Shitaro Matsuno writes:
Mrs. Yuki Masuda is 48-year-old native
Japanese housewife. Now she is approximately 15 kilos overweight. She worries
about developing breast cancer later in life. It is most important for
her to control her weight.
Mrs. Masuda has mainly five points to improve her diet. First, she eats
quite a bit of beef and pork. Animal meat consumption should be avoided
as much as possible, because it is fatty. High fatty diets have been clearly
linked with heart disease and colon cancer. Therefore, a low fat diet is
recommended.
Second, she cooks a lot of her food using coconut oil or margarine. Coconut
oil and margarine are also fatty. Dr. Willett's group suggests that oils
such as olive oil may actually be protective, so she should cook by using
olive oil instead of coconut oil or margarine. Third, she dislikes most
vegetables. She should eat fruits and vegetables as much as possible, because
these are plentiful sources of vitamins, minerals, biochemical compounds
and fiber ingredients. These may help to reduce cancer risk. For example,
a high fiber diet may help to prevent colon cancer, so she should eat more
high-fiber foods such as whole grain cereals, legumes, vegetables and fruits.
Fourth, she likes to eat desserts such as cakes and ice cream. These foods
also contain much fat and simple sugars. Simple sugars should be avoided.
Their consumption results in jumps in blood sugar with the body reacting
with insulin production and frequently hypoglycemia. To prevent these problems,
coarse-grained breads, wheat and bran cereals, raw and lightly steamed
vegetables, and fresh fruits should be taken. These are in the class of
complex carbohydrates.
Finally, she is a moderate drinker. She should limit consumption of alcoholic
beverages. Alcohol intake appears to increase risk for breast cancer.
In short, she should eat a low fat diet and also exercise much to maintain
a desirable body weight. If she improves her living, she would be able
to keep good health. Actually, one of the key points for Mrs. Masuda is
her way of thinking. I would like to help her on this point by suggesting
that she understand the importance of keeping on a desirable body weight.
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