| By now most of us have heard that green tea has | | | | factors, and many of them can be controlled. The |
| been shown to be an effective cancer preventer. | | | | leading risk factors include: |
| There are numerous studies that have shown green | | | | - Smoking |
| tea's anti-oxidants to have significant power in | | | | - Obesity |
| protecting our health and preventing disease. | | | | - Poor Diet - As mentioned earlier, high levels of |
| Much of the research on green tea has been | | | | salted and smoked meat can contribute to stomach |
| performed on laboratory mice, mostly because | | | | cancer. Conversely, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables |
| human trials take years to perform, and because | | | | has been shown to lower your risk of stomach |
| human trials are rife with variables that can make | | | | cancer. |
| conclusions difficult to determine. | | | | - Previous stomach surgery - those who have had |
| However, one study performed in China on stomach | | | | surgery for ulcers and other stomach problems are |
| cancer, did look at humans and attempted to | | | | at a higher risk of stomach cancer. |
| ascertain whether or not green tea could mitigate | | | | - Pernicious anemia sufferers |
| their cancer risk, particularly in those who had a | | | | - Menetrier Disease sufferers |
| higher than average risk of stomach cancer, due to | | | | - Those with Type A blood |
| family history. | | | | - Stomach polyps |
| This study examined 206 people who had recently | | | | - Family History |
| been diagnosed with stomach cancer, and 415 | | | | - Epstein-Barr Virus |
| healthy participants. The subjects were thoroughly | | | | - Bacterial infections |
| interviewed regarding their dietary habits. The | | | | Mitigating Your Risk |
| participants were also screened for their relative | | | | We can't control our family history or our blood type, |
| susceptibility to stomach cancer, based on family | | | | but many of the risk factors for stomach cancer are |
| history and other factors that raise the risk of | | | | things that we have some control over. As an overall |
| developing stomach cancer. | | | | way to help prevent cancer, it's important to eat a |
| This study showed a significant reduced risk of | | | | healthy diet. |
| stomach cancer in those who were regular green tea | | | | Lots of fruits and vegetables are critical in this part |
| drinkers. The reduced risk was even significant in | | | | of your cancer prevention regime, because in addition |
| those participants who would normally have had a | | | | to their other healthy qualities, they are loaded with |
| higher than average risk of developing the disease. | | | | anti-oxidants, just like green tea. |
| Therefore, the study concluded that green tea may | | | | Anti-oxidants are known cancer preventers because |
| have the ability to mitigate other cancer risk factors. | | | | they fight the free radicals created in our bodies as |
| In particular, green tea was shown to significantly | | | | we convert food to energy. These free radicals |
| mitigate the risk for heavy alcohol drinkers. | | | | damage cells and DNA, leading to disease. But, a diet |
| Stomach cancer is a significant risk in the US. Each | | | | rich in anti-oxidants can neutralize these free radicals, |
| year, over 22,000 people are diagnosed with the | | | | preventing their damage. |
| disease, and over 11,000 will die from it. Two thirds | | | | So, including fruits and vegetables in your diet can |
| of those who get stomach cancer each year are | | | | help you in several ways. First of all, you'll be getting |
| over the age of 65. | | | | lots of vitamins and your daily dose of anti-oxidants. |
| Today, stomach cancer is far less common in the US | | | | However, fruits and vegetables can also help you |
| than it once was. Doctors believe this reduction is | | | | keep your weight in check, which is also a cancer |
| caused primarily by two things. The first is the more | | | | preventer. Obesity is a risk factor for stomach, and |
| regular use of anti-biotics to treat infections in | | | | many other forms of cancer. |
| children. One particular bacteria, known as H pylori, is | | | | You can also mitigate your stomach cancer risk by |
| a significant contributor to stomach cancer, and | | | | not smoking. Most people know that smoking causes |
| anti-biotics can often kill this bacteria in our bodies | | | | lung cancer, but many people don't realize that |
| while we're still children, before it can cause problems | | | | smoking contributes to the development of many |
| later on. | | | | forms of cancer, including stomach cancer. It's also a |
| The second reason doctors believe we've seen a | | | | wise idea to limit your alcohol intake. |
| decrease in stomach cancer is refrigeration. In years | | | | Some studies have shown an increased risk of |
| past, the only way to keep meat safe for long | | | | stomach cancer among those who drank alcohol in |
| periods of time was through salt curing or smoking. | | | | large quantities over a period of years. |
| It's believed that the nitrates in meats preserved in | | | | Finally, it's important to keep close tabs on your |
| this manner contribute to the development of | | | | health in general. Visit your doctor regularly for |
| stomach cancer. Therefore, the reduction in the | | | | checkups and have routine tests done when |
| amount of salt cured and smoked meats in our diet | | | | recommended. |
| may reduce our risk of stomach cancer. | | | | And, don't forget to drink some green tea each and |
| What are the risk factors for stomach cancer? | | | | every day to give yourself and extra boost of |
| So, just what does make us have a higher risk of | | | | cancer prevention! |
| developing stomach cancer? There are several risk | | | | |