In fact, according to a 1994 International Journal of Cancer study, women with fiber intakes of at least 28 grams daily had less than half the breast cancer risk of women with low fiber intakes. A high fiber vegetarian diet appears to decrease breast cancer risk by binding with estrogen. For women in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, which has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in the country, natural means of preventing this disease take on a whole new significance. 

According to Neil Barnard, M.D., populations consuming a plant-based diet not only have lower rates of prostate cancer, but also have a far lower rate of progression once cancer gains a foothold. Additionally, vegetarians eating a fiber-rich diet have lower rates of colon cancer than people consuming a low fiber, meat-centered diet. Colon cancer has been directly linked to meat consumption in numerous studies. Further, foods rich in saturated fats appear to increase cancer risk in organs related to digestion, like the colon and rectum. 

Clearly, the best “cure” for cancer is simply to prevent it altogether, especially since, as the National Cancer Institute estimates, as much as 80% of cancer cases are indeed preventable. A varied, plant-centered diet is key, not only for long term cancer prevention, but for greater vitality, energy and well-being today.

This entry was posted by Kiki Powers, MS, CNC on March 17th, 2008 under Health and Wellness with keywords .