CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Merriam Webster says the word “diet” comes from the Greek word diaeta which means “way of living”, and small changes in your day to day - that could change your life.
Dr. Kosj Yamoah is a physician scientist at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.
He’s spent years studying prostate cancer patients and encourages us all to think of healthy living as a way to prepare your body to fight.
“Our bodies serves as a host, and the host can be healthy enough to fight disease.”
Let’s take a cellular look at how what you eat helps to fight disease.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation says certain nutrients help to prevent cell damage that can lead to cancer.
You find those foods like fruits, vegetables, seeds and beans, and they can help to reduce your risk of cancer.
That includes avoiding foods like processed meats, and artificial ingredients which can lead to chronic inflammation - possibly triggering disease including some forms of cancer.
Trade those, in experts say, for foods rich in fiber like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains or healthy fats like avocado and salmon.
They also say make changes now that can help you in the future.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation says 42% of cancer cases are thought to be preventable with just altering some of your day to day habits.
The fact is that there’s no easy fix.
“There is not one type of food, or one root plant that can cure cancer,” Dr. Yamoah says.
But, he says there’s an easy question to ask yourself.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman or whatever is…what can you do to maintain a healthy lifestyle?”.
We know how hard a lifestyle change can be.
“You do that for a week, and you don’t want to do that anymore,” Dr. Yamoah says.
That’s why he suggests taking small steps first.
“It starts with just changing one thing that you know is not healthy for your body.”
That could start with just getting more rest.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation says a healthy lifestyle includes rest, exercise and nutrition.
Those factors together stimulate your immune system’s ability to prevent cancer cells from growing out of control.
To learn more about the #EatItToBeatItChallenge, click here.