Better diet, exercise could cut cancers by one-third

[Guest guest]

NEW YORK, 02 Mar 2000 18:55 EST

Reuters Health

 

Cancer will strike one in three Americans at some point in their lives. But the

number of cancers could be cut by one third if Americans adopt simple lifestyle

changes, according to a recent statement from the Food and Nutrition Science

Alliance (FANSA).

 

'In terms of cancer prevention, a healthy diet and exercise are as important as

not smoking,' said FANSA Chair Dr. Dennis Savaiano in a statement.

 

'Approximately one-third of cancer cases are attributed to smoking, one-third to

poor diet and lack of exercise, and one-third to genetic or other factors,'

added Savaiano, who is also a professor of foods nutrition at Purdue University.

'Most Americans are already aware of the detrimental effects ofmoking, but poor

diet is cause for alarm. We need to initiate changes in behavior now, in order

to reduce the number of cancer-related deaths in the years to come.'

 

If present trends continue, FANSA estimates that 170,000 preventable deaths from

cancer will continue to occur each year.

 

After heart disease, cancer is the country's second leading cause of death,

killing over 500,000 people a year. FANSA calls for more focus on prevention,

noting that most research money currently goes into treatment.

 

The organization presents four 'practical, diet-related ways' to cut the risk.

They urge all Americans to take these steps:

 

-- Eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole

grains, beans and legumes, including 3 to 5

servings of vegetables and 2 to 4 servings of fruits

a day. These can be fresh, frozen, dried or canned.

 

-- Monitor fat intake.

 

-- Avoid obesity by improving eating habits and

participating in regular physical activity.

 

-- Limit intake of alcohol, or avoid it.

 

Good diet and exercise are preferable to nutritional supplements, FANSA states,

because the 'many vitamins, minerals and other plant substances' in food, when

combined with physical activity, work together to protect cells from cancer, and

perhaps even repair some of the damage that's already been done.

 

Noting that 'relatively few' Americans have actually adopted these

recommendations, FANSA called for food, nutrition, fitness, and health

organizations to increase public awareness of the drastic need for change in

these habits. In addition, the organization called on the federal government to

'balance its efforts in medical care and basic research by taking the leadership

for cancer prevention through promotion of healthier eating and exercise

practices.'

 

'In order to effect a change, all food, nutrition, fitness, health, and

government organizations must strive to create consumer demand for a healthy

lifestyle,' according to the statement.

 

FANSA is a partnership of four organizations -- The American Dietetic

Association, the American Society for Clinical Nutrition, the American Society

for Nutritional Sciences, and the Institute of Food Technologists.

 

http://www.thriveonline.com/health/news/RB/2000Mar02/9.html

--

 

 

_____________

Free email services provided by http://www.goodkarmamail.com

 

 

powered by OutBlaze