Please help me welcome Katrina as she writes her first guest blog post for us today! Katrina Evans is a recent college graduate aspiring to write for health and wellness resources all over the web. She enjoys making a difference in people’s lives seeing how devastating cancer can be for people and their families. Katrina also is a fruit junkie who reads all the time, works to stay fit, and listens to cool podcasts.
Kale for Anti-Cancer Champs
It may not be as well-known as broccoli, collards and other members of its food family, but the green, leafy vegetable known as kale has become recognized as a major promoter of good health and even, to some researchers, a weapon in the fight against cancer.
The secret, nutritionists tell us, is found in phytonutrients. These act as antioxidants with the capability to neutralize the free radical substances in the body, thus protecting cell membranes. Kale’s powerhouse phytonutrient lineup contains glucobrassicin, glucoraphanin, gluconasturtiian, glucopaeolin and sinigrin, all of which are especially powerful for their detoxifying properties that encourage the body to produce enzymes that are particularly potent against disease.
The glucosinolates that kale contains reduce the risks of a number of cancers, including the often-fatal colon cancer. Glucosinolates can also help block cancer cell growth for others like pancreatic cancer, mesothelioma, and kidney cancer. In addition, when kale is chewed, it develops a glucosinolate substance called sulforaphane; this can actually help to eliminate cancer-causing substances from the body. Studies have shown that sulforaphane can also reduce the formation and growth of cancerous tumor cells in animals.
While we have your attention, grab a tip or two from Andrea. Andrea’s trick for Kale Chips says it all-a quick and easy snack that takes no time at all. Kale chips are a delicious way to incorporate this healthy vegetable into your family’s diet and even a neat way to pull a fast one on your kids! Best of all, kale chips can be baked, not fried. A famous 2002 study from the University of Stockholm investigated a chemical called acrylamide or a reaction that is created as a direct result of frying foods. Research has offered some evidence that this chemical may be a factor in causing cancerous tumors. So the method of cooking that you choose, for instance baking your kale chips vs. frying, is all a part of a healthier journey to dodge the cancer bullet.
Studies have proven that eating a healthy diet promotes overall good physical health, which is an added bonus in the fight against cancer. So when devising the perfect nutrition guideline that’s a perfect fit for you and your family, it’s not a bad idea to consult a dietitian or your family doctor. A bit of research can go a long way finding out specifics like is garlic a “super food” to ward of cancer, what is mesothelioma, cardiac disease, or parathyroid cancer, or what are some good practices to promote colon health?
Try this out; Choosemyplate.gov provides a really awesome way to create a daily meal plan that hits all your target food groups from the recommended food pyramid. I just entered some basic info based off my age, height and weight and now know that I need 6 ounces of grains, 2.5 cups of vegetables, 1.5 cups of fruits, 3 cups of dairy products, and 5 ounces of protein foods every day. Easy as 123!
