While regulations prohibit us from discussing how the supplements we manufacture may impact cancer, we can share science-backed lifestyle habits that support overall health—and, in many cases, may help reduce the risk of cancer. These same habits are also beneficial for individuals navigating a cancer diagnosis.
Here are seven impactful tips to consider incorporating into your lifestyle today:
1. Eat Consciously
With so much conflicting nutrition advice online, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. A helpful way to cut through the noise? Take a cue from Michael Pollan, professor of science journalism at UC Berkeley, who famously said:
“Never get your fuel from the same place your car does.”
“If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t.”
This philosophy promotes a return to minimally processed, whole foods—an approach that naturally increases nutrient density and decreases exposure to potentially harmful additives and GMOs.
Common GMO ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, soybean oil, and vegetable oil can harm gut health, disrupt the microbiome, and increase inflammation—factors linked to chronic diseases, including cancer (1).
Tips:
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Cook at home as often as possible.
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Choose organic produce and hormone-free, pasture-raised meats.
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Opt for nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, healthy fats, and antioxidant-rich herbs and spices.
Grass-fed meats, for example, are higher in Vitamins A and E, and antioxidants like glutathione (2)—compounds that help protect cells from oxidative stress.
2. Avoid Environmental Toxins
Environmental toxins—from air pollutants to chemicals in personal care products—can accumulate in the body and disrupt critical biological systems. According to David Roberts, co-founder of The Mara Labs and a Johns Hopkins-trained public health expert, tens of thousands of chemicals have entered the market since WWII, many without proper safety testing.
Some of the most common exposure points include:
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Personal care products (e.g., aluminum in deodorants, triclosan in soaps)
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Sunscreens that inhibit natural Vitamin D synthesis
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Fluoride in drinking water, which has been linked to neurodevelopmental effects (3)
Actionable step: Use resources like the EWG’s Skin Deep® database to find clean, non-toxic products. Also, consider installing a reverse osmosis water filter to reduce your intake of heavy metals and chemicals.
3. Incorporate Fasting
Fasting is more than a wellness trend—it’s a biologically programmed process that allows the body to clean house. During periods without food, the body activates autophagy and mitophagy: mechanisms that clear out damaged cells and mitochondria, potentially reducing the development of precancerous cells (4).
Because cancer cells struggle to survive under metabolic stress, fasting may help the body eliminate them before they become problematic.
Consider:
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Circadian fasting (e.g., eating within a daylight window)
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Intermittent fasting (e.g., 16:8 schedule)
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Water fasting under professional guidance (learn more in David Roberts' article here)
4. Prioritize Exercise
I've listed this fourth, but it's perhaps the most important. As the saying goes, excercise is king, nutrition is queen. Together you have a kingdom. Exercise benefits extend far beyond aesthetics. Regular movement initiates hormesis—a process where mild stressors activate the body’s repair systems. This includes a surge in autophagy, similar to fasting, which helps clear out damaged or dysfunctional cells.
Health benefits include:
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Improved body composition
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Stronger immune and cardiovascular systems
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Enhanced mental clarity and resilience
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Better sleep and energy levels
Start small: just 15 minutes a day of walking, biking, or yoga. Over time, increase intensity with weightlifting or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to boost results (5).
5. Reconnect with Sunlight
Our modern indoor lifestyles have distanced us from one of nature’s most powerful healing tools: the sun.
Sunlight supports Vitamin D production, which plays a key role in immune function and disease prevention. Studies show that optimal Vitamin D levels are associated with reduced risk of several cancers, including breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancer (6).
Aim for safe, daily sun exposure—especially in the early morning. Ancient healing systems like heliotherapy emphasized the sun's therapeutic benefits long before science caught up. Learn more in our posts on circadian rhythm and natural light.
6. Understand Cancer as Disconnection
According to Dr. John Gildea, a longtime oncology researcher, cancer can be understood as a disease of disconnection. Cancer cells are the body’s most isolated, damaged, and unregulated cells. They resist normal repair mechanisms and thrive in a disrupted biological environment.
While chemotherapy can reduce tumor size, its impact on long-term survival is limited. One reason? Cancer stem cells, which grow slowly and often evade conventional treatment. Gildea notes that sulforaphane—a compound found in broccoli sprouts—is one of the few natural substances shown to target cancer stem cells.
This perspective shifts our focus from simply eliminating cells to restoring balance, communication, and integrity within the body.
7. Focus on Nutrient Density & Smart Supplementation
Over 90% of people are deficient in essential nutrients, which weakens immune defenses and increases the risk of chronic illness, including cancer (7).
Dr. Bruce Ames, a renowned nutritional scientist, has shown that even marginal nutrient deficiencies can contribute to DNA damage and disease development.
What to do:
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Incorporate nutrient-dense foods like eggs, organ meats, and colorful vegetables.
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Choose a high-quality multivitamin—ideally third-party tested, non-synthetic, and free of GMOs or fillers.
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If you have an MTHFR gene mutation, look for methylated B vitamins, which your body can more readily absorb.
8. Manage Stress to Protect Long-Term Health
Chronic stress isn’t just emotionally draining—it can have serious physical consequences. We tend to just shrug our shoulders and say “I’m just in a stressful quarter at work” or “this is just a stressful time with the kids - it will pass”. But when stress becomes a daily norm, it increases cortisol levels and inflammation, which can weaken the immune system, disrupt hormonal balance, impair digestion, and damage cellular health. Over time, this dysregulation can set the stage for various chronic diseases—including those linked to abnormal cell growth. It’s crucial to find ways to manage the stress we can’t avoid and avoid the stress that is not necessary.
Stress management practices like deep breathing, time in nature, restorative movement (like yoga), therapy, laughter, deep and healthy relationships, and prioritizing quality sleep can help lower cortisol levels and restore the body’s natural rhythm. Supporting your body’s stress response with targeted nutrients and lifestyle choices builds resilience and supports the terrain where health can thrive.
Final Thoughts
Cancer prevention isn’t about fear—it’s about empowerment. By making intentional, informed lifestyle choices, you support your body’s natural ability to thrive.
While we can’t make claims about supplements and cancer, we can champion choices that promote resilience, balance, and long-term well-being.
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