Different foods can have positive effects on our body and mind. There are foods that may help fight lung cancer and other types of cancers. However, patients who are already affected by lung cancer should be more careful with their dietary habits and food choices.
Some vitamins and minerals may be beneficial for the body during the course of treatment – chemotherapy, medication, and radiation. Studies show that there are potential cancer-fighting fruits, vegetables, and food items that could make a significant difference in the health of a person.
Let us now look at those specific foods that inhibit the growth of cancer cells or stop them from becoming metastatic.
Foods that may help fight lung cancer
Is there anything as a lung cancer diet? Technically, there isn’t anything such. However, some foods may help fight lung cancer or even prevent the disease. It is debatable.
There’s no reason to fret. Multiple studies are still looking into the effect of diet on cancer cells already present in the body. The lists of foods given below discuss the nutritional value and their effects on lung cancer. If you are already affected by lung cancer and are going through chemotherapy and radiation therapy, this information might prove to be helpful.
Green tea: Green tea is believed to be very effective in fighting lung cancer. Not only does it play a preventive role but it may also benefit people living with this disease. Green tea contains caffeine in very less quantity. So, if you have caffeine sensitivity, you have to look for a caffeine-free option.
Pears: A recent study showed that fruits like apples and pears induced apoptosis which is programmed cell death in cancer cells. These fruits contain phloretin, a phytochemical, which may be used as an adjunct for the treatment of non-small lung cancer cells. Phloretin also enhanced the effect of anti-cancer cisplatin – a chemotherapy medicine used for lung cancer patients. Besides this, phloretin may also reduce lung fibrosis associated with radiation.
Ginger: Ginger is a great aid to side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea. It may even play a bigger role for people living with the disease. Ginger contains 6-shogaol, a compound that may prevent lung cancer development and lowers the risk of metastases in patients living with lung cancer. Dietary ginger evidently reduces the risk of metastases and has immense health benefits. You can either add ginger to your diet, drink ginger tea, or have crystallized ginger.
Salmon: Salmon is an excellent source of vitamin D. A diet rich in vitamin D is essential for patients with lung cancer. Fatty fishes like salmon, herring, and mackerel are loaded with health benefits. Of all the vitamins and minerals, vitamin D is the most difficult one to find in its dietary form.
Turmeric: Turmeric is an essential ingredient mostly used in Asian food. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which lends a yellow color. Research shows that curcumin inhibits invasive traits of lung cancer cells. It also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, as well as immune-stimulatory properties besides causing apoptosis or cell death in cancer cells.
In addition, foods that may help fight lung cancer include carrots, berries, capers, red grape juice, oysters, flaxseeds, and watercress to name a few.
