Nutrition
Protect Us from Cancer!
Sema GÜLEZ
Women, amidst the hustle and bustle of life; the never-ending chores of the house, the worries of children, problems, and responsibilities, how much time can they really dedicate to themselves? The leisurely lives of the past, the unspoiled nature, the pace of life that allowed for much higher levels of patience and endurance; these are now far behind us. Cancer is said to be “a result of the mind, body, and spirit.” It is said that we can cope with illnesses with a positive and forgiving state of mind, free from anger (!).
Our concerns as women—such as reading, self-improvement, and having a voice and rights—are increasing. Beyond being able to discern what is a priority for each segment of our society, perhaps if we all consider what we can do to live a healthy life, we can agree on some things we can achieve.
The time, effort, and money we will spend after illness strikes… Considering the shocks and traumas we’ve experienced beforehand, it might be beneficial to pay a little attention, reflect on our lifestyle and diet, and perhaps revise our mental patterns. Treatments, while destroying cancerous cells, can also damage our organs and cause toxic effects, thus straining our immune system.
While research continues into the relationship between all cancer diseases and our diet and habits, let’s heed the recommendations of complementary medicine regarding breast cancer. Cancer is a disease linked to multiple nutritional deficiencies, and we can protect ourselves as long as our immune system is strong. Genetic and environmental factors, diet, and lifestyle can, to some extent, mitigate it.
Undoubtedly, there are foods that even a healthy person should avoid, at least as a preventative measure. Smoking is a triggering poison, especially in breast and lung cancer. We hope everyone can quit. Weight is also considered quite problematic by doctors in many diseases, including reflux, hypertension, heart disease, and more. Being overweight is particularly undesirable in breast cancer. On the other hand, excessive weight loss and unbalanced nutrition are also not recommended.
Alcoholic beverages are not well-tolerated by women. White flour, white sugar, canned goods, salami, sausage, margarine, ready-made fruit juices, soft drinks, and seasonal produce; bottom-dwelling fish such as red mullet, mullet, and whiting are also among those to be avoided. Soy and soy products, as well as flaxseed, should be completely avoided by those with breast cancer, as they contain estrogen, and those taking anti-hormone medications should also avoid foods containing hormones.
Milk is not recommended for consumption in large quantities because it causes mucus production in the digestive system; meat is not recommended because it contains acid, parasites, and antibiotics, and is difficult to digest and rots in the intestines. Grilling over charcoal is another risk factor. There should be a 15cm distance between the meat and the flame. Burnt, moldy foods, smoked foods, processed foods with added chemicals and salt also contain carcinogens. Moldy foods should never be consumed. Foods stored in humid environments and for extended periods are also considered harmful. Plastic containers shouldn’t be put in the microwave, and water bottles shouldn’t be in the freezer.
Sugar also feeds cancerous cells. Artificial sweeteners, especially those containing aspartame, and tea bags should also be included in our warnings. Sea salt is recommended instead of table salt. Filtered and purified water should be used instead of tap water and distilled water, which often contain heavy metals. This should be especially considered when cooking and making tea. If you like coffee and chocolate, green and other herbal teas are recommended instead. I know how difficult this is for smokers, but I’m just reminding you that we need to be careful so that life doesn’t become unbearable.
After all these warnings, you might say, “There’s nothing left for us to eat.” But there’s so much to eat in this world. What did our grandmothers and great-grandmothers eat? For example, goat cheese, curd cheese? Did artificial sweeteners, tea bags, and microwave ovens exist back then? Women used to make their own tomato paste, tarhana soup, noodles, and pickles at home. Now, we may not have the time for that. Those who profit from harmful products sold in supermarkets; processed and dyed foods, will be very upset about this, but human health must be prioritized above all else.
It seems that grapefruit juice should never be taken with any medication; there should be at least a four-hour gap. The active ingredient in it increases the side effects of any medication we take. We should drink carrot and orange juice in moderation to avoid weight gain. While we eat fruit, we should pay attention to portion sizes because it can make us fat. Fresh vegetables, vegetable juices, dried legumes, and yogurt are indispensable. Making yogurt at home is very easy. Cabbage, cauliflower, radish, purslane, leek, tomato, sorrel, watercress, dandelion, celery, carrot, artichoke, peas, onion, garlic, etc.
Small, hot Albanian peppers, bluefish, mackerel, horse mackerel, sun-dried apricots, dried black plums, grapes (the seeds should be chewed), pineapple, walnuts, hazelnuts, dried apples, quince, lemon peel teas, black cumin olive oil, canola and hazelnut oils; these are our essentials, but everything should be consumed in moderation. Homemade antioxidant drinks, vitamin E, omega, and antioxidant supplements are important, and since we’re being rushed into menopause, 1000mg of calcium is crucial. Could you eat five bitter almonds a day? We must live without neglecting ourselves. Women need to store energy for these time-consuming activities like shopping and cooking. Beyond that, we should wish everyone abundance in their finances.
My oncologist insists on turmeric. Since it’s proven to be anti-tumor, at least one tablespoon should be taken daily. If you find it difficult to swallow, you can consume it as a garlic yogurt salad dressing. As long as we’re not the ones who are depleted!
We encourage you to lose excess weight through exercise and to fight free radicals with oxygen. Let’s break free from harmful habits with radical decisions!