Diet Plan for Preventing Melanoma Skin Cancer

The paragraphs below provide 11 great diet and nutrition related tips that can

The paragraphs below provide 11 great diet and nutrition related tips that can help reduce your risk of skin cancer. Important notice: The information below and elsewhere on this website is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical or health advice. Always seek the advice of a professional health care provider.

Step Up Curcumin Intake

Curcumin, a plant pigment that gives turmeric its intense yellow color, has been praised for its medicinal and healing qualities in Asia for centuries. In recent years, curcumin has also stolen the spotlight in the West. Laboratory tests have shown curcumin to be able to induce self destruction of melanoma skin cancer cells. Furthermore, curcumin can act as a potent antioxidant and may prevent nitrosamine formation and inhibit aflatoxin production — two processes which have been associated with an increased risk of cancer.

Avoid Excess Protein

More than hundred years ago John Beard, a Scottish doctor, discovered that the bodys primary defense against proliferating cancer cells is pancreatin, a mix of enzymes that are also aid in the digestion of proteins. Diets rich in protein force pancreatic enzymes to focus on the digestion of protein rather than on the eradication of cancer. A certain amount of protein is necessary for the proper functioning of the body, but excessive amounts of dietary protein should be avoided if you want to reduce your risk of skin cancer. Some nutritionist believe that the body needs a protein free period of approximately 12 hours a day in order to be able to effectively combat cancer.

Eat Carotenoids Foods

A diet rich in carotenoids may help protect the skin against harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Carotenoids are pigments that give fruits and vegetables such as carrots, cantaloupe, tomatoes, sweet potato, kale, spinach, and collard greens their vibrant orange, red, yellow, and green colors. There are more than 600 different carotenoids, but the most common carotenoids in the Western diet include beta carotene, lycopene, lutein and lutein and zeaxanthin. There is evidence that each of the five key carotenoids could increase protection against sun burn, especially when combined with vitamin E. This is believed to result from their ability to neutralize the harmful effects of UV light by scavenging skin damaging free radicals. In one study, a daily intake of five tablespoons of tomato paste rich in lycopene served with olive oil increased the protection against sunburn by 33% estimated to correspond to a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor SPF of 1.3.

Cut Down on Alcohol

A frequent intake of alcohol has been associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer, including malignant melanoma, but the exact mechanisms by which alcohol causes cancer are not known. However, there are several proposed theories. The most commonly accepted theory is that alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde in the body — a chemical that also causes hangovers — and that this chemical induces DNA damage which can lead to skin cancer. In terms of quantity of alcohol consumed, the higher and the more frequent the intake, the higher the risk of cancer. However, even small amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of cancer but possible reduce the risk of heart disease, particularly in older men and women.

Ellagic Acid Food

Ellagic acid may well be among your best weapons in the battle against skin cancer. According to research, ellagic acid is capable of clearing carcinogenic substances by activating certain detoxifying enzymes in the liver. Furthermore, ellagic acid has also been shown to can prevent carcinogens from attaching to cellular DNA. It has also been shown to boost the immune system, to induce normal self destruction of cancerous cells, and destroy skin cancer causing free radicals.