title: Diet and cancer.
abstract: The aim of our study is to evaluate the relationship between diet and cancer development. It has been estimated that 30-40% of all kinds of cancer can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle and dietary measures. A low use of fibres, the intake of red meat and an imbalance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats may contribute to increase the risk of cancer. On the other hand, the assumption of lots of fruit and vegetables may lower the risk of cancer. Protective elements in a cancer-preventive diet include selenium, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, chlorophyll and antioxidants such as carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, cryptoxanthin). Ascorbic acid has limited benefits if taken orally, but it effective through intravenous injection. A supplementary use of oral digestive enzymes and probiotics is also an anticancer dietary measure. A diet drawn up according to the proposed guidelines could decrease the incidence of breast, colon-rectal, prostate and bronchogenic cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of L'Aquila, G. Mazzini Hospital, Teramo, Italy. duilio.divisi@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Duilio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Divisi
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Tommaso
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salvemini
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garramone
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crisci
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D005947:Glucose