Boy am I happy that a lot of the foods I naturally hold dear and find delicious are actually foods that offer superior nutritional benefits as a defense against breast cancer. One of the foods that I really have grown to love which helps prevent breast cancer, and other forms of cancer as well, is the avocado.
Long given a bad rap because it is high in fat, the avocado is anything but unhealthy. It is one of the healthiest fatty foods you can add to your diet, in fact, and is delicious, versatile and filling as well.
The avocado possesses a nutrient that is also found in other foods called oleic acid, in high concentrations. Oleic acid has been identified as an excellent protectant against breast cancer.
In addition to its high concentration of oleic acid, avocados also possess several antioxidants that help fight cancer formation as well. These include vitamin E, lutein (which is also excellent for eye health) and caretenoids. These nutrients offer great health benefits, and they will also give you glowing skin when eaten in abundance. Just another fringe benefit to keep in mind.
Other foods that are high in this oleic acid are olive oil, sunflower oil, canola oil and grapeseed oil. These are all great options to cook with, however, remember that cooking at high temperatures can alter the chemical structure of monosaturated fats like these (these are the healthy types of fats), so don’t use them at searing temperatures.
The ideal way to enjoy these healthy oils is on top of a salad, or added to your foods that are already cooled down. One of my favorite ways to get organic, virgin olive oil, is to add some to my bottle of “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” spray and spray it on my whole wheat english muffin every morning.
One of the common factors of foods and oils that contain high levels of this beneficial acid is that they are extremely filling and satisfying. They tend to satisfy your hunger for hours by stabilizing your blood sugar levels and keeping you from getting hungry too often.
Oleic acid can also have anti inflammatory benefits, so people who have inflammatory disorders like arthritis and fibromyalgia may benefit from consuming foods that are rich in this acid.
There is also a great benefit to heart health that can be enjoyed by consuming these healthy fat foods, so be sure to add them to your diet every day, and do away with the margarine and other types of fats.
