Protect Yourself With These Top Foods
Kidney cancer is one of the top 10 common types of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about one in every 46 men and one in every 80 women will experience kidney cancer. Did you know that INLYTA can help? It's a medication used to treat kidney cancer. It works by blocking the growth of blood vessels that tumors need to grow. By doing this, Inlyta helps slow down or stop the spread of cancer cells in the body.
Learn what foods can help you thwart kidney disease and lead a healthy life.
Carcinogenic Drinks to Avoid
- Soda.
- Sugary fruit juices.
- Energy drinks.
- Alcohol.
- Sweetened iced tea.
- Processed fruit drinks.
- Flavored waters with artificial sweeteners.
- Sweetened coffee drinks.
- Sports drinks with added sugars.
- Canned iced coffees and teas.
Foods for Kidney Health & Cancer Prevention
The kidneys are responsible for removing waste and toxins from the body; this means that eating too many toxin-filled foods or the wrong foods may lead to an increased risk of kidney cancer or disease. So, what cancer-fighting foods should you consider adding to your diet? Let’s take a look!
1. Whole Grains
Whole grains pack a ton of goodness. It’s also not just about kidney health. These types of foods, including whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread and wild rice, help improve digestive health, assist with regulating bowel movements, aid in blood glucose control and may reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Whole grains contain vitamin B, fiber and iron. Eating a good balance of these foods can help your body function optimally, including keeping your kidneys functioning as they should.
2. Plenty of Fruits and Veggies
Your kidneys work hard to help rid the body of waste and toxins. Yet, to avoid your kidneys (or liver!) from becoming overburdened at times, fruits and veggies can help. These types of foods contain plenty of vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants.
These antioxidants can affix themselves to toxins, aiding their removal from the body; this helps the detoxification organs out by acting as a sort of “security" to escort toxins out.
In other words, your parents weren’t wrong when encouraging you to finish eating the veggies on your dinner plate. They do tons of good! These whole foods are further high in nutrients but low in calories, making them a great option for optimal weight management.
Some great examples of vegetables and fruits for kidney health include cauliflower, blueberries, cabbage and bell peppers.
3. Lean Proteins
Degrading kidneys may struggle to process waste created by the digestion and metabolizing of proteins, like meat. Sticking to lean and healthy proteins, such as eggs, low-phosphate fish, shiitake mushrooms, tofu and skinless chicken, can ensure your kidneys don’t become overburdened while ensuring your body gets the protein it needs.
4. Sea Bass
Seafood is frequently important for an overall healthy and balanced diet. However, high-phosphate-containing fish can wreak havoc on your kidney health. To take care of your kidneys better, opt for low-phosphate fish like sea bass. This will provide your body (and brain) with the omega-3s it needs while not putting your kidneys in jeopardy.
5. Garlic
For better kidney health, it’s advised to lower your salt intake. However, garlic can add a bit of spice to make foods more flavorful! It also contains various anti-inflammatory properties, along with vitamin C, manganese and vitamin B6.
What Else Should You Know?
Eating healthy can prevent numerous diseases. When it comes to a “healthy" diet, nutrition is key. We want to fill up more low-calorie and high-nutrient foods over high-calorie and low-nutrient foods (like processed or pre-packaged items).
Taking care of yourself now can also have various benefits if you do happen to get sick. For instance, many kidney cancer patients take medications such as sunitinib and axitinib that come with various adverse side effects. Being in better health can further reduce your odds of severe side effects due to specific treatments.
Additionally, other tips for good kidney health include:
- Being physically active.
- Getting enough quality sleep.
- Quitting or avoiding smoking.
- Reducing or limiting alcohol intake.
- Decreasing stress via relaxation techniques.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Staying hydrated.
- Limiting salt intake.
- Attending regular annual doctor check-ups.
INLYTA
You might also be prescribed a medication called INLYTA, also known as axitinib. It is used to treat kidney cancer and works by blocking the growth of blood vessels that tumors need to grow. By doing this, INLYTA helps slow down or stop the spread of cancer cells in the body.
While sometimes factors regarding whether we get kidney cancer or not are outside of our control, taking care of your health by eating a balanced diet can significantly reduce your odds. On the off-chance you get diagnosed with cancer, at the very least, having a healthy body will give you a fighting chance. Inevitably, prevention is always better than having to undergo treatment.
Often, prevention comes down to looking after your health from a holistic perspective. Where can you improve? Examining your current lifestyle and taking small steps to make improvements can count for years added to your life! Look after yourself now so that you can enjoy the future and combat any health issues that arise with your best foot forward.