Do leafy green vegetables cure Ovarian cancer?
Whether you’re prone to ovarian cancer or want to prevent it; you may need to consider incorporating leafy green vegetables in your daily meals.
What is ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is a disease that develops in the cells of the ovaries, which eventually spread to the surrounding tissues. It occurs in the female organ that secret ova or eggs
The cells in a healthy person work together to moderate cell division, multiplication as well ensure that every new cell is a replica of the parent cell.
Ovarian cancer develop from mutations in the gene that control cell division. This sudden changes(mutations) severely affect the gene that normally check the errors caused by replicating DNA – gene.
Hence, the inability of the gene to correctly tell the cells what to do, and to stop rapid cell growth lead to accumulation of abnormal growth of cells while the healthy cells die.
Symptoms
Back pain
Weight loss
Discomfort in the pelvic area
Constipation
Risk factors
Family history of ovarian cancer
Obese
Postmenopausal hormone
Never have been pregnant
Oral contraceptive
Do leafy green vegetables cure Ovarian cancer
Leafy green vegetables
High intake of leafy green vegetables have been linked with low risk of ovarian cancer (1) .
They Include; Kale, Micrograms, Collard greens
Cabbage , Spinach, Beet green, Pumpkin leaves, utazi
Watercress, Romaine lettuce, Bok choy, Swiss chard, Turnips green, Mustard green, Cauliflower, Brussels, wasabi and radish, ukazi, Nchuawu leaves, uziza, Oha.
Leafy green vegetables are excellent source of dietary fiber, phytochemicals vitamins and minerals.
Dietary Fiber
The body makes use of the dietary fibre to prevent development of certain cancer. Different studies have associated high dietary fiber content to reduction of ovarian cancer.
Dietary Fiber has potent to bind and eliminate waste products that can increase chances of ovarian cancer, as well as providing protective role to estrogen.
The American Institute for Cancer Research, says that plant-based foods high in dietary fiber may reduce your cancer risk (2).
Another study conducted revealed that high fibre containing foods may importantly reduce appearance of ovarian, colon and breast cancer (3).
However, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends consuming at least 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories you consume daily; Which is approximately 24 grams of fiber for women and 38 grams for men.
Phytochemicals
These are natural compounds such as flavonoids, B- caroteneoid, isothiocyanate, polyphenol, sulforaphane, which help ward off and improve your overall well-being.
However, they play a critical role in neutralizing and inhibiting growth of dangerous molecules called free radicals which cause gene mutations – causing the cells to divide and multiple abnormally.
Specifically, some antioxidants, polyphenol and sulforaphane found in leafy green vegetables were observed to have an inhibitory effect on growth of ovarian cancer in a study conducted by researchers (4) .
Free radicals are known for triggering oxidative damage, this makes the cells of ovary to grow uncontrollably.
Vitamins and minerals
Leafy green vegetables are store-houses of vitamins and minerals, which contributes greatly in reducing symptoms associated with cancer.
These nutrients plays an excellent role in ovarian cancer prevention.
Daily consumption of these nutrients improve your blood levels of vitamin C, E, A, selenium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and Zinc.
Most of these nutrients like selenium, vitamin C, and vitamin E, serve as antioxidant in our body. Meaning, they work with phytochemicals in the body to keep cancerous growth at bay (5) .
Limit
Red meat
Refined sugar
Beverages containing refined sugar
Highly processed food
Full fat milk
Oral contraceptive
Conclusion
Ovarian cancer is a chronic diseas that may be asymptomatic at the early stage and comes with a daunting challenges.
Obesity, family history of ovarian cancer, regular intake of Oral contraceptive are believed to increase risk of ovarian cancer.
However, plant-based foods have been reported to prevent growth of cancerous cells.
Importantly, consuming substantial amount of leafy green vegetables do not only play a significant role in ovarian cancer but promote overall well-being of the body as well.
