Leukemia is caused when the number of white blood cells in your body increase. It is categorized as a type of blood cancer. When you have leukemia, white blood cells outweigh the red blood cells and platelets found in your body. The white blood cells don’t function well, either. There are various types of leukemia. There are prevention methods that can reduce the risk of leukemia. Here are some effective tips to prevent leukemia.

Eat a healthy diet
Diet can help prevent leukemia. A European study in 2018 found that people who ate a Western diet were 60% more likely to develop CLL when compared to people who ate Mediterranean and Prudent diets. In a Prudent diet, you eat fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, juice, and whole grams. In the Mediterranean diet, you eat olive oil, potatoes, fish, fruits, legumes, poultry, and whole grains. Eating a healthy diet can help your overall health and increase immunity.

Keep plants in your house
Chemicals can raise the risk of leukemia. One of the helpful tips to prevent leukemia is to keep houseplants. These help improve the air quality of your home as they absorb indoor carcinogens present in the air. NASA found that for removing benzene spider plants, Gerbera daisies, and peace lilies are helpful. Rubber plants, golden pathos, Boston ferns, philodendron, and English ivy are good for formaldehyde. Other houseplants that are beneficial include marginata and ficus.

Maintain a healthy weight
Many studies point to the relationship between weight and leukemia. People who are obese have a 17% higher risk of leukemia. Studies found that if you are obese or overweight, then the risk of AML increases by 38%, the risk of CML increases by 27%, and the risk of ALL increases by 62%. If you are overweight or obese, then you should work to reduce your weight. You should make changes to your diet and exercise so you can get to a healthy weight.

Exercise
Exercising is one of the vital tips to prevent leukemia. In 2016, researchers found that an increase in exercise helped lower the risk of myeloid leukemias by 20%. Although more research is required, experts advise that exercising regularly can help you keep safe from conditions that cause leukemia. If you don’t exercise, then consult your doctor and create an exercise plan that suits your lifestyle.

Practice safe sex
The HTLV-1 virus, which is short for human T-cell leukemia virus 1, infects the T lymphocytes. This virus can increase the risk of developing leukemia. HTLV-1 is not very common in the country, but it is still better to stay safe. HTLV-1 virus can easily spread when you have sex, and so you should use protection when you have sex to prevent leukemia. 

Quit smoking
One of the top tips to prevent leukemia is to quit smoking. Tobacco smoke contains various chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene. These chemicals easily get into the bloodstream, and this can increase the risk of leukemia. Smoking during pregnancy and exposure to secondhand smoke can increase the risk of leukemia in children. You should quit smoking or avoid smoking when children or pregnant women are close by.

Avoid sucralose
Sucralose is one of the most common ingredients that is found in various products sold across the globe. An Italian study published in 2016 found that mice that were exposed to sucralose developed a higher risk of leukemia. More research is being conducted to determine whether it affects humans similarly. However, sucralose reduces good bacteria found in your gut, and this can increase your risk of leukemia. It is best to avoid products that have sucralose in them.