Inspiring Subject Matters 54, the link between cancer and 10 popular ultra-processed foods.
Michael D. Powers, Ph.D., USCCI
US Certified Court Interpreter 1980 / Ph.D. Spanish Portuguese 1981 / 24 years university professor / Estimates: 12,000+ depositions, hearings, etc. / 850 trials / 3000 documents / Conference Interpreter 650 conferences
Inspiring Subject Matters 54, the link between cancer and 10 popular ultra-processed foods.
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We have all heard that one is what one eats. Food selection often is paramount for good or bad health. The following article, first published in fortune.com, is a curious list of foods to either eat or avoid based on the health consequences.
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′Study confirms link between cancer and at least 10 popular ultra-processed foods
Story by?Ani Freedman
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Science has already linked?ultra-processed foods?to heart disease,?inflammation, diabetes, and cancer. But new research out of the University of South Florida? and Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Cancer Institute has confirmed the cancer link in a powerful way—by finding evidence of inflammation in the colon cancer tumors themselves.
“It is well known that patients with unhealthy diets have increased inflammation in their bodies,” said?Dr. Timothy Yeatman, an author of the study and associate center director at the?TGH Cancer Institute, said in the?press release.? “We now see this inflammation in the colon tumors themselves, and cancer is like a chronic wound that won’t heal.”
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New research reveals the role that sausage, breads, and even ice cream play in cancer growth.??Getty Images
Researchers specifically focused on colorectal cancer, the?second leading cause?of cancer-related deaths overall in the US, according to the American Cancer Society.
They looked at 162 tumor samples from patients at Tampa General Hospital, where they observed an excess number of molecules that promote inflammation—and a shortage of those that reduce inflammation and promote healing.
The USF Health Heart Institute also found in?previous studies?how an ultra-processed-heavy diet not only increases risk and growth of colorectal cancer, but also plays a role in other diseases, including Alzheimer’s, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions.
“A human’s immune system can be extremely powerful and drastically impact the tumor microenvironment, which is great if harnessed correctly for health and wellness,” Yeatman said in the press release. “But not if it’s suppressed by inflammatory lipids from processed foods.”
What can you do about your cancer risk?
Since the study found an excess of the inflammatory molecules that would come from ultra-processed foods in cancer tumors, a shift in diet is the first step to giving your body the tools to fight cancer growth—namely, a shift towards omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids?are essential polyunsaturated fats that help your body function properly. They’re particularly concentrated in high levels in your eyes and brain, according to the?Cleveland Clinic, and provide vital support for your cardiovascular and endocrine systems.
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You can’t naturally produce the amount of omega-3s you need to survive, which is why you have to consume foods rich in them. Some examples are:
While omega-3s are important for numerous reasons—including lowering your triglyceride levels, blood pressure, risk of?heart disease?and?stroke, while raising your good?cholesterol?(HDL) levels—they are particularly powerful in reducing inflammation and cancer risk.
“Our bodies are designed to actively resolve inflammation through bioactive lipid compounds derived from the healthy fats, like avocados, that we consume,”?Ganesh Halade, coauthor of the study, associate professor in the?USF Health Heart Institute, and a member of the Cancer Biology Program at TGH Cancer Institute, said in the press release.
“Bioactive lipids are very small molecules derived from the foods that we eat and, if the molecules are coming from processed food products, they directly imbalance the immune system and drive chronic inflammation,” Halade said.
If your diet is higher in saturated fats and ultra-processed foods, though, then you have fewer of those good molecules found in polyunsaturated fats that combat inflammation.
The best foods to fight cancer—and foods to stay away from
With these findings that support previous research, medical professionals are increasingly looking to see how diet can treat cancer, or prevent it.
“This has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment, moving beyond drugs to harness natural healing processes,” Yeatman said. “It’s a vital step toward addressing chronic inflammation and preventing diseases before they start.”
A diet filled with ultra-processed foods is a key factor not just in cancer risk, but growth of cancer cells after diagnosis. Here are some examples of foods you should include in your diet, and ones to steer clear of.
Healthy foods to include, as part of an unprocessed diet:
Ultra-processed foods to stay away from:?
This story was originally featured on?Fortune.com”
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