The Immune Supportive Diet

Food to Fight Cancer, Food to Fuel Life

Diet. Nobody wants to hear the word. Mere mention of some of the trendy diets grabbing headlines today will send people running from the room in search of carbohydrates to ease their protein-induced nightmares. And if you’re facing a cancer diagnosis, or if you’re caring for someone who is, a diet that focuses on anything but providing you with sound nutrition and support for your immune system really isn’t worth your time. The truth is, diet doesn’t have to be a four-letter word.

Diet really refers to the daily nourishment we put into our bodies.

It’s part of the complex equation through which we replenish our bodies and allow them to thrive. The millions of cells that comprise our bodies are in a constant state of flux, and in order to maintain a healthy balance, the body constantly goes through a normal process of building up and breaking down. Cells are repeatedly growing, dividing, performing their function and then dying. When cancer enters the equation, due to a malfunction in this system, the result is an accumulation of cancer cells in the body.

Everything we put into our bodies, including food, medicine and even harmful substances—such as cigarette smoke—contributes to this cellular process in either a positive or a negative way. Each day, we make choices that help or harm our bodies. One way to stay healthy–or to maintain health once cancer develops—is to follow an immune supportive diet, which promotes health at the cellular level.

What Is an Immune Supportive Diet?

The immune system has many different components, all of which are designed to fight disease. Your immune system is your primary weapon against illness, and the philosophy behind maintaining a strong immune system is similar to maintaining a strong military program: You want to be prepared for an attack at any time.

The good news is, you can go a long way toward helping prepare yourself by building a strong immune system with a healthy diet. If you were building a house, you would start with the foundation, and it’s the same for your immune system. An immune supportive diet is the foundation for a healthy immune system; it builds health from the inside out.

You Are What You Eat

While it’s important for everyone to choose healthy foods in order to maintain a healthy body, it’s absolutely imperative for cancer patients who already have compromised immune systems to do so.

A recent comprehensive review of hundreds of studies of nutrition and cancer indicated that an immune supportive, anticancer diet would include adequate, but not excessive calories, 10 or more servings of vegetables a day, four or more servings of fruit a day, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, high fiber content, supplementation with fat soluble vitamins, folic acid and vitamin D. In addition, the diet would restrict the intake of red meat, refined sugar and refined flour.[1]

This might sound like a complicated list of rules; however, to follow an immune supportive diet, you don’t need a food scale, a copy of the glycemic index or any other special tools. All you need is to understand that food breaks down in your body and feeds your cells. So, in order to build healthy cells, feed them foods that are proven to boost the immune system, and deprive them of foods that weaken the immune system.

Building Blocks of a Healthy Immune System

Whole Foods: Whole foods are foods that are unprocessed and have a high nutrient content. Generally speaking, whole foods are foods that occur in nature as opposed to foods that come in a box. Whole foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, fish, nuts and seeds. Fresh fruits and vegetables have consistently been shown to provide a protective effect against cancer. [2],[3],[4] In addition, whole foods are often high in fiber, which has been shown to reduce the risk of some cancers.[5]

Antioxidants: Antioxidants are substances, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta carotene, which keep cells healthy by protecting them from the damaging effects of oxidation. The higher the level of antioxidants in the blood, the better protection from cell damage. Recent research indicates that adherence to the Mediterranean diet (based on whole foods) results in a higher level of antioxidants in the blood, which results in protection against cell damage and ultimately, cancer.[6] Foods rich in antioxidants include carrots, pumpkin, squash, citrus fruits, bell peppers and tomatoes.
Essential Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that the body needs. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in tuna, salmon, mackerel, avocadoes, flaxseeds and flax oil. According to a recent Japanese study, omega-3 fatty acids not only boost immunity but have antitumor effects as well.[7]

Organic Foods: Organic foods are free of agricultural chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides. In addition, organic foods do not contain growth hormones, antibiotics or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Choose organic foods whenever possible.

What to Avoid

Processed Foods: Processed foods contain additives, preservatives, food colors, hormones and other chemical substances that can suppress the immune system. Some of these compounds are even known carcinogens. In addition, processed foods typically contain refined sugar and flour products, which contribute to a high glycemic load. Some studies have found a link between cancer and a high glycemic load.[8],[9]

Obesity: Obesity has long been linked to a higher risk of cancer. In fact, the results of a recent study indicate that obesity accounted for 14 percent of all cancer deaths in men and 20 percent in women.[10] High levels of body fat suppress the immune system because the body is forced to direct its energy toward breaking down fat and filtering the chemicals released in body fat rather than performing tasks such as fighting off disease.

Red Meat: Consumption of red meat has been linked to a higher risk of colon and rectal cancer.[11]

Immune Support for Life

Forget “thin thighs in thirty days,” zero carb, net carb, high protein and every other gimmick you associate with the word diet. Instead, think about your body from the inside out. An immune supportive diet is more than a diet, it’s a lifestyle choice based on choosing foods that will help to build health on the inside.

Call it anticancer, immune-supportive or pro-health…it all adds up to the same thing: good old-fashioned common sense. Following an immune supportive diet is your best chance at fighting cancer and living well. Bon appétit.

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