My, my, my...

so much valuable information to be had.  As you may know I spent a few days in Washington DC at the Cancer Project's 'Food for Life' training. 

Fiber, fiber, fiber is your friend.  That knowledge I already embraced but now I have an increased respect for fiber and the role in plays in reducing your risk of cancer.  Fiber, our friend in all plant based foods - helps rid the body of extra hormones particularly estrogen and testosterone.

And 'Dairy', studies have shown, is linked to increased risk for prostate, testicular, ovarian and breast cancers. 

Via the Cancer Projects website:

 "Prostate cancer has been linked to dairy products in several studies. In Harvard’s Physicians Health Study, including more than 20,000 male physicians, those who consumed more than two dairy servings daily had a 34% higher risk of developing prostate cancer than men who consumed little or no dairy products. Several other studies have shown much the same thing.

Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this association. Dairy product consumption increases levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) in the bloodstream. IGF-1 is a potent stimulus for cancer cell growth. High IGF-1 levels are linked to increased risk of prostate cancer and breast cancer."

I can not do justice to the information I was given and all that is available to you. We always suggest eating from the colors of the rainbow - now we are adding "be even more specific".  The Cancer Project is based on a four food group pyramid:

• fruits (3 or more servings) serving size 1/2 cup or 1 whole
• legumes (3 or more servings) serving 1/2 cup cooked beans; 1/4 cup bean spread; 1 cup non-dairy milk; 3 oz tofu, tempeh, seitan or meat alternative
• vegetables (4 or more servings) serving 1 cup raw; 1/2 cup cooked 
• grains (6 or more servings) serving 1/2 cup cooked; 3/4 to 1 cup dry cereal; 1 slice of bread; 1/2 tortilla; a bagel is 4 servings

and a low fat diet

http://www.cancerproject.org/index.php

I just read today that the 21-DAY WEIGHT LOSS KICKSTART, by Neal D. Barnard. (Grand Central Life & Style, $25.99.) A plant-based way to slim down and boost health. is #8 on the NYTimes Best Sellers List. 

A must read for your health!

Interesting to note that the "Cancer Project's Dietary Guidelines for Cancer Prevention and Survival" recommendations are not that far removed from the recommendations of the American Cancer Society, American Institute for Cancer Research and the National Cancer Institute.

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." ~Albert Einstein