Foods associated with decreased cancer risk are commonly found in the complex carbohydrate group. It is estimated that more than one third of all cancer is related to diet. The link for some specific cancers is even stronger; 95% of colon cancer, which is second only to lung cancer in terms of cancers causing deaths, have a nutrition connection. 43 A review of 156 studies 40 revealed that in 128 of the studies, fruits and vegetables offered significant protection against cancer of the lung, colon, breast, cervix, esophagus, oral cavity, stomach, bladder, pancreas, and ovaries.



The food guide pyramid is useful for planning meals to lower the risk for cancer. Consumption of cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower, are thought to help prevent cancer of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Fruits and vegetables rich in betacarotene (vitamin A precursor) and other carotenes have been linked to a reduction in cancer of the ovaries, bladder, larynx, esophagus, and lung. Good sources of carotenes are carrots, spinach, tomatoes, apricots, peaches, and cantaloupes. Cancer of the stomach and esophagus is less common among people whose diets are rich in ascorbic acid, or vitamin C. Green and yellow vegetables and citrus fruits are excellent sources of this vitamin.

Scientists often cannot provide firm evidence about the cancer inhibiting qualities of a particular food. The interaction between food and disease is complex, and 20 to 40 years may be needed to determine a relationship between cancer and diet. People may mistakenly believe that if a little is good, a lot is much better. Some dietary practices that may help prevent cancer may lead to other toxic conditions if taken to the extreme. Therefore good judgment and moderation are important.

Adequate carbohydrate intake should attenuate increases in stress hormones, and thereby diminish changes in immune function as well. In a study involving marathon runners, a 6% carbohydrate fluid given before, during, and after 2.5 hours of running attenuated the rise in both cortisol and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios. Similar findings have also been noted in both cycling and running Furthermore, post-exercise monocytes and lymphocytes were higher in the placebo conditions, with lymphocytes falling from 1.5 to 3 hours post-exercise Further analysis of these results also show an elevated neutrophil! lymphocyte ratio in the placebo conditions for both modes of exercise as well as an increase in NK cell activity. As it may pertain to strength training, eccentric muscle activity is associated with a higher IL-6 response than concentric exercise B9 As with many factors related to exercise, these responses are related to intensity, volume, and duration of exercise. Thus, carbohydrate intake may affect immune parameters as well .