Science has told us for years that the food we put into our bodies is related to cancer risk, that a diet rich in plant foods and healthy fats would help prevent it. But we’ve never know the precise mechanisms involved. Finally, it looks like science has found a missing link that answers that question.
The link that researchers discovered revolves around methylglyoxal (pronounced methel-gly-oxel), a compound produced in the body. The latest findings show that methylglyoxal can inactivate our cancer-preventing genes. The study stated that, “Diets comprised of unhealthy processed foods, red meats, added sugars, and refined grains, like the typical Western diet, can lead to an increase in methylglyoxal…posing a risk for various diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and an elevated risk of cancer.” Methylglyoxal inactivates our cancer-preventing genes by producing a group of glycotoxins. According to the research, “These [substances] can accumulate in the body and contribute to various health conditions, including diabetes and obesity. Glycotoxins have also been linked to increased oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are critical factors in cancer development.” Oxidative stress is an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body that leads to cell damage. It plays a role in many conditions, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease and heart disease. Toxins can cause oxidative stress, while foods rich in antioxidants can help reduce it. In addition, the researchers stated that “the best way to reduce methylglyoxal production and maintain a healthy microbiome and overall health is to eat a balanced, plant based diet that is rich in dietary fiber and bioactive compounds, with a focus on whole and minimally processed foods.” Click to view the article
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Dr. Taketa-Wong said, “What I’d like viewers to take away from this video is that – when it comes to cancer – prevention should be our single focus. Cancer treatment, even when it works, can be painful, exhausting, and expensive. Medical research and scientific studies have clearly shown that there are many effective ways to reduce our risk.”
Here’s what’s important to take in: Currently, 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes. That’s 132 million individuals – moms, dads, siblings, children, relatives. Each year, close to 2 MILLION people are diagnosed with cancer and over 600,000 die from it. In fact, most of us know someone, perhaps in our own family, who has had cancer. So reducing risk is important not just to for as individuals, but for our entire ohana. Exercise is a “wonder drug” for reducing the risk for 13 different types of cancer. These include breast, prostate, colon, lung, uterine cancer and more. Also, if people have cancer, exercise assists in recovery and increases the likelihood of survival. It very likely makes anticancer treatments more effective and can also improve sleep, which is one of the most important factors in cancer prevention. That’s when our body does its repair work. The doctor’s video includes specifics about the cancers mentioned above and more. For example, with breast cancer, certain birth control pills and hormone replacement therapies can increase the risk. In addition a woman’s risk increases with the more alcohol she drinks. Knowledge can be powerful. This video can help people incorporate cancer prevention into their everyday lives. |
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