![\"Prevent](\"https:\/\/nutrishield.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/DNA-damaged-F.jpg\" "\\"Prevent")
<\/a>The reasons for DNA mistakes<\/h3>\n
A recent study from the Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University confirms that mistakes can be caused by<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Or the mistakes simply occur randomly<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The good news was that only about 5%<\/span> of cancers are due to inherited mutations.<\/p>\n A further 45%<\/span> are due to environmental and lifestyle factors. You can significantly cut the risk of them through a largely plant-based diet plus regular servings of oily fish \u2013 the combination providing you with the anti-oxidants that help prevent the free radical damage that triggers DNA mutation.<\/p>\n What\u2019s new from the Johns Hopkins study is that they calculated that random mistakes may account for as much as 50% of cancer-causing DNA damage<\/span> \u2013 which explains why a passionate vegetarian like Linda McCartney might still succumb to breast cancer.<\/p>\n Other cancers where random mistakes are a major cause are prostate cancer and brain cancer.<\/p>\n So, when statistically 50% of us will have to cope with a cancer, is it all largely chance \u2013 and are you therefore vulnerable whatever<\/em> you do?<\/p>\n NO! There\u2019s a lot<\/u> you can do.<\/p>\n You can support your body\u2019s own natural DNA repair mechanism<\/strong> through your diet.<\/p>\n And you can also give a boost to your immune system, which can \u2018tag\u2019 rogue cancer cells at an early stage and eliminate them.<\/p>\n Humans have extensive DNA repair mechanisms, but these begin to weaken with age, so that DNA damage can accumulate in more and more cells. This not only accelerates ageing, but increases the risk of cancers and, for instance, the irreversible eye disease AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration).<\/em><\/p>\n The carotenoids lycopene<\/strong>, lutein<\/strong> and zeaxanthin<\/strong> have been shown to assist DNA repair and reduce damage, as have the minerals selenium<\/strong> and zinc<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Lycopene especially appears to have protective ability against both prostate and breast cancer.<\/p>\n Oxidation or excess free radical action is a known factor in DNA damage and\u00a0vitamin C<\/strong>,\u00a0vitamin E<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0CoQ10<\/strong>\u00a0are all powerful antioxidants at the right level.<\/p>\n Your immune system not only defends you against outside pathogen invaders like viruses and dangerous bacteria, but against internal \u2018rogue\u2019 cells that become cancer.<\/p>\n Supplement nutrients that support the immune system include\u00a0vitamin A, beta carotene, vitamin D, vitamin E, curcumin, green tea extract, selenium, zinc<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0<\/strong>lycopene<\/strong>.<\/p>\n There is also a purified natural ingredient called 1-3,1-6 beta glucans derived from the cell walls of yeast that is proven to boost your immune system \u2013 see www.immunoshield.com<\/a><\/p>\n The American Cancer Society has for some time recommended NINE portions of fruits and vegetables a day \u2013 and that was recently echoed in a London University report that called for TEN portions a day.<\/p>\n The reason for these high recommended levels is not just that fruits and vegetables contain plenty of anti-oxidant vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, E and minerals selenium and zinc.<\/p>\n So boost your daily intake of dark coloured berry fruits<\/strong> (dark red, blue and black ones like blueberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, loganberries, bilberries, blackberries, chokeberries) and leafy green and cruciferous vegetables<\/strong>. These include kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and spinach.<\/p>\n Consider, too, a supplement that includes the carotenoids lutein and lycopene and powerful polyphenols like curcumin, green tea extract, bilberry and grapeseed extract.<\/p>\n A supplement doesn\u2019t, of course, replace fresh fruits and vegetables \u2013 but the right, comprehensive product is a realistic way to increase your daily intake of polyphenols and carotenoids as well as an optimum intake of vitamins and minerals.<\/p>\n Dr Paul Clayton, former Chair of the Forum on Health at the Royal Society of Medicine, has advised on the formulation of a supplement called NutriShield \u2013 www.nutrishield.com<\/a> that includes these elements.<\/p>\n If you enjoyed this article, please share it with family and friends. You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter for daily headline health tweets.<\/p>\n [DISPLAY_ACURAX_ICONS]<\/p>\n Dr Paul Clayton designed NutriShield as a comprehensive health See the website www.healthdefence.com<\/a> for excerpts and links to buy direct from the publisher.<\/p>\n See online here for delicious recipes from the Health Defence Cookbook<\/strong><\/em> incorporating healthy foods featuring in a Mediterranean Diet. \n
Random mistakes account for up to 50% of some cancers<\/h4>\n
What can you do against cancer?<\/h3>\n
NUTRIENTS THAT SUPPORT DNA REPAIR<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/a>Grapeseed extract<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 rich in plant polyphenols called anthocyanins \u2013 has also been shown to block breast cancer cell DNA damage.<\/p>\nNUTRIENTS THAT SUPPORT IMMUNE FUNCTION<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Foods that support the immune system include mushrooms (especially shiitake and maitake), dark berry fruits (which are high in polyphenols), leafy green vegetables, green tea and garlic.<\/p>\nCancer protection from fruits and vegetables<\/h4>\n
<\/a>Fruits and vegetables also contain highly protective plant compounds called flavonoids and polyphenols. These are both anti-oxidant<\/em> and anti-inflammatory<\/em> (which is also heart-protective).\u00a0 In some cases they trigger beneficial \u00a0\u2018gene expression\u2019 \u2013 turning off genes that predispose you to cancer and turning on genes that help repair DNA.<\/p>\nCancer protection from plant-extract supplements<\/h4>\n
\n
\n<\/a>And register now for a free monthly e-newsletter on the latest in nutrition and health research.<\/h4>\n
\n<\/a> supplement with OPTIMUM levels of essential nutrients. See more detail elsewhere on this site or click on the button.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>Dr Paul Clayton’s best-selling book Health Defence<\/em><\/strong> is available from most good bookstores.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n