Cervical Cancer Prevention: HPV Diet
Posted by Lynne Eldridge MD at 6/22/2007 4:00 AM 
Categories: Cervical Cancer Prevention, Nutrition, hpv, cervical cancer prevention diet, cancer prevention diet
Categories: Cervical Cancer Prevention, Nutrition, hpv, cervical cancer prevention diet, cancer prevention diet
The HPV vaccine may offer a method of preventing cervical cancer, but what about those that have already been infected with high-risk strains of HPV? What about those over the age of 26, for whom the vaccine is not approved? What about those aged 11 to 26 who receive the vaccine, but are infected with the cancer-causing strains of HPV not covered by the vaccine?
Unfortunately, the controversy over the vaccine has pushed information about other preventative measures to the sidelines. What are these measures?
First of course, is having regular Pap smears and following up on any abnormalities. Pap smears can save lives.
Secondly, try to incorporate foods into your Diet that have been shown to help clear the HPV virus from your body. The HPV virus causes cancer by the inflammation caused by persistent infection. Phytochemicals and vitamins that have been shown to hasten clearance in reputable studies and foods that contain them include:
Lutein/zeaxanthin - spinach, kale, turnips, mustard and collard greens
Beta-cryptoxanthin - papaya, pumpkins, red peppers, tangerines
Vitamin C - oranges, grapefruit, peaches
Vitamin A - carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, spinach
Lycopene - tomato products (especially sauces), watermelon
Thirdly, though it is less convenient, consider using sanitary napkins instead of tampons. In one study, using tampons slowed the clearance of the HPV virus.
For further information on HPV and cervical cancer, go to www.avoidcancernow.com and check out the excerpt on infection and cancer (Chapter five).
Im glad to see someone talking about some ways to help prevent outbreaks and foods to stay healthy. This vaccine is getting all this attention because of just how many people have this disease.
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I was just diagnosed with atypical
cells and HPV.
I always eat lots of fruits and vegetables and I need to cut out all
the crap I cheat on, start excising more
and getting off this weight. I hope
this will help me.
I would like your comments please.
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Hi Carol,
First of all let me tell you that I am thrilled that you are looking at ways of eliminating HPV. I have seen many women do this and know it is possible!
I think diet is very helpful. I wrote down a few foods under the categories of foods containing the vitamins/phytochemicals that can help, but my list was limited to the top few. I will email you personally with more ideas! For our readers, I understand I need to make this more comprehensive and adaptable to our daily cooking!
Weight issues are dear to my heart, especially now living in a State where being overweight has surpassed smoking as the leading preventable cause of cancer. My friend Karen Koenig has perhaps the best approach I have ever seen for maintaining a healthy weight. She understands how and why dieting alone does not work. Her website is www.eatingnormal.com
A lot of research has been done that we simply do not hear about since diet and lifestyle are not backed like a medication would be.
Blessings,
Lynne
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Hi Lynne,
I was wondering if you could e-mail me the other foods or vitamins that can assist with HPV clearance as well?? Thank you so much!!!
Best,
Lisa
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