A Brief Guide To Superfoods That Aid In Fighting Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer affecting women, after breast cancer. One of the most common causes identified for this form of cancer is contracting the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in a high-risk form. Every woman is prone to contract HPV in some form or the other at least once in her lifetime, and when she does, the immune system in the body eradicates HPV before it evolves into any other form. In some cases, the virus stays active in the body without being flushed out, and this ends up increasing the risk of cervical cancer. To know the diet or superfoods for fighting cervical cancer, one needs to be aware of what the disease is and how it should be dealt with.

To protect oneself from HPV, it is essential to get a regular screening done through Pap tests or specific HPV tests if one is around or above 30 years of age. One also has the option to get an HPV vaccine between the ages of 9 and 26. While these screenings can help a woman keep a check in case of HPV, there are lifestyle changes, especially in terms of the diet, that can work wonders on a woman’s overall health. A diet filled with superfoods for fighting cervical cancer can go a long way in also helping one regulate their body’s health as a whole.

One of the reasons for HPV to develop is the levels of folic acid, a form of Vitamin B, going low. This signifies the importance of a vitamin-rich diet for the body to provide ample nourishment for its functions to carry on without any hindrance. Folic acid not only plays a significant role in developing healthy DNA in the body, but it also aids in protection against any precancerous changes that may seem to take form in the cervix. In case of abnormal pap smears, the first course of medical action is to give the patient a mild dosage of just 5-10 mg of folic acid to reverse the abnormality.

Dietary changes
The most common natural sources of folic acid that form a critical element in the list of superfoods for fighting cervical cancer are citrus fruits, beans, lentils, and dark, leafy greens like asparagus and spinach. In addition to following a vitamin B-rich diet to get an ample supply of folic acid, one needs to factor in other specific forms of foods that are rich in vitamin C, iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6. Some of these superfoods for fighting cervical cancer are mentioned here:

• Cruciferous forms of vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli.
• Antioxidant-rich fruits like raspberries, blueberries, and papaya.
• Antioxidant-rich teas like green tea.
• Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, mackerel, cod, chia seeds, and walnuts.

While these are some of the major superfoods you need to include in the diet, there are also certain types of foods that need to be eliminated or kept in moderation in one’s diet, and those include the following:

• Red meat, dairy products, or any other form of animal products that could cause inflammation.
• One should ensure that they avoid any form of highly processed carbohydrates or refined sugars that could be in the form of processed grains, bleached flour, or more commonly in pre-made boxed foods.

The best way to ensure that one averts the risk is to consciously eat healthily and add superfoods for fighting cervical cancer.