Nutrition and Cancer Prevention: Expert Tips from Harvard University

2024-02-16 21:42:08

MIAMI — Keep a good nutrition It is, without a doubt, a key factor in having a healthy life and reducing the risk of suffering from various diseases, including canceraccording to experts at the TH Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University.

Los ultra-processed foods, including chips, candy, and manufactured foods, form a large part of the American diet. Just like the processed meatssuch as bacon, sausages and other common sausages.

All of these foods have been implicated in increasing the rate of cancer. in the country, according to Harvard researchers. In the United States, it is estimated that each year 1.9 million new cases of cancer.

In addition, of these types of foods that are usually harmful to health, alcohol is another risk factor that increases the chances of suffering from some type of cancer. This is stated by Vincent L. Gregory Jr. Professor of Cancer Prevention at the Chan School, Timothy Rebbeck, who maintains that alcohol is “a carcinogen”.

Cancer: risk factors

Although the biological mechanisms behind different types of cancer vary, inflammation is a common cause of this disease. When low-level inflammation caused by diet becomes chronic, the stress placed on cells can lead to disease, as reviewed by The Harvard Gazettefollowing the debate “Reducing cancer risk through nutrition”which was held in partnership with the Zhu Family Center for Global Cancer Prevention.

“Chronic inflammation occurs for years and years and cells become deregulated and mutate (…) That is the type of inflammation in which we believe that diet and nutrition, as well as other things, They can have an impact and would be very important in the cause of cancer”stated Timothy Rebbeck.

Other factors that influence the risk of suffering from cancer are high levels of insulin circulating in the body, as occurs when obesity occurs and in the initial stage of type 2 diabetes. In addition, certain fats.

“Having chronically high levels of inflammation and insulin (and probably some cancer-promoting lipids) is the greatest impact of diet on cancer“said Edward Giovannucci, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Chan School.

What foods should be consumed?

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins is not only beneficial for those looking to improve heart health and lower blood sugar levels. A healthy diet can reduce the risk of cancer, according to Harvard experts, who recommend reducing the consumption of red and processed meats.

“In general, it is known that a plant-based diet is very useful for long-term health (…) There are many plants, but not just plants,” said registered dietitian Eliza Leone.

The specialist mentioned that The healthy diet recommended by Harvard is made up of 50% fruits and vegetablesand the rest is divided between whole grains and healthy proteins.

While they urged consumers to be wary of health claims regarding supplements, they noted that studies have suggested that vitamin D has cancer-fighting properties.

The finding was made during the VITAL study, led by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. This showed that vitamin D supplements taken for six years reduced cancer death rates.

Other recommendations

Nutrition professor Edward Giovannucci added that folate, which is typically sold as folic acid, may be beneficial once morest this disease. However, he warned regarding megadoses, since some compounds, such as selenium and zinc, can promote cancer if consumed in very high doses.

Likewise, the researchers highlighted the benefits of doing exercises, which help reduce the risk of bladder, breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, stomach and kidney cancers. “The anti-inflammatory power of physical activity is a key factor,” said Giovannucci.

Regarding intermittent fasting, which has gained popularity in recent years, they noted that there is not much evidence that the method reduces the risk of this disease.

Eliza Elone stated that the problem with this diet is that people often feel justified in eating whatever they want, including highly processed foods, when they are not fasting. “Most diets are not sustainable in the long term and it is better to focus on healthy options and portion control,” he recommended.

Experts advise, however, to spend more time in the kitchen to improve your diet and effectively take care of your health.

“One of the most important things you can do to improve nutrition in your life is to feel more comfortable in the kitchen; “All of these nutritional recommendations come down to what you eat,” she emphasized.

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FUENTE: With information from The Harvard Gazette

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