Cancer can affect anyone, and it often catches people by surprise. But you can reduce your risk of developing cancer if you take steps to safeguard your body’s health and reduce your exposure to cancer-causing agents. These four proven ways to cancer-proof your body will help ensure that you’re as healthy as possible.
How do you get proof of cancer?
1) Get Your Vitamin D Levels Checked
Vitamin D has been shown to reduce your risk of developing a number of types of cancer. The easiest way to ensure you have enough vitamin D is through consistent, safe sun exposure. If that’s not possible, supplements are available. A blood test can determine whether or not you need more vitamin D in your diet. If you do, work with your doctor or nutritionist to figure out how much vitamin D will help reduce your risk of cancer without leading to other side effects.
There are a number of foods that contain vitamin D. These include fatty fish, fortified milk and yogurt, mushrooms, eggs, cheese, orange juice and broccoli. While these sources can help you increase your vitamin D intake naturally and easily, supplements are also available if you’re not getting enough from your diet alone.
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2) Keep Toxins out of your Home
When it comes to reducing your risk of cancer, there are two basic options. You can avoid toxins by not exposing yourself and/or your family members to them. Or you can consume antioxidants that protect your body from exposure. One key place many toxins enter your home is through personal care products like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion and toothpaste; another is pesticides used in agriculture.
It’s easy to assume that by choosing natural products over regular ones you can keep your home toxin free. Unfortunately, it isn’t that simple. While using more natural personal care products and eating organic foods is a step in the right direction, most cosmetic and pesticide brands still contain dangerous ingredients. Even some all-natural personal care items can have high levels of toxic chemicals.
3) Make Sure you Get Enough Zinc and Selenium
Zinc and selenium are two minerals found in a wide variety of foods. These nutrients have been shown to help ward off cancer. Include nutrient-rich foods like beef, chicken, fish, whole grains, dairy products and enriched breads in your diet regularly. You should also take zinc supplements if you don’t eat enough animal protein or whole grains on a regular basis. Selenium is found in seafood as well as meats, whole grains and nuts.
Recommendations for daily zinc intake vary, but adults generally need between 8 and 13 milligrams per day. Recommended daily intakes of selenium are 55 micrograms (mcg) for adult men and women. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may need slightly more. If you don’t eat these foods regularly, take supplements instead. Never take more than 100 percent of your recommended daily allowance (RDA) in supplements, as that could be harmful.
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4) Stop Smoking, Cut Back on Alcohol, avoid tanning Beds, and Do Not Use Hairspray or Hair Dyes
- Smoking the American Cancer Society reported that smoking is directly responsible for about 30% of all cancer deaths in men and about 15% in women. When we smoke, tobacco carcinogens enter our bodies and increase our chances of developing oral cavity, esophageal, stomach, lung, bladder and kidney cancers.
- Alcohol Drinking alcohol excessively increases a person’s risk for cancers of the mouth, throat, liver and colon.
- Tanning Beds Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds can cause melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These three types of skin cancer are highly preventable if you don’t use tanning beds at all or limit your use to an occasional visit with a doctor’s recommendation.
- Hair Dyes There is no conclusive evidence that hair dyes cause cancer, but research suggests they may be associated with an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Best food items to prevent Cancer
Garlic and onions are rich in organosulfur compounds, which have proven anti-cancer properties. Garlic also contains Allicin, a compound that fights cancer cells, and prevents tumors from growing. Onions also contain phenolic compounds which inhibit DNA damage caused by free radicals and stop them from accumulating into mutated cells. Other top cancer-fighting foods include berries and citrus fruits (blueberries, raspberries), kale, spinach and broccoli.
What you eat and drink has a profound effect on your risk of developing cancer. Not all food items are created equal, and some contain key ingredients that can increase or decrease your risk. For example, if you want to prevent cancer, consume more leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower.
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