Food can help to prevent inflammation which will help fight cancer, heart disease, stroke and neurodegenerative disease. Here’s some foods that have anti-inflammatory properties: Salmon and healthy fats like olive or canola oil, walnuts and flaxseed which contains omega-3 fats; fruits and vegetables that have lots of color contain flavonoids and antioxidants; whole and cracked wheat like brown rice, whole grain bread and pasta, cereal like oatmeal and oat bran, and beans and legumes all of which contain dietary fiber, B vitamins and an assortment of minerals. Fruit superstars are berries like blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries, citrus fruits like oranges and clementines and also grapes. Vegetable superstars are sweet potatoes, spinach and kale, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, tomatoes and butternut squash. Soy also has anti-cancer properties. Soy foods include tofu, soymilk, soybeans, soynuts and tempeh. Garlic and the flavonoids in green tea have been shown to help prevent cancer.
Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N., is a registered dietitian with a Master’s Degree in clinical nutrition. The former publisher of Kentuckiana HealthFitness Magazine, Kentuckiana Healthy Woman magazine and radio show host of Health News You Can Use, Barbara has over 30 years of experience in promoting healthy lifestyles to consumers. Barbara has private practice, DayByDay Nutrition, www.DayByDayNutrition.com, where she counsels clients on weight loss, cholesterol management, performance nutrition and an array of other medical issues. Barbara writes nutrition and health columns for www.LiveStrong.com. She also designs and presents employee wellness programs to small and large businesses. Barbara is a runner, cyclist, hiker and a mother and grandmother to 9 grandchildren.
