MultiCare Health System

Food as a Tool

Over 560,000 cases of cancer could be prevented each year by simply eating right, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and by quitting smoking.

In a year, the average American will consume 1,500 pounds of food, including 263 eggs, 27 pounds of cheese, 134 pounds of sugar, 19 pounds of cereal, 116 pounds of beef, 117 pounds of potatoes, 100 pounds of fresh vegetables, 80 pounds of fresh fruit and 22 pounds of tomatoes.

While over 80 percent of adult Americans are aware that eating more vegetables and fruit decreases cancer risk, and 60 percent are aware that exercise also lowers the risk, the nation’s collective girth is expanding at an alarming rate. The incidence for developing some form of cancer in America is now one out of every two men and one out of every three women. It is speculated that over 560,000 cases of cancer
could be prevented each year by simply eating right, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and by quitting smoking.

While the specific roles of naturally occurring substances in individual foods are not yet fully understood, much research has been done in recent years on the compounds found in foods that actually promote freedom from disease. It is crucial that we begin to look at our food as health products that can supply our bodies with the vitamins and minerals that it needs to protect, repair, build, and sustain us as healthy individuals. We know that diets high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains help prevent and fight cancer. One of the most exciting discoveries in recent years has been the phytochemicals (plant chemicals), the substances that give plants their odor, color and flavor, and function as powerful antioxidants. Phytochemicals interfere with cancer at many stages. They prevent carcinogens from damaging cells, suppress runaway cell reproduction and growth, block enzymes that activate cancer genes, deactivate excess estrogen, and assist in producing other enzymes that help destroy cancer cells.

Do not think that it is too late to make lifestyle changes simply because you already have cancer. After all, you’re going to consume over 1,000 pounds of food in the next year. Isn’t it feasible that if you concentrate on eating the most nutrient-rich food, ounce for ounce, it might give you an edge over this disease?


Fast Food Facts

  • One-third of adults say they regularly choose foods for medicinal purposes, i.e., chicken soup for a cold or cranberry juice for a urinary tract infection.
  • The average American throws away about $250 worth of fruits and vegetables each year.
  • Antioxidants in turmeric, one of the ingredients in curry powder, prevent DNA damage and block tumor growth.
  • Fruits are digested in 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Most vegetables are digested within 45 to 60 minutes. Pork takes nine hours.
  • One-third of adults and one-fifth of adolescents in the US are overweight.
  • Sugar produces faster-growing and more deadly tumors in animal tests.
  • Shiitake mushrooms stimulate immune function.