Half the people living in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer.<\/p>\n
With odds like that, it\u2019s important to know what you can do to reduce your cancer risk<\/a> and some key first steps to take if you get diagnosed.<\/p>\n \u201cAll the cells in our body need good nutrition. It is important to follow a healthy eating pattern that includes foods with the nutrients that can help us stay healthy and fight disease,\u201d said Katrina Sommer, advanced practice dietitian with OSF HealthCare.<\/p>\n You can significantly reduce your cancer<\/a> risk with three decisions: Don\u2019t smoke, stay physically active and practice good nutrition, including foods that prevent cancer.<\/p>\n Obesity is a considerable risk factor for cancer, so maintaining a healthy weight is essential to staying healthy. If you\u2019re unsure what a healthy weight is, use this calculator to learn your body mass index<\/a> (BMI). If you are concerned about your BMI or want help managing your weight, you can talk with your primary care provider<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cExcess body weight can increase your risk for several health conditions, including 13 types of cancer. Even losing a small amount of the excess weight can help reduce your risk of developing cancer,\u201d Katrina said.<\/p>\n Eating and drinking natural is like using super foods to fuel our physical activity. These super foods are cancer preventative foods and help us stay heart healthy, prevent chronic conditions and fortify against other diseases.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat you eat and drink matters. You need a certain amount of energy, vitamins, minerals and hydration each day just for normal function,\u201d Katrina said. \u201cWhen your body does not get the proper nutrients, it is not fully armed to help protect and heal from disease. Eat a balanced diet with plenty of plant foods, fiber and adequate protein to help promote good health.<\/p>\n The heavy lifting to keep us healthy is done by phytochemicals, antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids.<\/p>\n \u201cPhytochemicals are found in plants and help prevent cancer-causing agents from forming,\u201d Katrina said. \u201cAntioxidants, which help maintain your DNA and keep cancer cells in check, are abundant in citrus fruits, like oranges and grapefruits, and vegetables. Omega-3 fatty acids \u2013 common in seafood, beans and nuts \u2013 also help reduce tumor growth.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile you can take vitamins and other supplements, eating natural, whole foods filled with vitamins and minerals will give you the best health benefit.\u201d<\/p>\nObesity and overall health<\/h2>\n
Focus on natural food and drink<\/h2>\n