And now, nutrients that fight cancer

To continue with last week’s loaded topic on fats, Dr. Angel Respicio Jr., nutrition adviser at The Sleeplab, Hawaii Medical Center-West, prescribes this formidable list of nutrients to ward off the Big C:

• Vitamin A: Strengthens the immune system. Essential for mineral metabolism and endocrine function, it helps detoxify. True vitamin A is found only in animal foods such as cod liver oil; fish and shellfish; and liver, butter, and egg yolks from pasture-fed animals. Traditional diets contain 10 times more vitamin A than the typical modern American diet.

• Vitamin C: An important antioxidant that prevents damage from free radicals. It is found in many fruits and vegetables but also in certain organ meats prized by primitive people.

• Vitamin B6: Deficiencies are associated with cancer. It contributes to the function of over 100 enzymes and is mostly available from animal foods.

• Vitamin B12: Deficiencies are associated with cancer. Found only in animal foods.

• Vitamin B17: Found in a variety of organically grown grains, legumes, nuts, and berries.

• Vitamin D: Required for mineral absorption, it is strongly protective against breast and colon cancers. Found only in animal foods such as cod liver oil, lard, shellfish and butterfat, organ meats and egg yolks from grass-fed animals.

 • Vitamin E: Works as an antioxidant at the cellular level. Found in unprocessed oils as well as in animal fats like butter and egg yolks.

• Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA): Strongly protective against breast cancer. Found in the butterfat and meat fat of grass-fed ruminant animals.

• Cholesterol: A potent antioxidant that protects against free radicals in cell membranes. Found only in animal foods.

• Minerals: The body needs generous amounts of a wide variety of minerals to protect itself against cancer. Minerals like zinc, magnesium, and selenium are vital components of enzymes that help the body fight carcinogens. Minerals are more easily absorbed from animal foods.

• Lactic acid and friendly bacteria: Contribute to the health of the digestive tract. Found in old-fashioned lacto-fermented foods.

• Saturated fats: Strengthen the immune system. Needed for proper use of the essential fatty acids. The lungs cannot function without saturated fats. Found mostly in animal foods.

• Long-chain fatty acids: Arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) help fight cancer on the cellular level. They are found mostly in animal foods such as butter, organ meats, cod liver oil, and seafood.

• Co-enzyme Q10: Highly protective against cancer, it is found only in animal food. –Ching M. Alano (The Philippine Star)

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