Cancer Reduction Confirmed in Recent Studies

Benefits of a diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean meats and poultry: 

The positive effects of a good diet were the focus of a review that looked at the diet and health of more than 42,000 women (the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project) and followed up after five years. Participants were scored for their intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean meats and poultry and then their general health status was tracked. Risk of fatal disease was reduced by 30% among the 20,000 women who followed the diet most closely.

JAMA 2000 Apr 26;283(16):2109-15

Protective effects of fruits and vegetables among people with exposure to toxins: 

Another study of interest looked at protective effects of green and yellow vegetables in more than 38,000 atomic bomb survivors in Japan. Consuming green-yellow vegetables 2 to 4 times a week was found to cut risk of bladder cancer by almost 40%. A diet that included fruit cut risk by as much as 40 to 50%. Chicken in the diet was also had some associated with decreased risk. The consumption of the other dietary items, including meat and green tea, was not related to risk. "The findings add to evidence that high consumption of vegetables and fruit are protective against bladder cancer."

Int J Cancer 2000 Apr 1;86(1):132-8

Increased risk of cancer associated with a diet high in red meat: 

Eating red meat appears to cause a major increase in the incidence of cancer. Recent research in Milan, Italy looked at the effects of diet in more than 10,000 case of cancer, compared with the health histories of about 8,000 other hospital patients who did not have cancer. Red meat consumption (seven or more times a week) was found to increase the risk of cancer by 50% or more for stomach, rectal, pancreatic, and bladder cancers. For colon cancer, the risk was almost doubled (ratio 1.9). Risk increased by about 20% for breast cancer and 30% for ovarian cancer. No major differences were found due to age or gender.

Int J Cancer 2000 May 1;86(3): 425-8

The protective effects of Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil: 

When cancer is present, Omega 3 fatty acids such as those in fish oil, were found to decrease inflammation and improve survival in a study at Colorado State University. Readers who already have a developed health condition will want to check with their doctor before making changes in their supplement program.

Cancer 2000 Apr 15;88(8):1916-28

Exercise – Intense exercise and possible DNA damage: 

The relationship between exercise and DNA damage was the focus of Danish scientists, who did an extensive review of the existing research. They came to several practical conclusions for anyone who exercises.

1. Keep up your overall intake of antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E. During exercise, there appears to be a shift of antioxidants (such as C and E) from the muscles to the blood stream, and that is protective.
2. These nutrients are "dietary-dependent," which means that they have to be replaced on a regular basis.
3. Additional supplemented antioxidants didn't seem to improve performance, but could be preventive.

When are we at risk of damage to DNA from exercise? Prolonged moderate exercise doesn't seem to have negative effects ­ nor does intense brief exercise. However, intense exercise of long duration has been consistently found to produce changes in the genetic DNA that "might even increase the risk for cancer and other diseases." So if you are a marathoner or do triathlons, be sure to work with your doctor or healthcare practitioner to develop a sound program of antioxidant protection.

Proc Nutr Soc 1999 Nov;58(4):1007