Bright-colored vegetables help prevent ovarian cancer.
Leading a healthy lifestyle is extremely important in order to prevent future health complications. For women, just making smart nutritional decisions, like including more vegetables, fruits and grains in their diet, can help prevent major health problems like ovarian cancer, which is a deadly cancer if not treated.
Ovarian Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, ovarian cancer is a sometimes fatal cancer that forms in the tissues of the female ovary. Based on studies done by the National Cancer Institute from 2002 to 2006, 13.1 in 100,000 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is typically treated by chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, vaccine therapy and immunotherapy. By simply eating healthy and exercising, women can lower the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals, or flavinoids, in certain food sources can potentially help prevent ovarian cancer. For example, phenolic compounds (found in soy beans, cereal grains, garlic, green tea and a few other sources) and isoflavones (found in flax seed, soybeans and legumes) are recognized to help prevent ovarian cancer. Other phytochemicals include mono-terpenes, organo-sulfides, indoles, carotenoids and isothiocyanates.
Carotenoids and Lycopene
Carotenoids and lycopene, which are found in many fruits and vegetables, are known to help lower the risk of developing cancers like ovarian cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. A study reported in the International Journal of Cancer showed that women who ate more fruits and vegetables in their diets every day had a reduced risk of developing ovarian cancer vs. women who did not get enough carotene and lycopene in their diet. Two foods that stood out in this study were tomato sauce and raw carrots. Fruits and vegetables are extremely important for women to include in their diet, because they defend cells from DNA damage, prevent inflammation and manage cell growth.
Other Food Sources
Besides leafy, colorful vegetables and antioxidant-filled fruits, women can help lower the risk of developing ovarian cancer by including more whole grains (like rye, wheat, oats, barley, rice and corn), allium vegetables (such as leeks, onion, shallots, garlic and chives) and beans (like soybeans, lima beans, peanuts, chickpeas, peas and kidney beans) into their diet.
Pills
Some studies conducted by Daniel W. Cramer, M.D., a Harvard Medical School professor, found that just taking a multivitamin to meet essential vitamin and mineral needs actually increases the risk of cancer to develop in the ovaries. Thus, it is extremely important for women to eat foods rich in carotenoids, like corn, spinach, pizza sauce, oranges and broccoli, as well as take a daily multivitamin to boost vitamin and mineral intake.
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