"Can we Eat to Starve Cancer?"

Obesity and Cancer. These are two hot button topics in the U.S. today. William Li, head of the Angiogenesis Foundation, asks the question "Can we eat to starve cancer?"

In a 2010 lecture at a TED talks convention, Li presented compelling scientific results suggesting that the food we eat can help treat cancer as well, if not better than, common medical treatments. It should be no surprise to use that Mother Nature has provided us with a smorgasbord of foods that help our body protect and defens itself. Li has compiled a long list of foods that have remarkable anti-angiogenesis qualities. More so, he has found that combining certain foods can have a synergenic effect, making their anti-angiogenesis quality even stronger.

What's so important about Angiogenesis? This is the process that allows our body to control blood vessel growth. When our body needs more, stimulators (proteins) trigger their growth, when they are no longer needed, inhibitors (proteins as well) stop their growth. Malignant tumors are able to recruit their own blood supply, sometimes at an alarming rate. This blood supply allows for tumors to grow and metastisize (travel to other parts of the body). Anti-angiogenesis treatments stop blood vessel development and therefore starve the tumor. Taking doses of anti-angiogenesis cocktails has proven to be an efficient means of treating cancer. However, Li suggests a diet of anti-angiogenesis foods, can be even more efficient, not too mention more economical and practical for many.

The idea that locally grown sustainable crops can help prevent and treat cancer, which results in millions of deaths every year is a beautiful idea. Not to mention, the reduction in obesity that would result from such a diet.

So, what are these magical foods that Li speaks of? A few are strawberries, green tea, artichokes, soy beans and tomoatos. The list is extensive and tastey! Lose some weight, improve your bodies ability to control tumor growth, support local farmers, and practice your culinary skills; this is the best disease prevention and treatment plan I can imagine.