COLON CANCER – MY OPINION ON DIET

Giving my opinion on food and colon cancer and keeping it simple

Our nation mourned the loss of a brave and courageous man – Chadwick
Boseman, who passed recently from colon cancer. We know that it is
recommended to get a colonoscopy at 50, or sooner if you have a family history
of colon cancer. But who does colon cancer like to target? Chadwick showed us
that you do not have to be 50 or older to get colon cancer.

Only 5 – 10% of colon cancers are hereditary. 75% of colon cancers happen o
people with no known risk factors. When broken down that way, it is a little
startling. However, when caught early, colon cancer is highly treatable and in
early stages curable. The best way to detect colon cancer is to get your
colonoscopy on time and talk with your doctor if it does run in your family.
Fortunately, there are ways to protect your body from this cancer with nutrition
and exercise.

There are foods that can contribute to colon cancer. The number one culprit is
processed meat. These are hot dogs, lunch meats, and bacon. Refined flour,
sugar and sugary drinks, fatty and fried foods are also on the bad list. Let us
jump right to the good list, it is an easy list and your body will thank you.

There is a saying in the nutrition world – “eat the rainbow!” Eating foods with a
variety of color can help insure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need
for a healthy colon:

GREEN: celery, avocado, asparagus, kiwi, cucumber, honeydew, zucchini and
spinach

RED: tomatoes, watermelon, pomegranate, red peppers and red leafy lettuce

ORANGE: cantaloupe, mangos, apricots, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes

YELLOW: acorn squash, lemons, pineapple and yellow peppers

BLUE/PURPLE: plums, figs, eggplant, beets and blueberries

WHITE: onions, garlic, white peaches, cauliflower and turnips

The next step is adding whole grains to your diet. My favorites are oatmeal,
quinoa and brown rice.

Third, you want fiber in your meals. There are two kinds of fiber, and your
colon will appreciate both. Soluble fiber attracts water and makes a gel like
substance in your colon. It slows down digestion and helps push waste out. It is
found in chia seeds, oatmeal, oranges, nuts, celery, apples and carrots.
Insoluble fiber does not attract water. It adds bulk in the intestine and can help
with constipation. Zucchinis, broccoli, grapes, brown rice, tomatoes and green
beans are examples of insoluble fiber.

Last, you need exercise in your life. Studies show that if you exercise 3 to 4 days
a week, you lower your risk of colon cancer. Exercise speeds up digestion, it
increases the microbiota in the gut and strengthens the digestive tract, all
leading to a healthier gut.

In conclusion, eat right, exercise, and get your colonoscopy!

God Bless Chadwick Boseman, and all those who have lost their lives to colon
cancer. Wakanda Forever.

Avocado Pesto over Zucchini noodles:
1 package of zucchini noodles – or you can spiral the zucchini yourself!
Boil water and cut zucchini noodles for only 45 seconds! Do this after you make
the pesto sauce.
1 ripe avocado
1 cup of basil leaves
The juice of 1 lime
3 garlic cloves
1⁄2 teaspoon of sea salt
1⁄4 cup of walnuts
2 tablespoons of olive oil

Water on the side to make pesto smooth
Put everything in the blender, add the water as needed to make it a smooth
pesto sauce
Mix with the zoodles and enjoy colon health!