From a western nutritional perspective, we know that including an abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats helps to strengthen our overall health, improve cardiovascular health, and create strong immunity systems.

A Chinese nutritional perspective embraces those ideals and expands the role of food as medicine in acknowledging that certain types of food have specific resonances with the energies of the immunity system and our abilities to release carcinogenic pathogens, and give support to the body to recover from surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Turnips

This remarkable yet common healing food has an impact on all 12 meridians (energy pathways in the body) to help us move out pathogens and detoxify the body.

Turnips in the diet can provide support to people who are going through chemotherapy or radiation therapies or for those who need to detoxify stress chemicals that form as we respond to everyday life.

In Asian countries, soups are made of turnip, carrots and cabbage to help strengthen the immunity system and heal from viruses, bacterial infections and other pathogens. A cup or two of this type of soup 4-7 times a week, can strengthen the internal organs and promote a vibrant flow of energy throughout the body. When our energy flows smoothly and without obstructions, disease cannot exist.

You can make this soup easily by using a base of 4 cups of organic chicken broth (low sodium or organic vegetable broth), 3 large turnips diced, 3 large carrots diced, and 1/2 cup of white cabbage. Add in 1-2 tsp of toasted garlic, 1 small purple onion, 2 tsp of fennel seed, and 2 stalks of finely chopped organic celery for flavor.

Bring to boil, then simmer for one hour.

Lycopene Rich Foods

Lycopene is similar to beta carotene, a powerful anti-oxidant that helps to prevent cancer. Lycopene occurs naturally in the prostate and declines with age. However, we can help to support healthy levels of lycopene through diet.

Foods rich in lycopene include red vegetables and fruit, especially cooked or processed tomatoes. Other foods include pink grapefruit (check for interactions with certain cancer and other medications), watermelons, apricots, and pink guava.

However, before you rush out to buy lycopene supplements, you should also be aware that the efficacy of supplements of lycopene and high consumption of lycopene rich foods has been questioned by the FDA after examining data from 107 observational studies and 23 studies that included blood analysis.

The FDA stated that consuming lycopene supplements or high amounts of lycopene rich foods does not have a significant impact on prostate health and cancer. The FDA's position on this issue was reported in the Journal of Cancer Institute (July 10, 2007) issue.

Yet, anecdotal clinical evidence exists of clients improving their PSA levels (levels that indicate the health of the prostate) by adding lycopene rich foods to their diets.

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