Grate a little lemon zest into your tea for an extra dose of skin cancer protection.
The zest of lemon, orange, and grapefruit peels is high in d-limonene, a compound in citrus oil that may significantly reduce the risk of skin cancer by blocking tumor growth. Add grated citrus peel to hot tea, desserts, and salads for an extra dose of this cancer-fighting flavoring.
Squamous cell carcinoma affects about 200,000 people in the United States each year. D-limonene found in the oil of citrus peels may have properties that help to inhibit squamous cell carcinoma development. However, diet alone is not enough to ward off skin cancer. Avoid direct sun exposure between 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. Also, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 (or 30 if you are sun sensitive) every day to help protect your skin. Get periodic skin cancer screenings from your healthcare provider to help spot and treat early signs of skin disease.
Citrus peel use is associated with reduced risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Hakim, I. A., Harris, R. B., Ritenbaugh, C.,
Nutrition and Cancer 2000;37(2):161-168.
Skin cancer chemoprevention: strategies to save our skin. Einspahr, J. G., Bowden, G. T., Alberts, D. S.,
Recent Results in Cancer Research 2003;163:151-164; discussion 264-266.
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