Diet and Prevention

A Healthy Lifestyle is Essential For Battling Cancer

It has been estimated by the World Cancer Research Fund that one-quarter to one-third of the cancers that occur in the United States are due to poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and excess weight. This research supports the Stram Center's belief that embracing a healthy lifestyle is essential for anyone whose life is unfortunately touched with cancer. A healthy lifestyle can be defined by diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep.

Follow the recommendations and recipes below to optimize your health for cancer prevention, treatment, and survival.

1. Minimize pro-inflammatory foods

2. Boost your immune system

3. Promote a stable blood sugar

4. Balance your hormonal risk

5. Maximize the nutrient density of your diet: antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals- kale salad

6. Embrace all aspects of a healthy lifestyle

7. Pick your battles

Plant-based foods are rich in protective compounds including antioxidants/phytochemicals, which help boost the immune system and fight off cancer. Plant based foods are also rich in dietary fiber, which helps keep the bowels healthy, as well as help to grab onto and pull out excess hormones, cholesterol, drug metabolites, toxins, etc. Antioxidants, phytochemicals, and dietary fibers are a huge part of protecting against and fighting cancer in the body. These compounds are only found in plants, which mean the animal based foods are lacking in these protective compounds. Make dietary changes at your pace, but always work towards including as many plant based foods as possible to optimize your health for cancer prevention, treatment, and survival. See the following blog post for a tasty fall friendly anti-cancer recipe.

VAP Testing: Reduce Your Cardiovascular Risk

Introducing VAP for the most comprehensive Cardiovascular blood test available.

Plant-Based Paleo Diet

A new diet focus is that of a paleo diet. There is a large variation in interrpretation of what a paleo diet should consist of. Read below to discover what we at the Stram Medical Center feel is the best approach for a paleo diet.

Which diet is right for you?

Many people wonder which diet is best for them based on what they are told be friends, a healthcare provider, what they hear on TV, what they read on the internet, or what is suggested by a loved one. Here at the Stram Center we recommend a variety of diets for our patients depending on their individual needs. Read below for an explanation of the dietary approach of the Stram Center! Also learn about the pros and cons of the most common diets recommended to our patients.

New One-on-One/ Hands-on Cooking Classes

Let Eric Sharer, MPH, RD, CSO, CDN teach you how to meet your unique nutritional needs with personal cooking and nutritional instruction.

What Is Integrative Oncology?

Integrative Oncology focuses on nutritional, herbal, and mind-body therapies that can complement standard cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation in order to strengthen the immune system, minimize side effects, and improve quality of life, encouraging the best overall outcome.

Fight Inflammation With Gardenias (or Zhi Zi)

Gardenias or "Zhi Zi" are a popular herb used to reduce inflammation.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Enjoy the nutritious and delicious summer bounty with this amazing salad. Eat in season and try to eat as local as possible when choosing your produce to ensure the most intact nutrients and fresh produce. Alter this recipe with whatever produce you have present, such as using different greens, different berries, or adding in your favorite garden produce.

Heart Disease: A Preventative Approach

Heart Disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States. Find out your cardiac risk with a simple test (and its not cholesterol)!

Soy, Almond, or Coconut Berry Yogurt

Research has shown that diet can play a big role in men’s health. Numerous studies have found that diets high in saturated fat such as animal protein, poultry, and various dairy products, and low in dietary fiber, can increase risk of various diseases and disorders such as heart disease, Erectile dysfunction, various cancers including colorectal and prostate cancer, and diabetes. Several studies also have found a link between dairy consumption and increased risk of prostate cancer. In recognition of Men’s Health Month, try this delicious non-dairy yogurt recipe which is rich in dietary fiber, dairy free, and low in saturated fat if you do not use the coconut milk yogurt. Enjoy this for breakfast by adding fiber rich foods such as ground flaxseed or your favorite nuts/seeds.