Diet & Cancer: The CA Care Diet

The American Institute for Cancer Research has estimated that between 30% to 40% of cancers could be prevented using dietary strategies. The same findings were issued by a panel of experts in 1999 at the World Cancer Research Fund.

Although this knowledge had been recognized for more than 6 years, this important health information has not been actively addressed by our Health Ministry in Malaysia. Medical doctors and hospitals seem to know nothing or little about the effects of food on cancer care or prevention.

It makes a lot of common sense for a person to eat as healthy a diet as possible when he or she has a chronic disease like cancer. Nowadays, many people (in developed countries) consume unhealthy diets - too high in fats (and often the worst types of fats), and too low in fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, this trend is also seen in many developing countries like Malaysia, in their quest to emulate the developed countries. Malaysia boleh !!

At our CA Care centres in Malaysia, we dedicate much of our time teaching patients and care givers about diet and nutrition. At the same time, we realize the limits and constraints of clinical research that is being done on food and nutrition. However, patients who incorporate dietary changes as recommended, in general fared very well. At the same time, they feel empowered knowing that they are active participants in their own health.

After more than a decade of experience with cancer patients, we can confidently say that nutrition and diet play a major role in the care and healing of cancer patients. Diet is important and can determine the progress and direction of the healing process.

CA Care advocates the following diet:

• Plenty of fresh vegetables (especially the cruciferous), either raw or cooked.

• Lots of fresh juices and fruits.

• Whole grains, cereals, seeds and nuts in as unprocessed a form as possible.

• Avoid meat and dairy products.

• Avoid refined table salt, white sugar and cooking oil with trans-fat.

• Avoid all preserved, canned or processed food.

In spite our emphasis on good nutrition and diet at CA Care, we believe that diet itself cannot heal cancer as much as drugs alone cannot cure it. There are other aspects besides the physical body that need to be addressed. The body, mind and soul are equally important in the healing of cancer.

Click link on Healthy Recipes for recipes and cooking tips.

** If you have any recipes that you may want to share, please post under comments by clicking on link below OR write to us at CancerCareBlog@gmail.com