Prevention is better than cure they say and while medical technology and research have made major breakthroughs in the last two decades it is still wise to take responsibility for our own health and well-being. Cancer is now the second biggest killer of the adult American population and the statistics in South Africa are not much better…

Cancer and Diet

The link between cancer and improper diet was first highlighted in 1977 in the Senate Select Committee’s Dietary Goals for the United States, in 1982 the National Academy of Sciences released an important report called Diet, Nutrition and Cancer and in 1988 the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Published a major manuscript by C.Everett Koop, M.D which also discussed the relationships between nutrition and common degenerative diseases, including cancer. How do we follow a diet to promote health and well-being? The first step is to identify the most common possible carcinogens and try to minimise our regular intake of these substances.

Common possible carcinogens include:

Additives: food colours, flavours, nitrites and nitrates.
Hormones: mainly found in meats.
Coffee: some de-caffeinated coffee may be treated with carcinogens such as trichloroethylene or methyl chloride.
Saccharin: implicated in bladder cancer.
Pesticides: sprayed on foods before and after harvesting.
Pickled or salt-cured foods: could influence digestive and stomach lining.
Potatoes: when bruised or green
Aflatoxin: may cause liver cancer and is produced by moulds on peanuts and other legumes.
Sugar: may weaken immunity.
Nitrates and nitrites: common in smoked and preserved meats.
Mushrooms: may contain toxic hydrazines.
Excess fats: saturated and animal fats (found in meats and dairy products), fried or rancid oils, hydrogenated and refined oils as well as cooked polyunsaturated fatty acids. Obesity is also cited as one of the factors correlated with higher cancer rates thus moderation is key in any diet plan.

Nutrient deficiencies

Certain nutrient deficiencies have been implicated in some cancers. Vitamin A and beta-carotene deficiency has been linked to an increase in the incidence of lung and mouth cancer as well as skin, throat, prostate, bladder, cervix, colon, esophagus and stomach cancers. Selenium deficiency may increase the risk of breast, lung, colon, skin, rectum, prostate, pancreas and intestinal cancers as well as leukaemia. Vitamin E deficiency increases cancer risk because a deficiency in this vitamin decreases the body’s ability to balance free radicals and rancid oils. Vitamin C may help to reduce the carcinogenicity of nitrosamines and other chemicals. Zinc, molybdenum, iodine and iron deficiencies have also been implicated in certain cancers.

A Cancer Prevention Diet

A Cancer Prevention Diet is easily incorporated into any busy lifestyle, all that is required are a few small changes. These are as follows:
1 – Lower your saturated fat intake
2 – Increase dietary fibre
3 – Increase fresh fruits, vegetables (especially cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage) and whole grains.
4- Avoid smoked, pickled, salted and barbecued foods.
5- Lower alcohol intake.
6- Increase plant proteins such as legumes and soya, nuts and seeds.

With attention to our own health and well-being and a respect for our bodies, we can go a long way to optimising our chances of a healthy life far into a care-free and disease-free old age.

The role of Nutrition in Healthy Sexual Function.

Sexual Vitality:

Sexual Vitality or sex drive can be influenced by a variety of factors in our daily life. Stress, anxiety, poor body-image, excess weight, boredom, hormonal imbalance and even various environmental factors are but a few which can have a detrimental effect on our desire for sex. Nutrition can play a large role in eliminating some of these factors and that is what we will be looking at here.

Aphrodisiac foods:

Who does not know the story of oysters and champagne? This could be largely due to oysters’ high zinc content, an important nutrient for supporting male prostate function. In fact many sea-foods such as shellfish, fish and mineral rich seaweeds can enhance vitality and so influence sexual well-being. Fresh fruits and vegetables, think luscious strawberries and juicy mangoes as well as crisp celery, contain nutrients which support sexual function.
Unfortunately milk products such as ice-cream or cheeses could have a sedative effect on sexual energy so it is probably best to keep these to a minimum and may explain why many people find ice-cream soothing when emotionally upset.

Herbs and Sexual function:

There are various herbs which are said to boost sexual vitality, especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Examples of these are as follows:
Dong Quai – a ‘female’ herb that is an anti-spasmodic for cramps, a hormonal tonic and a blood purifier.
Ginseng root – supports general vitality and can be a help for both men and women if fatigue is the cause of sexual disinterest.
Fo-ti-tien – used for males as a kidney tonic and diuretic and to help enhance fertility.
Other herbs and spices which have a warming and stimulating effect on the body, so simulating the effects of sexual arousal include: cayenne pepper, chilli peppers, cumin, curry, garlic and ginger.

Key nutrients for Sexual Vitality:

Vitamin A – essential for formation of sperm and sex hormones, can be found in broccoli, papaya, eggs, pumpkins, carrots, apricots, tomatoes and dandelion greens.
Vitamin C – anti-oxidant which helps protect sperm from free-radicals and can be found in chilli peppers, tomatoes, citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli and spinach.
Vitamin E – helps with the formation of sex hormones and sperm and can be found in asparagus, peas, spinach, nuts, eggs and grains.
Vitamin B6 – decreases the risk of erectile dysfunction and helps to combat symptoms of PMS, it can be found in oats, beans, wheat germ, yeast and bananas.
Vitamin B12 – deficiency can contribute to impotence and infertility, it can be found in meat, shellfish, fish and eggs.
Calcium – helps reduce PMS symptoms and builds strong bones, it is found in sardines, brazil nuts, tofu, almonds and seaweed.
Folate – important in development of sperm, helps to prevent birth defects, facilitates the production of dopamine and can be found in beans, dark green leafy vegetables and in grains.
L-arginine – important in facilitating erections and vaginal lubrication, it can be found in meat, seeds, grains and nuts.
Magnesium – helps with preventing cramps and other PMS symptoms. A relaxing nutrient, found in apples, avocadoes, apricots, fish, tofu, nuts and wholegrains.
Niacin – could enhance sexual flush and tactile sensation and is found in dates, asparagus, beans, avocadoes, peanuts, fish, lean meats, peas and broccoli.
Pantothenic acid – may improve endurance and plays a role in the formation of sex hormones, it can be found in beans, broccoli, molasses, poultry, nuts, eggs and beef.
Selenium – deficiency of this important nutrient has been linked to miscarriage in pregnant women and to infetility in both sexes, it can be found in brown rice, garlic, eggs, meat and Brazil nuts.
Thiamin – boosts energy and can be found in beans, seeds and wholegrains.
Zinc – helps prevent PMS symptoms, deficiency can lead to miscarriage in pregnant women, zinc is also important to sperm and testosterone production and can be found in meat, fish, shellfish, eggs, pumpkin seeds, garlic, spinach and wholegrains.

Maintaining a healthy weight, good cardiovascular health and strong circulation through regular exercise and a healthy diet will go a long way to increasing sexual vitality. Balanced hormones are also an advantage of healthy diet and regular physical activity. Being open and honest with your partner and taking care of ones sexual responsibility also helps to prepare the floor for a long and healthy, mutually fulfilling sexual relationship, which in turn may contribute to a longer and happier life.