by Richard Béliveau, Ph. D. and Denis Gingras, Ph. D.
McClelland & Stewart, 208 pages, $29.99
Quebec biochemist Dr. Richard Béliveau's research into the science of cancer-fighting properties of food has propelled him into writing a Quebec bestseller, a book currently available in 26 languages and 29 countries. Béliveau, a popular featured speaker at numerous events, is currently Chair in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer at the University of Quebec at Montreal and director of the Molecular Medicine Laboratory of the UQAM-Sainte-Justine Hospital. Dr. Denis Gingras is a researcher in this laboratory.
Foods To Fight Cancer offers straightforward charts, graphs, and illustrations to assist the reader in understanding the disease, including an introduction into the biochemical origins of cancer. In a discussion of the risk factors for cancer, including smoking, heredity, and the environment, Béliveau argues that poor dietary habits are responsible for 30 percent of cancers, citing higher cancer rates in Western countries—specifically North America—as compared to the East. Since diet is something we can control, he urges us to make a concerted effort to choose and prepare those foods that have been shown to possess cancer-fighting compounds, particularly those in the plant family.
The second part of the book presents cancer-fighting foods containing high levels of phytochemicals, considered nutraceuticals, "... defined as any food (fruit, vegetable, beverage, or product of fermentation) that contains a large quantity of one or more molecules with anti-cancer potential." These include omega-3 fats, tomatoes, soy, cabbage, garlic, green tea, turmeric, citrus fruit, red wine and chocolate. It is Dr. Béliveau's conviction that foods, not bottled supplements, should provide our nutrients.
Along with healthy dietary choices, changes in lifestyle are necessary to combat cancer. These changes include lowering caloric intake, exercising, reducing consumption of red meat, quitting smoking and avoiding foods that contain possible cancer-causing substances such as nitrates.
Note: Drs. Béliveau and Gingras, wanting to help readers incorporate cancer-fighting foods into their daily food planning, have compiled easy and delicious recipes from professional chefs in a companion book, Cooking with Foods That Fight Cancer.
Chris Kupka