Eating the

right foods is not your only chemoprevention method. Incorporating an

exercise regime into your daily life is a great way to help decrease your

risk for cancer. Varying your exercise routine may help also.

Try incorporating

yoga and strength training into your workout. This will help relieve stress

and will limit the amount of strain on your body. You can do too much

of a good thing.

The next step

is to stop smoking and to limit the intake of alcohol to one to two drinks

per day. Watch the way you prepare your foods. Meats prepared at high

temperatures may create carcinogens that may be harmful to the body. Try

not to charbroil and prepare your meals low in animal fat and higher in

plant fat (olive oil, soy, and nuts).

Eating right

and living a well-balanced life may help not only to decrease the risk

of cancer, but other life threatening diseases as well. Common fruits,

such as bananas and oranges, are known for their potassium benefits in

lowering blood pressure. Other less common fruits, like pomegranates,

are highly recommended, also.

Not only are

fruits and vegetables naturally high in fiber, so are legumes, whole wheat/high

grain breads, oatmeal, and many other foods. It is recommended an intake

of 25 grams of fiber per day. Most Americans barely reach 10 grams in

a day. Whether the fiber is soluble or insoluble, it has its perks. Try

to find products that contain 3 grams or more of dietary fiber per serving,

to help decrease cholesterol and a risk for certain cancers.

Keep in mind

the other dietary changes so widely told are still a must. Saturated fat

should be reduced while monounsaturated fat utilized (olive and peanut

oil). Polyunsaturated fats in the form of omega-3 fatty acids (found in

fish, walnuts, flaxseed, and omega-3 enriched eggs) are also beneficial.

When choosing red meat, one should select wild game or grass-fed beef.

This meat is commonly leaner and contains a higher level of omega-3 fatty

acids.

Take a moment

of your time and review your current diet. Can you improve your intake

of omega-3 fatty acids or flavonoids? What extra steps could you be taking

in your day to improve your health overall?

If you would like to learn more about cancer and nutrition

or about other services we provide at the Georgia Cancer Treatment Center,

check us out on the Web at www.georgiacancercenter.com .

Claudia D. Lawson, R.D., L.D.

Director of Nutrition and Wellness Program

Georgia Cancer Treatment Center

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