It’s been a few months since the death of beloved game show host-Alex Trebeck,
and his battle against pancreatic cancer should be a reminder that it’s not just
prostate, breast or lung cancer that we should be consumed with.

The pancreas creates enzymes that break down food and absorb nutrients,
plus it releases hormones that steady blood sugar, control appetite and keep
energy levels high.

So, it’s vitally important to make sure you take great care of your pancreas,
and if you’re not sure how, just look below.

a) R & R-
Rest and relaxation for those who aren’t familiar with the two initials.
Spending time outdoors under the Sun (without sunscreen) reading,
watching birds or walking can reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer
by as much as 40%. Exposing your skin to UV light prompts your skin
to release vitamin D-3, a nutrient that encourages pancreatic cells to
grow and divide normally.
Unable to get outside? Talk to your healthcare provider about taking
a vitamin D-3 supplement. (recommended dose: 2,000 to 3,000 IUs per day).

b) Brush and Floss-
Everyday there’s more info on the importance of brushing and flossing
one’s teeth. Researchers say keeping teeth and gums in tiptop shape
can not only keep heart disease at bay, it can reduce your risk of pancreatic
cancer by 35%. Researchers say dental care sweeps away harmful bacteria
before they can spread through your bloodstream and damage your pancreas.

c) Quit Smoking Today-
Another reminder that it’s not only bad for your lungs, it also raises your risk of
getting pancreatic cancer. Researchers say it’s not the nicotine that causes
the problems, it’s the tar and other compounds in cigarettes that do the damage.
Is this enough incentive to help you quit?
Look into programs online, patches or gum.

d) Go Italian-
As in red tomatoes. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a compound that gives
foods like tomatoes, watermelon, guavas and red grapefruit their vibrant color,
and it also stops the growth of precancerous cells in the pancreas.
Cooking tomatoes helps breaks down cells in the tomatoes, which means
you’ll absorb more of the lycopene.
So, to get more protection against pancreatic cancer, drink some low-sodium
tomato juice or eat a bowl of homemade tomato soup or the following slow-cooked
short beef ribs meal.

e) The Truth About Meat and Pancreatic Cancer-
The following recipe contains ingredients like onions, garlic, mushrooms, tomatoes,
and beef ribs. And if you’re concerned about beef raising your risk of getting cancer,
put those fears to rest. Researchers say meats like pastrami, bacon, bologna, hot dogs
and spam can increase your risk, but there’s no evidence that beef raises your risk.
They also say that cooking beef, chicken, or even salmon at high temperatures (on a grill)
is the real culprit. When meat is blackened, chemicals that boost cancer risk are formed.
So, go ahead and have that burger, steak or chicken thigh, just make sure to lower the
temperature.

f) A Slow-Cooker Recipe-
The Recipe: Slow-Cooked Short Beef Ribs with Tomatoes and Red Wine!
Ingredients:
3 to 4 pounds of short beef ribs
they should measure about 2.5 inches across and make sure they’re
not cut too thinly. These types of ribs are best for grilling.
1 tsp. of salt
1 tsp. of black pepper
1 tsp. of turmeric
Olive oil- Optional
1 large onion (chopped)
4 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 1/2 cups of white button mushrooms
2 cup of red wine (Pinot Noir or Merlot)
buy whatever you can afford
Beef Broth (make your own) but if you have to buy it,
make it low-sodium 1 can 15 or 16 oz.
1 can of plum or stewed tomatoes, 16 oz.
1/2 tsp. of each rosemary, marjoram, thyme and oregano
and 2 bay leaves.
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To make:
If you enjoy a smoky flavored rib, then you may want to brown the ribs
before adding them to the slow cooker. To do: Heat up some olive oil in a
skillet and brown the ribs (meaty part only), you may have to do this in batches.
If you’re okay with the ribs as they are, avoid doing this.
After that, start filling the slow cooker, add the ribs, tomatoes, wine, beef broth,
bay leaves, mushrooms, onion, garlic and turmeric.
Turn the slow-cooker to high, leave alone for one hour and then turn down the heat
to medium or low and leave it alone for 6 to 8 hours. At the sixth or seventh
hour, add the herbs. Cook for another hour, turn off the slow-cooker, and
place the short-beef ribs, mushrooms, and tomatoes on 4 or 5 separate medium-
sized bowls. Serve over mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower (potatoes)
along with a green salad, some crusty bread and a glass of wine.
Important tip: make sure to remove the bay leaves, so no one accidentally eats them.

g) Some Info About The Ingredients:
And lastly, here’s some info on how some of the ingredients in this
tasty dish protects you against cancer.
* Mushrooms- boosts immunity and helps stop the growth
and spread of cancer cells.
* Herbs and Spices- Turmeric, bay leaves, marjoram, thyme
and rosemary decrease free radical formation, suppress cell division
and regulate inflammation.
* Garlic and Onions- Along with scallions and leeks contain
certain compounds (called flavanols) that hinder the development
of cancer cells.

Sources:
* Cancer Epidemiology
* The Journal of Nutrition
* University of Missouri
* Harvard University Research Dept.
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