruits and vegetables daily.8. The anti-cancer diet - a plant-based substance known as fiber
Food fiber increases the mass of feces, accelerates peristaltic movements of the intestines, and removes poisonous substances from the body. It is also a source of nourishment for the gut microflora. As a result of fiber fermentation, short-chain fatty acids are produced, including butyric acid. Butyric acid contributes to inhibiting the process of cancer cell differentiation and leads to their demise (B. Kaczmarek-Borowska 2018). D. Aune and colleagues demonstrated that consuming at least 10 grams of fiber per day, which comes from whole grain products, reduces the risk of developing colon cancer by 10%. The World Health Organization recommends consuming food fiber in an amount of at least 25 grams per day.9. Cancer development and physical exertion
Engaging in regular physical activities helps to decrease the risk of developing cancer diseases. Primarily, by participating in daily exercises, one can maintain a normal body weight. This positively affects blood sugar levels, insulin, and sex hormones, reduces inflammation, and supports the immune system. At least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day or at least 150 minutes per week contributes to reducing the risk of cancer by 4% compared to less frequent activities (according to K. Borzucka-Sitkiewicz, 2019). It is important to note that there is no single product that can guarantee protection against the development of cancer. The recommended diet should mainly consist of minimally processed products, rich in vegetables and fruits, and whole-grain products. It is advisable to limit the consumption of red meat and its processed products and avoid indulgences.
