A cancer diagnosis can be devastating, but cancer survivors can attest it doesn’t have to be. Here are five strategies to help aging adults bolster their health while priming their bodies to stand up to this invasive disease.
1. Reduce Refined Sugar Intake
Cancer feeds on refined sugar, which means your elderly loved one should make an effort to minimize the amount of refined sugar he or she consumes. Try sweetening your loved one’s beverages with an all-natural substitute like honey, agave, or xylitol.
Also, be mindful that refined grains, such as those found in store-bought breads, crackers, and breakfast cereals, will quickly convert into sugar inside the body. Serve your loved one steel-cut oats and ancient grains like quinoa instead. These foods can keep your loved one sated without adversely affecting his or her fight against cancer.
Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality in-home care. Trust Home Care Assistance to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably.
2. Get Essential Nutrients from Natural Sources
Flooding the body with nutrients is one of the most common natural strategies for killing cancer cells. However, it’s important to note the human body doesn’t readily absorb all supplements. In fact, many supplements pass through the digestive system unused, and some even have cancer-causing properties.
If your loved one wants to stand up to cancer through the power of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, make sure he or she gets these nutrients directly from their sources. Cancer-fighting nutrients are the freshest, most potent, and easiest for the body to process if they come directly from plant sources. If constantly munching on fresh fruits and vegetables sounds like a chore to your loved one, he or she should invest in a juicer.
A home caregiver can help your loved one plan and prepare healthy meals. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Barrie senior care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
3. Limit Animal Protein Consumption
Cancer rates tend to be highest among populations that consume excess amounts of animal protein. Many experts on senior nutrition believe implementing a primarily plant-based diet is one of the best ways to stave off cancer.
Encourage your loved one to limit his or her intake of dairy products and meat while making plants the basis of each meal. These efforts can also boost your loved one’s energy while regulating and cleaning his or her digestive system.
4. Stay Positive
The surest way to weaken the immune system is by wallowing in depression. Help your loved one stay as positive as possible, and encourage spending time visualizing his or her body fighting and winning the battle against cancer. Efforts like these have been shown to have a stunning impact on immune system functioning.
5. Minimize Exposure to Toxins
Give your loved one’s body its best chance at fighting cancer by limiting his or her exposure to environmental toxins. Your loved one should stop using pesticides in and around the home or garden and start using green cleaning products and other eco-friendly solutions. If possible, your loved one can pay a bit more for organically grown foods and invest in a top-rated whole house water purification system.
If your loved one needs help adopting healthy habits to stand up to cancer and other serious conditions, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Barrie, ON, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. Trust Home Care Assistance to provide high-quality compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at 647-970-3803.