The Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) under the Department of Health (DoH) recently laid out nature’s best defense against cancer in celebration of Alternative Medicine month this November.

According to PITAHC, malignant neoplasms or cancer is increasing in the country and in the world as well.

In its official publication "Well-being," the PITAHC referred to the recent National Statistics Office (NSO) data stating that cancer is the second leading cause of death in the country.

The PITAHC said that vegetables are rich in fiber, anti-oxidants, and anticancer nutrients. The best cancer-fighting vegetables include beets, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, and squash.

According to experts, the deeper the color of the vegetable, the more phytochemicals (cancer-fighting agents) it contains.

"In these pigments lay 20,000 bioflavonoids and 800 carotenoids. These provide extraordinary antioxidant for the human body, plus immune stimulation to detect cancer cells," the PITAHC said.

They also mentioned cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli as unique sources of detoxifying and anticancer substances.

Onion and garlic are also said to be important sources of bioflavonoids that help revert a cancer cell back to a healthy cell.

Cold water fish such as tawilis, tamban, hasahasa, tambakol, and tuna are said to be loaded with anti-cancer fats and DHA which slow down the spread of cancer and stimulate immune functions.

The PITAHC also mentioned whole grains such as oats and rice as important sources of fiber that also help as a powerful anti-cancer agent.

Yogurt, with its lactobacillus bacteria, fortifies the body’s defense against infections and cancer.

Lastly, clean water helps the flow of nutrients into the cells and toxins out of the cells. This process dilutes impurities in the body.