Surprisingly, 60 to 70 per cent of all cases of cancer are directly related to our eating habits and life style; but the most surprising point is that we could dramatically reduce the risk of cancer by following steps that are far from being dramatic. All we need is to modify our diet and lifestyle habits.
We introduce simple and practical guidelines that will help you make decisions to significantly reduce cancer risk. Likewise, the risk of getting a wide range of chronic diseases such as cardiac diseases, stroke, hypertension, and diabetes will be reduced, and your general health will improve.
These guidelines are taken from an important report: “Food, Nutrition, and the Prevention of Cancer: a global perspective,” published in 1997 by the American Institute for Cancer Research. This report is based on over 4500 studies on diet and cancer prevention. It is the most complete report ever made on diet, nutrition and cancer. The recommendations made in this report may be summarized in six practical guidelines. The following simple tips are the best advice that science currently offers in order to lower the risk of developing cancer.
• Choose a diet rich in a variety of plant-based foods.
• Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits.
• Keep a normal weight according to your height and be physically active.
• If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation.
• Select low in fat and salt.
• Cook and store food safely.
• Do not use tobacco in any form.
A healthy living offers many benefits. It is not by chance that these guidelines agree with the advice given by other health authorities such as the American Heart Association, the Surgeon General of the United States, the American Medical Association, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans made by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Social Services.
(Adapted from “Reducing your Cancer Risk” by AICR)
