A healthy diet tops the list for colon cancer prevention. Find out what to eat and what to avoid to reduce your risk of developing colon cancer.
1. SIP COFFEE
People who drink four or more cups of antioxidant-rich coffee a day, regular or decaf, have a lower risk of colon cancer than coffee abstainers.
2. GET MORE D.
People with the highest levels of vitamin D circulating in their bloodstreams are less likely to get colon cancer than those with the lowest levels. Vitamin D guards against colon polyps, which is the precursor to cancer. Try to aim for 1,000 IU of D each day.
3. SLIM DOWN.
Obese women are shown to have a higher risk of getting colon cancer. Dropping 20 pounds lowers your risk, and keeping it off decreases your risk to normal levels.
4. TAKE A MULTIVITAMIN.
Try taking 400 mcg. a day of folic acid, which is the amount in most multivitamins.
5. FLAVOR WITH TURMERIC.
Curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric, destroys colon cancer cells within 24 hours. Try for 1/8 tsp. of turmeric daily.
6. GET TESTED!
Getting a colonoscopy to find and remove precancerous polyps decreases your colon cancer risk. You should schedule one soon if you’re over age 50 or have a family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.
7. ENJOY MORE BERRIES.
Enjoying two servings of fruit each day lowers your risk of getting precancerous intestinal polyps. While all fruit is full of things that nourish and repair damaged intestinal cells, fresh and frozen berries have an advantage. They are so full of nutrients that block troublemaking irritation in your digestive tract. Just including 1/2 cup of them can lower your risk.
8. TAKE SUPPLEMENTS.
Taking 2,000 IU of vitamin D-3 daily helps keep intestinal cells functioning properly, cutting your colon-cancer risk.
9. TOSS A SALAD.
Eating 1 cup of romaine lettuce and 1/8 cup of onions each day can cut your colon cancer risk. Romaine contains proven cancer fighters-4.100 IU of vitamin A, plus 1,000 mcg. of lutein and zeaxanthin per cup. Onions are full of sulfur, a compound that increases your immune system’s ability to destroy abnormal colon cells before they turn cancerous.
10. SNACK ON NUTS.
Nuts are rich in beta-sitosterol, a compound that stops the growth of abnormal colon cells. 1/4 cup daily does the trick. If your risk is a little higher than normal due to polyps or family history, a trio of nutrients in nuts-omega-3 fats, manganese, and magnesium is shown to switch off the genes that encourage abnormal cells to grow.
11. TAKE A WALK.
Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each day-leisurely strolls count!-cuts your risk of intestinal cancers. Exercise helps keep you regular, and that gets rid of toxins from your digestive tract before they can cause harm.
12. EAT CORN.
It’s full of inositol hexaphosphate, a nutrient that a breakthrough study shows can lower your risk of colon cancer. IP6 encourages intestinal cells to grow and divide in a normal way.