12 Reasons to Eat Anti-Cancer Carotenoid Rich Foods Every Day

Have some carotenoids for dinner, and for lunch and for breakfast and you may improve your immune function and lower your risk of cancer.  Carotenoids, natural antioxidants and immune modulators, contribute to protecting  our cells from the damage that is part of the physiology of  both aging and cancer. Nature provides these potent and colorful molecules vital to the normal and healthy functioning of our cells and our immune system.

It is no mystery if a food is rich in carotenoids, just look for the richly colored red, yellow, orange and dark green fruits, vegetables and herbs and you will be eating alpha and beta carotene, lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthine, to name a few of more than 600 known types of carotenoids found in foods of plant origin.

Luckily you don’t have to remember the chemical names because nature is literally waving a brightly colored flag to get your attention. Choose the most deeply and richly colored foods to get a good dose of cancer protection from carotenoids every day. A diet low in carotenoids over the long term has been associated with higher risk for some cancers.

12 Ways Carotenoids Work to Keep You Healthy

Recent research suggests that Carotenoids (and Vitamin A) are involved in the regulation and expression of our genes.  Which genes get turned off and on can determine the course of health and disease.  Many colorful plant pigments interact with our genes in a protective fashion.   Literally, your food is talking to your genes!! Why not pick cancer fighting foods which send healthy messages!

Super Anti-Oxidant Effects to protect your cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals are rogue single electrons that damage your DNA, your genetic material.  If your body cannot repair the damage, the beginning of an abnormal or cancer cell is born. A diet low in anti-oxidants may increase risk for cancer as well as heart disease.

Natural Source of Safe Vitamin A: About Fifty Carotenoids are often called “pro-Vitamin A” nutrients because they supply the building blocks to make the natural biologically active forms of Vitamin A in your body.  Both Carotenoids and Vitamin A are required for normal healthy function.

Immune Modulation:

Carotenoids support our natural immunity.

Carotenoids and Vitamin A have the capacity to increase anti-viral activity, potentially leading to less frequent colds and flus and other viral infections.

Carotenoids and Vitamin A enhance the function of white blood cells which  support the immune system to fight both infections and cancer. The response of antibodies to antigens is increased, improving resistance to and resolution of infections, particularly viral infections. Carotenoids support the formation of white  blood cells called Natural Killer  Cells that have the capacity to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Carotenoids and Vitamin A also maintain the healthy linings of your digestive tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines), respiratory tract (nose, sinuses, ltrachea and ungs) as well as your skin.  These linings and coverings are the first line of defense and are a protective barrier against infectious disease causing organisms such as bacteria, virus and fungus.

Cell to Cell Communication Cells are constantly communicating with one another. Adequate Carotenoids and Vitamin A are necessary for cells to attach to each other, to grow and to differentiate.  When this cell stickiness or cell to cell adhesion and cross talk is disrupted, cancerous tumors can grow.

Normal Cell Growth When a cell is unable to grow  and develop normally or remains a more primitive cell, there is more risk that cancer will develop.

Additional functions Vitamin A and Carotenoids are also involved in normal fertility and ovarian function in women. Vitamin A also plays a role in the formation of healthy bone. Vitamin A and Carotenoids are important to the retina of the eye and are crucial to normal vision particularly adaption from dark to light and for night vision.

One of my favorite books on this subject is “What Color Is Your Diet?” by Dr. David Heber, M.D. (also author of “Nutritional Oncology”), UCLA Center for Human Nutrition.

Sources of Carotenoids (Try to eat 2-4 servings of deeply colored fruits and vegetables at every meal. Use herbs and spices liberally.)

Chinese Herbal Medicines:Some of the richest sources of carotenoids are found in these Chinese Herbal Medicines: Lycium barbarum fruit, Gou Qui Zi, commonly known as Goji Berry.  A close second and third are Schizandra Chinensis Fruit, Wu Wei Zi, and Sea Buckthorn Fruit, Sha Ji (Hippophae rhamnoides)

Vegetables and Herbs: Carrots, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Swiss Chard, Red and Green Bell Peppers, Chili Peppers, Collard Greens, Asparagus,Winter Squash, Yams, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Parsley, Dark green and red lettuces, Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, Dill, Mint, Sage, Tarragon, Coriander.

Fruits and Spices: Apricots, Peaches, Canteloupe, Yellow-Orange Flesh Melons, Mango, Guava,  Papaya, Watermelon, Persimmons, Pink Grapefruit, Tumeric, Saffron, Nasturtium flowers, Cinnamon.

These statements have not been approved by the FDA. This information is provided for educational purposes only. Always consult your doctor before making changes to your diet.