Can we eat to cure cancer? According to Dr. William Li, we can. Essentially, he says we can starve the cancer by deterring the process of angiogenesis. He studies how antiangiogentic foods can halt the blood and nutrient supply that feed tumors.
Angiogenesis is the process through which new blood vessels are created to supply various parts of the body. It works very smoothly until a cell mutates into a cancerous cell and uncontrollably reproduces itself, becoming a tumor. Once a cancerous cell cluster begins to demand its own blood supply, its growth only progresses. The idea behind anti-angiogenic treatments of cancer is to hinder this process. Cancer patients can eat foods considered to be anti-angiogenic (like pineapple, dark chocolate, strawberries, and raspberries) to potentially starve out the cancer.
Personally, I found the research Dr. Li presented in his TED Talk fascinating. It really exhibits how many different factors go into the effects of cancer on our bodies, from dietary choices to toxin intake to environmental exposure to genetics. It was amazing to me that something as simple as eating specific foods could lower my own risk of getting cancer and even slow or even stop cancer progression in those already diagnosed with the ailment. Because of the findings Dr. Li shared, I have made an effort to integrate more anti-angiogenic foods into my diet.
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