Top Gov't Scientist: Foods That Beat Cancer

Diet and the risk of developing cancer are inexorably linked, says Dr. John A. Milner, chief of the Nutritional Sciences Research Group of the National Cancer Institute. "Most of the evidence around the world indicates that of all cancers, about 35 percent is related to dietary habits," he told Newsmax Health. "That's really a significant percentage of cancers that are avoidable if you choose the right diet."

But picking the right diet isn't easy. "Choosing the right type of diet is very complex, because there are potentially a lot of different foods that could offer benefits," Milner says. There are about 25,000 bioactive food components, he says, so knowing which foods are best is complicated.

One of the best plans to prevent cancer through diet is by simply controlling calories, he says. Cut calorie consumption if you begin to "put on a little excess baggage in the abdominal area, which tends to be related more to cancer risk," he says.

The best approach to a healthy diet is to choose more fruits and vegetables, he says. In addition, Milner advises selecting more grains, such as oats and barley, and eating more fish and soybeans. And don't forget to add spices to your dishes. "Spices such as garlic can reduce your risk of some types of cancer," he says.

Milner doesn't advocate taking numerous supplements. "There really isn't strong evidence that supplements reduce the risk of cancer," he said. "But I think there is evidence that vitamin inadequacies increase the risk of cancer." Instead of taking vitamins and minerals in excessive amounts, he says the best choice is a balanced diet that will naturally provide enough vitamins and minerals.

"Most of the evidence points to the use of a balanced diet rather than using supplements to circumvent a balanced diet."

Still, he says, many natural substances are being investigated. "Some of the most noteworthy studies involve vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and curcumin."

There aren't specific foods Milner says to avoid. "I'm not sure there are really bad foods, but there are really bad diets," he says. The key is to avoid eating too many foods high in calories. The mindset, he says, should be to reduce total caloric intake, and enjoy eating a variety of foods. "With diets, one size doesn't fit all."

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