Lifestyle choices effect each stage of cancer?

Yesterday we discussed how excess weight heightens your risk of colon cancer—and the importance of following a balanced diet.

So, today, let’s talk more about your lifestyle choices.

More specifically, how such choices may affect all stages of the carcinogenesis process: initiation, promotion, and progression.

Let me explain…

Vitamin deficiencies influence risk

As part of the Precision Health session: Oncology, held during the 7th International Congress of the Spanish Society of Precision Health (SESAP), researchers discussed the link between cancer and lifestyle.

(It’s such a relief to see medical research on nutrition, even if it stems from Europe.)

More specifically, how nutrition can influence all stages of cancer.

Here are the most common deficiencies that may influence the initiation stage (when cell mutation begins): B vitamins (B12, B6, B3), vitamin C, vitamin D, folate, magnesium, selenium, and zinc.

And guess what heightens your risk of these deficiencies?

A diet full of processed junk foods. Whereas regularly enjoying fresh, whole foods will help boost your levels. (For added support, most of these key nutrients are found in high-quality multivitamins.)

In addition, you might want to limit consumption of the following, as they negatively impact the initiation stage…

Aflatoxin (present in peanuts, corn, rice, wheat, sunflower seeds, and more) and added nitrates/nitrites (found in processed meats and tobacco), which actually form nitrosamines (the carcinogenic culprit).

Lifestyle choices are important

Now, let’s move on to the promotion (where mutated cells grow and survive) and progression (when affected cells spread) stages of cancer.

The lifestyle factors that influence these stages shouldn’t come as a surprise: stress, body clock disruption, sedentary behavior, obesity, high blood sugar, gut imbalance, and vitamin D deficiency. (These are all the things I discuss with each of my patients.)

All of these factors increase inflammation—the root cause of all disease, especially cancer.

Of course, nutrition—through diet and smart supplementation—is important during these stages, too.

For example, phytochemicals (natural plant compounds found in ginger, turmeric, broccoli, and more) and omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil) can inhibit inflammation.

In fact, I was quite impressed that the researchers noted cancer is a disease with a clear metabolic component. (Something we don’t always hear about from conventional doctors here in the States!)

Not to mention, exercise also produces anti-inflammatory effects. (Learn more in the July 2016 issue of my monthly Logical Health Alternatives newsletter [“The next big cancer breakthrough—coming soon to a gym near you?”]. Not yet a subscriber? Click here to become one!)

The researchers even noted that low oxygen levels drive tumor aggression.

But guess what can ensure you have enough oxygen in your tissues to help promote proper bodily functions? Exercise. And guess what researchers found to be the best exercise to help maintain healthy oxygen levels? Cycling!

(I’m so happy I cycle over 60 miles per week at SoulCycle.)

At the end of the day, this exciting research paints one clear picture: Diet and exercise—the cornerstones of my practice—are truly the main lifestyle drivers in our quest for good health!

Until next time,
Dr. Fred

P.S. To learn about more, simple, science-based strategies to fight cancer, check out my online learning tool, my Essential Cancer Protocol. Click here now!

Source:
“Nutrients and Exercise Affect Tumor Development.” Medscape, 05/27/2022. (medscape.com/viewarticle/974751)