8 Best Supplements To Prevent Cancer

Introduction

This article lists the best supplements to prevent cancer.

As we all are aware, cancer causes abnormal cell growth. This can spread rapidly to any part of the body and results are fatal many times. People who are diagnosed with cancer need to undergo chemotherapy, depending on the stage of cancer they are in. Many times, this treatment is quite draining and painful too.

What if you can prevent the occurrence of cancer in the first place? One cannot say for sure, however, you can reduce the risk of contracting this deadly disease by making a few healthy choices and quitting some unhealthy habits. Experts believe that having a daily dose of supplements may not be very useful in thwarting cancer, however, if you consume a lot of antioxidants along with a healthy diet, the risk of cancer is usually low. But supplements can help you out if you are deficient in any vitamin or mineral

In the section below, let us check out some essential vitamin and mineral supplements that could help you keep cancer at bay.

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8 Best Supplements To Prevent Cancer

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Fish oil has plenty of omega-3 fatty acids. Certain studies indicate that omega-3s are very good for reducing the risks of cancer and heart disease. Hence, many people are advised to consume fish oil regularly to prevent cancer. However, experts are unsure of whether fish oil alone is sufficient to prevent cancer, or whether it needs any other food chemicals. 

Moreover, consuming a high dose of fish oil can cause other issues like stroke. It can also hamper our immune system. Instead of fish oil, you can include fish like salmon and tuna in your diet.

Flaxseed

The lignans present within flaxseeds are believed to have anti-cancer properties. Lignans have properties similar to our estrogen hormone. Flaxseeds also contain omega-3 fatty acids in abundance.

Laboratory research has proved that consuming flaxseeds in the right amounts regularly can delay the spread of colon, lung, breast, and skin cancer. However, more research is needed to prove that this is effective in controlling cancer in humans.

To get the best antioxidant supply from flaxseed, you can grind it and sprinkle it over your cereals or yogurt. Many people consume flaxseed oil, however, it lacks those antioxidant properties and may not be very effective.

Consuming flaxseeds in excess amounts has some risks as well. You could suffer from an upset stomach if you do not drink enough fluids. Flaxseeds could also interfere with other medications like blood thinners and painkillers. Hence it is important to consume it in the right amounts.

Green Tea

Polyphenols, also called plant chemicals, are present in green tea. These act as antioxidants and are also anti-inflammatory agents. Regular green tea drinkers could be at a very low risk of contracting cancers related to the bladder and esophagus. Green tea could even prevent the occurrence of breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer.

Experts believe that green tea could have cancer-killing properties and one can safely consume up to 3 cups per day. However, it is better to not consume green tea extracts or any pills. When consumed in excess, green tea may prevent you from sleeping since it contains caffeine.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that has antioxidant properties apart from being an anti-inflammatory agent.

Laboratory tests have revealed that resveratrol has properties that could prevent cell damage, thereby keeping cancer at bay. They are also known to arrest the spread of cancer cells. However, more research is needed to establish whether resveratrol supplements can actually prevent cancer. Resveratrol can also have some effects on estrogen, hence, women having sensitive hormones should avoid these supplements.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory agent. It is in-housed with curcumin, a great anti-oxidant. Lab studies have revealed that curcumin is a very good agent that can stop the spread of skin cancer. However, whether turmeric can actually slow down or prevent cancer in humans is something that needs more research.

A certain study has also revealed that turmeric could have some reactions during breast cancer chemotherapy. Hence, it is not recommended during such times. Turmeric may also aggravate your gallbladder issues and may prevent blood clotting.

Vitamin D

It was believed that sufficient Vitamin D intake can lower the risk of cancer and can curb its spread. However, more research is needed to analyze the correct dosage of Vitamin D that can aid in cancer prevention.

Getting sufficient Vitamin D exposure is beneficial for your bone health. You can get a good amount of Vitamin D from the early morning sunlight. Many other food sources contain this vitamin. These include oily fish like salmon and tuna, red meat and liver, mushrooms, cheese, and egg yolk. 

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are considered to be very useful for preventing cancer. They have properties that are known to kill free radicals formed within the body, thereby reducing the probability of oxidative stress, which is the main reason for cancer occurrence.

However, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), there are not many clinical trials that suggest that antioxidants can prevent the occurrence of cancer. In fact, certain studies have revealed that antioxidant supplements can worsen the symptoms of cancer, especially in smokers. Hence, it is best to consult your doctor before you start taking any antioxidant supplements.

The best way to supply your body with antioxidants is with a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. You can include sources of Vitamins A, C, and E and beta-carotene in your diet. These are great antioxidants.

Onion, Garlic and Ginger

Apart from the above-mentioned supplements, foods like onion, garlic, and ginger are also considered to be great for preventing cancer. A study conducted in 2015 revealed that consuming onions and garlic regularly can prevent the formation of cancer cells in the digestive tract. However, more research is needed on this aspect to establish how much of these are actually needed to prevent cancer.

Further in 2018, another study showed that garlic extracts were responsible for arresting the growth of cancer cells in certain lab experiments. 

However, there are contradictory results pertaining to garlic extracts preventing the spread of cancer cells. Some studies have stated that garlic extracts could have a reverse effect on chemotherapy drugs.

Likewise, people have been relying on ginger for ages as a solution to their digestive tract issues. It is believed that ginger can also offer relief from symptoms like nausea and vomiting, which mainly arise during chemotherapy.

The best way to consume ginger is to add it to various foods or have it as a concoction.

You can even opt for herbal ginger supplements. However, ginger may have some unwanted effects on blood thinners, hence, people who are on such medications need to consult their physician before having any such medications.

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How can you prevent cancer?

As we all know, cancer is a very dreaded disease. We have suggested some supplements above that can help you prevent cancer occurrence or slow down its growth. However, is there anything apart from supplements that can prevent this disease from coming near you? The following tips could help you.

1. Avoid smoking and tobacco: Cancer cells love tobacco and smoke. Hence, stay away from cigarettes and tobacco. Studies reveal that even second-hand smoke may be harmful. Smoking and tobacco greatly increase the risk of oral, lung, throat, kidney, pancreatic, and bladder cancer. Hence cut out both cigarettes and tobacco from your life.

2. Healthy diet: As we have already stated above, a healthy diet rich in antioxidants can keep cancer at bay.

3. Be physically fit and active: A healthy and active lifestyle can reduce the risk of many cancers like breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and kidney cancer.

4. Avoid exposing yourself to strong sunlight: There are various studies that link the occurrence of skin cancer to UV rays exposure. Hence avoid being in strong sunlight. Even if you step out in sunlight, make sure your skin is completely protected. Make sure you use a good sunscreen lotion.

5. Vaccinations: Vaccinations against Hepatitis B and HPV are good for preventing liver cancer and cervical cancer.

6. Get screened regularly: It is important to undergo cancer screening tests regularly to detect any abnormality in the body cells. Early cancer detection can save you from a lot of pain.

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Conclusion

With this article, we hope you have understood the supplements that may be useful for preventing cancer. There is still a lot of research pending around this aspect and one has to be absolutely sure before recommending any supplements. The facts stated above are based on laboratory tests and clinical trials, however, they could be of some help when it comes to preventing cancer.

It is also important to have any supplements after your doctor has approved them. Taking any supplements on your own could be hazardous and they could do more harm than good. The best way to prevent cancer is to have a healthy diet and lead an active lifestyle. And finally, follow certain good practices that will keep this deadly disease away from you.