Stop eating these 8 foods to prevent Cancer

Vikas Sharma, Arvind Badyal

Carcinogen is any agent, chemical, physical or viral that causes cancer or increase the incidence of cancer and the process by which cancer develops in various tissues of the body is referred to as carcinogenesis. Cancer originates within a single cell and can be classified by the type of cell in which it originates or by the location of the cell. At present more than 100 types of cancer are known, the most commonly occurring ones are breast, cervical, central nervous system (CNS), colon, leukemia, liver, lung, oral, ovarian and prostate cancer.  A number of factors are responsible for promoting cancer, viz; physical, chemical, lifestyle, dietary, pharmacological, reproductive and genetic factors, DNA/RNA viruses and infectious diseases. Among the risk factors, the use of tobacco (cigarette, cigar, pipe or smokeless tobacco), unhealthy diet (rich in fatty foods) and physical inactivity (leading to obesity) are more likely to increase a person's risk for cancer than the very low levels of pollutants in food, drinking water and air. Recent studies have shown that poor diet and not being active are the two key factors that can increase a person's cancer risk. Besides quitting smoking, healthy food choices with a focus on plant-based foods, healthy weight, physical activity are some of the most important things you can do to lower the risk of cancer. According to the World Cancer Research almost 20% of all cancers diagnosed in America are related to physical inactivity, body fatness, excess alcohol consumption, poor nutrition and thus could be prevented:

1. Refined sugars & artificial sweeteners: Refined sugars are not only known to spike insulin levels, but also to be a preferable food for cancer cells, thus promoting their growth. This is a known fact that has been around for many years. It was in 1931 that the German Nobel laureate in medicine, Otto Warburg, first discovered that tumors and cancer cells depend on sweeteners high in fructose corn syrup (HFCS) because cancer cells can easily metabolize it. Instead of using refined sugar or artificial sweeteners you can try alternatives like honey, jaggery, blackstrap molasses, maple syrup or the stevia leaves to sweeten any dish.
2. Processed meat: Processed meat include bacon, hot dogs, sausages, bolougua or pimento loaf. A study concluded by the University of Hawaii has shown that processed meats contain high levels of chemicals and preservatives including nitrates which improves taste but are well-known carcinogens. Smoked meats are particularly unhealthy as the meat absorbs tar during the smoking process.
3. Farmed fish: Commercial fish farming involves rasing an incredible number of fishes (such as salmon) in a crowed environment. More than 60% of the salmon consumed in the United States comes from a farming operation where they treated with antibotics, pesticides and the carcinogenic chemicals to try & control the bacteria, viral & parasitic outbreaks that results from cramming so many fishes in a small space. Farmed fish also don't have as much omega-3 as wild salmon. When buying salmon make sure, it is labeled as wild.
4. Pickled & smoked foods: These products typically contain preservatives such as nitrates which are intended to prolong shelf life. The additives used in processed foods can accumulate in your body over time. Eventually such toxins cause damage at the cellular levels and lead to diseases like cancer. When smoked foods are cooked at high temperatures the nitrates are converted to much dangerous nitrites. Try to avoid pickled and smoked foods as much as possible.
5. Hydrogenated oils: Hydrogenated oils are man made products whose chemical structure has been altered to increase shelf life. Chemicals are also used to hide the odor and improve the taste of the oil. Research has proved that hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oil present in industrial processed food double the risk of breast cancer. Instead of using hydrogenated oils, use extra virgin olive oil and extra virgin coconut oil / palm oil.
6. Potato chips: These fast food staples are fried in hydrogenated vegetable oil and then heavily salted. According to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating one ounce of potato chips a day can causes an average two pound weight gain in one year. Moreover, potato chips have abundant transfats which increases cholesterol level as well as sodium which raises blood pressure levels. Potato chips are fried at high temperature that also causes them to produce acrylamide, a known carcinogen also found in cigarettes. Instead of buying potato chips from the market make these at home using healthy oils like olive oil.
7. Microwave popcorn: Microwave popcorn is a convenient and relatively healthy snack but the bag it comes in is another story. Many microwave popcorn bags are linked with a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). This toxin has been found to significantly raise the risk of breast, kidney, bladder, colorectal, prostate, lung, thyroid, leukemia and lymphoma cancers.
8. Refined white flour: When flour is refined, all nutritional value is removed and then it is bleached with chlorine gas to make it more appealing to consumers. The glycemic index for white flour is very high meaning it spikes your insulin level without providing nutritional fuel. Carbohydrates are converted to sugars by your body so excessive products that contain white flour can lead to increased insulin resistance. Instead of using refined white flour try some healthier options like whole wheat, almond, quinoa or barley flours.

(The author is Assistant Professor, Division of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Sciences SKUAST-JAMMU, Main Campus Chatha)