Recent statistics show that there is a significant increase in cancer in people under 50, such as cancer of colon, breast, liver and esophagus. Whether this can be attributed to poor diet and lifestyle remains to be seen. Nonetheless, it’s important to know what foods to avoid and which herbs and spices to include into our diet, which is where we continue our discussion today.

Having a variety of different wholefoods in our diet makes a big impact on our healthspan. Today we talk about 11 types of nuts that have shown to have an anti-cancer effect, making nuts a definite addition to our menu.

When we talk about healthy nutrition, we often stop on topics such as fats, carbohydrates and protein. However, the real building blocks of our tissues and organs are amino acids. They have many important functions within the body and in this article we will look closely into the connection between amino acids and our immune system, digestion, mood, sleep and aging.

Following on from part 1, in this article we will look into the risks of mental health and eating disorders, reduced protein absorption and thyroid issues while on a long-term vegan and vegetarian diet.

Today, we continue our journey as we search for the most healing, protective, and well-researched anti-cancer herbs and spices. We have covered another 10 herbs that you should have in your pantry or in your garden, and preferably use daily and rotate often for best effects.

Vegan and vegetarian diets have proved to be a life-saver for many who decided to move away from the typical Western diet that is full of processed foods, sugars and refined carbohydrates. This change works great in the short-term, but do the benefits continue if the diet is followed long-term?

We know that protein is an important part of a balanced diet and is well-researched, but what do we know about amino acids? The protein that we consume, both animal and plant-based, is made of amino acids. Amino acids are used by our body for many vital functions, such as building muscle, absorbing nutrients, and creating hormones and neurotransmitters.

With the increase in metabolic related diseases over the last decade, it might be a good time to look back in history and see our grandparents' eating habits, since for many of them reaching 90 years of age was a “walk in the park”. Does eating less frequently mean that we might actually be healthier for longer, and perhaps even extend our lifespan?

Nuts have been a staple in our diet since ancient times. They are a great source of fibre, protein and, of course, healthy fats. Such nutrient-dense food then must have health benefits, but can they also provide protection against diseases, tumours and cancers?

Vitamin B5 is one of the essential nutrients and has a very important function in forming red blood cells, converting food into energy and creating stress and sex hormones. However, it doesn’t get the attention it should considering its significance. This means that if we don’t know much about vitamin B5, how will we know if we are experiencing signs and symptoms of deficiency?

N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) has an important role in the production of glutathione. It can be taken as a supplement (NAC) or it can be obtained from foods (amino acid L-cysteine). The importance of glutathione as an antioxidant is due to the effects it has on metabolic pathways for mental and physical health, such as anti-cancer, cardiac, immunity, renal, and oxidative stress properties.

Fats are an essential part of the diet, and were one of the main energy sources in our early ancestors when carbohydrates from tubers and fruits were only seasonally available. However, with food processing and modern technology, we started consuming large amounts of saturated and trans fats which seem to be harmful to our health. To make informed decisions on our food, we need to understand the health risks of consuming ‘bad’ fats.