Lungs, located in the chest cavity along with the heart, are vital organs in our body responsible for breathing. Lung cancer refers to a malignant tumor that occurs in the lungs, and is divided into primary lung cancer, which occurs in the lung itself, and metastatic lung cancer, which occurs when cancers originating in other organs spread to the lungs. In addition, primary lung cancer types are divided into non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer based on the size and shape of the cancer cells. Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for 80-85% of lung cancers, and non-small cell lung cancer is further subdivided into adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Lung cancer is known to have a high mortality rate compared to other cancers due to its high metastasis and low cure rate. The 5-year survival rate of lung cancer is reported to be 80% in stage 1, 60% in stage 2, 30% in stage 3, and 10% in stage 4. Smoking accounts for the largest proportion of lung cancer, and other factors, including genetic factors, long-term exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos, chromium, and arsenic, carcinogens of benzopyrene, and radioactive substances such as radon and uranium It is known to be involved in a combination of factors to influence its development. For the prevention of lung cancer, it is most important to quit smoking, and it is also necessary to improve the environmental and occupational factors as much as possible. In addition, it is a very important preventive habit to consume foods that protect the lung mucosa and help remove harmful substances that cause cancer. So today, let’s take a look at some of the foods that help prevent lung cancer.
Foods good for lung cancer prevention
1. Broccoli
The first food I would like to introduce is broccoli, which is recognized as an excellent superfood. Sulforaphane, which is abundantly contained in broccoli, is known as an excellent anti-cancer ingredient, and it is said to have an excellent effect in removing various harmful substances that cause cancer. Broccoli is also rich in a component called indole 3-carbanol, which has the effect of treating the damage that carcinogens inflict on cells before they turn into cancer cells. This indole 3-carbanol is abundant in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, and several studies have shown that regular consumption of cruciferous vegetables can reduce the risk of lung cancer by 40% .
2. Tomato
As an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, tomatoes are one of the world’s most recognized superfoods. Due to the strong antioxidant action of lycopene, a carotenoid-based nutrient that gives tomatoes its characteristic red color, it is excellent in enhancing immunity and removing toxins and harmful substances that cause cancer. In addition, the organic acid component contained in tomatoes is known to help the breakdown of nicotine, so it is known to help a lot in the health management of smokers at high risk of lung cancer.
3. Ginger
Ginger, which has a characteristic spicy and salty taste, is also one of the good foods to prevent lung cancer. Gingerol and shogaol, the core ingredients of ginger, are known to remove cancer-causing substances and inhibit the growth of tumor cells, so it can help prevent lung cancer. In addition, these gingerol and shogaol ingredients have a strong sterilization effect and are effective in improving the immune function, which acts as a shield of the body. The combined action of these parts also helps prevent lung cancer.
4. Garlic
Garlic, which belongs to the Liliaceae family and has a pungent smell and taste, is also included in foods that help prevent lung cancer. Garlic is rich in various sulfur compounds, including allicin. These ingredients are said to be involved in inhibiting the development of cancer cells and have a beneficial effect on the prevention of lung cancer. In addition, garlic’s excellent anticancer effect is known to be excellent in helping to prevent not only lung cancer, but also liver cancer and colon cancer. In addition, the excellent bactericidal action of garlic improves the immune function to protect against the risk of cancer, and it is effective in cultivating the body’s resistance.
5. Seaweed
Seaweeds, such as seaweed and kelp, are rich in natural anticancer compounds called fucoidan. This fucoidan component is said to help reduce the possibility of lung cancer by inducing the death of only cancer cells while maintaining normal cells. In addition, fucoidan is known to be involved in preventing cancer cells from forming new blood vessels for metastasis, so it is reported to have a beneficial action in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and in curing cancer. The excellent anticancer effect of fucoidan has been known to help prevent not only lung cancer but also digestive system-related cancers.
other foods
Various foods such as green vegetables, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and berries as well as the various types of food introduced above can help suppress the activity of cancer cells and strengthen the immune system to help suppress the occurrence of lung cancer. As is known, a balanced and consistent intake is important.
