As experts continue to investigate the potential causes and cures of serious illnesses, like cancer, more and more are beginning to focus on what many think could be our best defense yet against these conditions– a healthier diet. According to Rachael Stolzenberg-Solomon, PhD, MPH, RD, a researcher at the National Cancer Institute, “The easiest, least-expensive way to reduce your risk for cancer is just by eating a healthy diet.” Now, there are many simple, wholesome foods and ingredients that are thought to have an especially high concentration of various cancer-fighting properties, but it is up to healthcare leaders to make sure that the citizens of their communities are properly educated as to what they are and how they can best be incorporated into their diet. For instance, below are a few especially helpful cancer-fighting foods and ingredients that any healthcare facility can easily incorporate into their meal plans to facilitate better patient health.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and turnip greens, are especially effective in reducing a persons chances of contracting prostate and colon cancers thanks to an antioxidant called sulforaphane, which is released when the vegetables are cut or chewed.
Curcumin
Curcumin is a primary ingredient in curry powder that has been know to affect almost every type of cancer by interfering with cell-signaling pathways and suppressing the ability for cancerous cells to mutate, multiply, and invade other areas of the body.
Folate
According to Stolzenberg-Solomon, “When someone has low levels of folate, it’s more likely for mutation in DNA to occur,” meaning consuming foods that are rich in folate could potentially reduce a persons risk of cancer. Foods that are high in folate include, oranges, spinach and romaine leaves, peas, beans, peanuts, and asparagus.
Tea
Tea is known to contain flavonoids, like kaempferol, which are known for their antioxidant properties and effectiveness against cancer. Studies have shown that consuming as many as just four cups of tea per day can even offer protection against ovarian cancer.
As healthcare trends continue to lean more toward using nutritionally-based solutions to combat common health concerns, like cancer, healthcare providers are forced to adjust their efforts to keep up with patient demands. Offering better meals comprised of cancer-fighting foods, and providing basic nutritional education are great first steps, but to really streamline your operations and increase patient safety and satisfaction, you need to consider updating your dietary office with nutrition software and other applications, like those at Vision Software, that are designed to enhance your success.
Call 629.777.8989 or fill in the free consultation form in the sidebar to learn more about how our software can positively impact the lives of the patients and visitors you service every day.