  urlLink Healthy Lifestyle Can Lower Cancer Risk :  " 'Our study found that women who followed only one or none of the nine recommended diet and lifestyle guidelines developed by the American Institute for Cancer Research had a 35%  higher risk of developing cancer than women who practiced at least six of the recommendations, ' says researcher James Cerhan,  MD,  PhD,  an epidemiologist at the Mayo Clinic's Cancer Center.  These sporadic adherers were also 42%
 more likely to die from all types of cancer than those following most of the guidelines.  The nine guidelines to better ensure a cancer- free life are:  Not smoking Avoiding excess weight and limiting adult weight gain to no more than 11 pounds from age 18 ( they recommend having a maximum BMI ( a measure of body fat)  of less than 25)  Getting daily moderate exercise and a vigorous workout at least once a week Eating at least five servings of vegetables and fruits each day Eating at least 14 ounces -  about seven portions -  of whole grains,  cereals,  and other complex carbohydrates each day,  while limiting processed foods and refined sugar Limiting alcohol to one drink a day ( for women)
 Limiting red meat to no more than 3 ounces daily Limiting intake of fatty food,  particularly those of animal origin,  to no more than 30%  of total calories Limiting intake of salted foods and use of salt in cooking to less than 2, 400 milligrams of sodium daily 'Furthermore,  we estimate that if all the women in the study group had never smoked and followed a majority of the guidelines,  approximately 30%  of new cancers and cancer deaths could have been prevented or delayed, ' explains Cerhan.
