How nutrition helps in preventing cancer -Experts
Experts have said that nutrition has a key role in tackling the burden of cancer in the country. They said it does not only reduce the risk of the disease but also helps those who already have it to beat it. Dr Omo Ohiokpehai, a nutritionist and agro-processor of CEHEND, said the vast majority of […]
Experts have said that nutrition has a key role in tackling the burden of cancer in the country.
They said it does not only reduce the risk of the disease but also helps those who already have it to beat it.
Dr Omo Ohiokpehai, a nutritionist and agro-processor of CEHEND, said the vast majority of diseases could be prevented and even cured with excellent nutrition.
Speaking during the launch of Haves2HaveNot Initiative in Abuja, Dr Ohiokpehai said people who develop cancer tended to have low intakes of raw and fresh vegetables, leafy green vegetables, lettuce, carrots, raw and fresh fruits, cruciferous (cabbage family) vegetables, flavonoids and that lignans (soy, grains, vegetables) are associated with lower risk of sex hormone-related cancers.
“Low in energy, good sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals. Good sources of antioxidants (vitamins C, E, selenium, phytochemicals such as carotenoids, flavonoids, plant sterols, and allium compounds,” she said.
She said the ways to utilize nutrition in preventing cancer include, choosing a diet rich in a variety of plant-based foods, eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, and maintaining a healthy weight and to be physically active.
Others include drinking alcohol only in moderation, if at all; selecting foods low in fat and salt, preparing and storing food safely, drinking plenty of water and not using tobacco in any form.
The nutritionist said “the most important things you can do to reduce cancer risk are maintain a healthy weight, eating healthily, being physically active, avoiding smoking and drinking plenty of water.”
She said: “Researches have shown that a more plant-based diet may help prevent, treat, or reverse leading causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.”
Israel Onurah Adaji, president and founder of Haves2HaveNot Initiative (H2HI), said the burden of diseases and people suffering from lack in Nigeria calls for innovative approaches in tackling them.
He said tackling cancer in the country does not require focusing on interventions for the condition but majorly providing information that will assist the patients and even the government that cancer is not a disease but a condition that can be prevented with foods grown in the house, or bought at markets, instead of spending huge sums of money on treatment and drugs that predisposed the sufferer to more harm.
He said he was inspired to found the Haves2HaveNot Initiative (H2HI), a non- governmental organization, to bridge the gap between those who have money and knowledge and those who lack them.
He said its first area of focus is health and that cancer and children with heart disease are the focal areas.
“The first aspect we want to look at is health. We want to look at health, because health is wealth. When you deal with the issue of health, the nation will be healthy to continue improving and developing its economy,” Adaji said.
He said the NGO intends to partner with other non-governmental organizations, the Federal Government and international community in creating awareness on harnessing foods and nutrition in tackling cancer.
“We also want to do a great awareness among cancer patients so that when they change their diet or lifestyle they will be able to recover fast,” he said.
He added that the organization also hoped to provide books with simplified explanations for children and young adults as well as people at the grassroots on good food types to eat and live healthy.
A cancer survivor, Mrs Udeh Blackie, said changing diet to include a lot of vegetables helped her survive cancer. She said some of the vegetables include blending ugwu and garden egg leaves as well as exercising discipline in what she eats.