Cancer Fighting Foods: What to Eat to Protect Your Skin

Have you ever wondered exactly how and why skin cancer begins? Well, when the sun instigates the formation of free radicals in the skin, it can set off a series of reactions in our cells that cause their development to go awry. As these abnormal cells accumulate in the skin, cancer sets in.

At Skin Wellness Dermatology of Alabama, we know that while protecting yourself from the sun can prevent the formation of free radicals, your diet can make an impact as well. As skilled specialists, we recommend you add the following foods to your regular mealtimes and snacks as a proactive measure to help keep UV-damage at bay.

Green Tea. While Dr. Hartman was a resident at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, his department conducted research on the polyphenols in green tea and found that they protect our skin from the damage done by UV rays, reducing the changes made to our DNA by free radicals. There is also evidence that green tea can inhibit the multiplying of melanoma cells throughout the body.

Vitamins C & E. Studies have shown that antioxidants obtained through Vitamin C and Vitamin E offer protection from skin cancer by interacting with free radicals and neutralizing them. We recommend carrots, bell peppers, citrus fruits, tomatoes, bell peppers, dark leafy greens, broccoli, berries, sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach and avocado.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids. In addition to boosting your immunity to sun damage, Omega-3s also slow the buildup of plaque inside blood vessels and curb joint pain from arthritis. We advise our patients to obtain these goods fats by eating salmon, trout, edamame, walnuts or an omega-3 fish oil supplement.

Organic, non-modified foods. Limit how much processed meat you eat and choose whole grains instead of refined grains. Focus on fruits and vegetables that were grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or genetically modified organisms. Our research has shown that pesticides and trans fatty acids stimulate changes in the body that allow for the development of many different kinds of cancer.

At Skin Wellness Dermatology of Alabama, we make it our business to care for your skin. For more information on the prevention and treatment of skin cancers, schedule a consultation with one of our medical professionals today.