Chapter seventeen - Nutraceuticals and functional food in cancer prevention and treatment

Abstract

Cancer is the second highest cause of death in most developed nations after cardiovascular disease. The global prevalence of cancer continues to climb due to the aging of the population and the rise in tumor-related behavior in developing nations. Over the past few decades, researchers have made progress in understanding how functional foods and nutraceuticals interact with cancer, particularly in terms of its prevention and treatment. Functional food and nutraceuticals are more than provide nutrition; they help to sustain health and decrease disease risks. In this chapter, functional foods and nutraceuticals are explained in terms of their role in cancer therapy as well as their therapeutic benefits. We discuss different types of cancer and also highlight different functional foods that can help prevent as well as treat various types of cancer. Besides serving as an informational reference for cancer researchers, this chapter will also benefit physicians and clinicians treating cancer.