Popular Diets: Do They Prevent Cancer?

MD Anderson News Release April 11, 2011

MD Anderson Experts Share Nutrition Insight

MD Anderson News Release 04/11/2011

Not all diet plans help reduce a person¡¯s chances of developing cancer, say experts at The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center. Nutrition experts from MD Anderson separate the good from the bad among popular diets.

¡°Losing weight can help lower your chances for cancer if you¡¯re overweight or obese,¡± said Daxaben Amin, a senior clinical dietitian in MD Anderson¡¯s Department of Clinical Nutrition. ¡°But beware: not just any weight-loss plan will give your body the nutrients it needs to fight off diseases like cancer.¡±

Good nutrition is not a fast fix

¡°Diets that make our ¡®good list¡¯ encourage long-term change,¡± Amin said. ¡°They also give you a variety of options from all food groups.¡±

Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean-style diet makes the ¡®good¡¯ list because it encourages people to make a life-long commitment to good nutrition.

This diet also meets many of the dietary guidelines used for preventing cancer and heart disease. These include:

  • Making fruits, vegetables, nuts and other plant-based foods a big part of every meal
  • Choosing healthy fats, like olive and canola oils, instead of butter
  • Flavoring foods with herbs and spices instead of salt
  • Limiting red meat and alcohol intake
  • Eating fish and poultry at least twice a week

The Whole-Body Approach
This type of diet focuses on eating six to seven small meals each day, instead of the standard three large meals. It makes the ¡®good¡¯ list because it offers the cancer prevention benefits below:

  • Adding fruits, vegetables and whole grains into at least half of your daily meals
  • Encouraging eating lean protein
  • Limiting foods high in fat
  • Including daily physical activity

Crash diets lead to crash endings

¡°Diet plans that encourage short-term change usually don¡¯t provide the nutrients your body needs on a daily basis,¡± Amin said. ¡°These diets make our ¡®bad¡¯ list.¡±

Gluten-free
Gluten is a protein found in most whole grain foods, like wheat, rye, barley and oats. Gluten-free diets are becoming a popular trend. When people go gluten-free, they stop eating foods containing whole grains. But, unless someone has celiac disease, he or she shouldn¡¯t go gluten-free.

Here¡¯s why: whole grains are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. They protect the cells from damage that may lead to cancer.

Carbohydrate-free
¡°Don¡¯t follow diet plans that tell you to completely ¡®cut the carbs,¡¯¡± Amin said.

According to Amin, people should limit their carbohydrates to maintain a healthy weight. But, completely cutting out carbohydrates also cuts out the body¡¯s primary energy source.

Even worse: people deprive their bodies of some important cancer-fighting carbohydrates ¡ª vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans.

¡°Instead of going carb-free, choose your carbohydrates wisely,¡± Amin said. ¡°Pick whole grains rather than cakes, cookies and other foods made with processed or refined grains and sugars.¡±

Moderation is the secret to success

Maintaining a healthy weight requires a life-long commitment. And, the secret to long-term success is moderation.

¡°Keep your pantry stocked with a variety of cancer-fighting foods found in MD Anderson¡¯s cancer prevention grocery list?at www.mdanderson.org/focused,¡± Amin said.

04/11/2011