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A healthy diet is much more than a means to keep your stomach full and flat. Eating the right foods in proper amounts can significantly decrease your risk of chronic diseases such as cancer. While no single method is 100% effective at blocking or eliminating the development of cancerous and precancerous cells, here are seven common foods that help prevent cancer:

Garlic: While it doesn’t do your breath any favors, garlic contains phytochemicals that prevent carcinogens from forming in the stomach and intestines as a result of eating the food preservative nitrate. The Iowa Women’s study investigated the link between garlic and cancer and found that the women who consumed the most garlic were 50% less likely to develop certain colon cancers in comparison to women who ate little to no garlic, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Fatty fish: Don’t be turned away by the level of fat in tuna and salmon. These fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which promote muscle strength; Vitamin B12 to increase red blood cell production; and Vitamin D, which contributes to bone health. Fatty fish also contain fatigue-fighting proteins to help you stay energized and active.

Black raspberries: Of all the berries available at your local market, black raspberries are highly concentrated in anthocyanins--phytonutrients that slow down premalignant cell growth and prevent new blood vessels from forming and feeding a potential tumor.

Walnuts: In addition to keeping your stomach satisfied between meals, walnuts reduce risk of cancer through phytosterols (cholesterol-like molecules) that block the estrogen receptors found in breast cancer cells. They can even slow cancer cell growth.

Black and navy beans: These legumes can significantly reduce your risk of colon and breast cancer by increasing your level of butyrate, a fatty acid that protects against cancer growth.

Broccoli: Among its many nutrients is sulforaphane, a compound that flushes out carcinogens and increases your body’s protective enzymes. Sulforaphane even targets cancer stem cells that can contribute to tumor growth.

Tomatoes: Lycopene, the carotenoid that gives tomatoes their color, has been found to halt endometrial cancer cell growth. Tomatoes are most beneficial against cancer when eaten in a cooked form, such as pasta sauce, because the heating process allows your body to absorb more lycopene.

In addition to maintaining a healthy diet rich in the aforementioned foods, I encourage you to be proactive in notifying me of any adverse health developments. You are welcome to call Sage Nutrition and Healing Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 303.503.5969 to schedule an appointment and learn more about the holistic steps you can take to prevent cancer and live a healthier, more fulfilling life.