Breast Cancer Prevention through Diet
Posted October 09, 2011 in Fitness & Nutrition
In honor of October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to encourage women to take an active role in living a prevention-oriented lifestyle through diet to reduce their cancer risk.
In 2007, the most recent statistics available, over 200,000 women in the United States were diagnosed with breast cancer, and over 40,000 died from breast cancer. Over recent years, more and more attention has been given towards lifestyle and dietary factors contributing to breast cancer. Of course, no food or supplement is sufficient to completely prevent or treat breast cancer, and women should receive regular mammograms and consult with their physician, and take other lifestyle measures to improve breast health.
However, certain foods and supplements have been linked to reduced risk of breast cancer. Here are some guidelines for a breast cancer prevention oriented diet and lifestyle.
Don’t Eat Meat! – Red meat consumption is highly correlated with breast cancer. Try to limit or eliminate red meat from your diet, and consider eating vegetarian meals at least a few times per week for a boost of essential vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants.
Green is Gold – Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables such as kale, collared-greens, and brussel sprouts reduce the production of a certain kind of estrogen specifically linked to breast cancer development. These foods are also especially high in fiber, which is essential for waste elimination and removing toxins from the body. Eating a high-fiber diet of at least 30 grams or more can significantly reduce carcinogenic toxins in the body and lower breast cancer risk.
Tea Time – Green and white teas are both especially high in antioxidants, which have a protective effect against cancer. Some studies have shown that green tea can interfere with cancer cell receptors. Coffee has also recently been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
You say tomato… – The lycopene in tomatoes can reduce cancer risk by attacking free radicals, which are associated with cancer development.
Go Nuts! – The Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols in walnuts have all been shown to have cancer-fighting properties.
Bittersweet News – Contrary to the popular belief that “cancer loves sugar,” sugar in your diet does not cause cancer to develop. Starving your cells of sugar won’t kill or prevent cancer, but can deprive your healthy cells of energy. However, obesity, increased insulin levels and diabetes related to a high-sugar diet are all strong risk factors for cancer. A healthy diet and sufficient exercise will contribute to a healthy body weight and normal insulin levels, and thereby lower your cancer risk.
Rejuvalife is here to support you in living a disease-prevention and anti-aging lifestyle, to create the radiant health and vitality you have always wanted!