Eat Your Sunscreen! – 10 Superfoods to Lower Skin Cancer Risk
Amidst the spring shower of sunscreen advertisements, we forget there are many ways to lower our risk of developing skin cancer. What we eat can have an impact on whether we will ever have to hear those words, “you have skin cancer!”
It has been shown that those who consume more fruits and vegetables have only half the incidence of skin cancer, whereas those who consume meals high in meat and fat have twice the risk. A few “superfoods” have been shown to pack an extra punch, and make a great addition to a picnic on the beach.
Superfoods for Skin Cancer Prevention:
1. Artichokes – Artichokes are high in silymarin, an antioxidant that has been shown to slow the growth of melanoma cells in mice.
2. Green tea – Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a component of green tea, has been shown to protect the skin of rodents from UV damage. A great treat chilled on the beach!
3. Fish – Omega-3-fatty acids in fish appear to offer protection against non-melanoma skin cancer.
4. Grapes – Proanthocyanidins, present in grapes seeds, have been shown to prevent photocarcinogenesis (cancer caused by sun exposure.)
5. Broccoli sprouts – Sulforaphane, which is high in broccoli and especially broccoli sprouts, was shown to substantially inhibit UV induced skin cancer in mice.
6. Berries – Berries are high in ellagic acid, which appears to have anti-tumor properties in rat skin.
7. Pomegranate juice – An juice extract of pomegranates was shown to protect against UV damage on a molecular level.
8. Carrots – Foods high in beta-carotene appear to have a protective role against skin cancer.
9. Spinach – Spinach is high in lutein/zeaxanthin, which has been shown to reduce UV induced skin cancer in mice when consumed dietarily.
10. Pineapple – Pineapple contains bromelain, a compound shown to decrease cancer in animals.
Practicing common sense, such as using hats and avoiding midday sun exposure are paramount. After all, melanoma, responsible for 75% of skin cancer deaths, had an incidence of only 1 in 1500 people in 1935 when common sense was not exchanged for the blissful feeling that a chemical could protect us from all harm. This incidence of melanoma is now 1 in 84.For further information on cancer prevention, visit Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time.
These foods are healing foods, and they do in fact reverse serious disease. I’ve often said that if broccoli could be sold as a precription drug, it would be headline news. That’s because it offers a vast array of cancer-fighting compounds, including antiangiogenesis phytochemicals that help “starve” tumors so they die, all without harming healthy cells.
[...] Check out this article on foods that help protect your skin. [...]