Every day presents several opportunities to make choices that positively affect our life. Stop waiting and start acting by using these 10 new tips that can help with breast cancer prevention and in optimizing your health.
Get Your Hormones in Order – Have your hormones tested and, if necessary, corrected using natural means such as botanical medicine, bio-identical hormones, diet and lifestyle.
Read Labels on Everything You Put on Your Skin – Carefully choose cosmetics and personal care products to avoid phthalates and parabens (these can mimic estrogen). Choose essential oils instead of chemical perfume or use none at all. Check out the Cosmetics Database on the Environmental Working Group website for more information on specific products. www.ewg.org
Store & Drink Water in Glass Containers – Plastic can leach bisphenol A (plastic #7) or phthalates that can also mimic estrogen. Avoid any containers with made with plastic #3 and #6. If you must use plastic containers (eg. for freezing) choose those that contain #1, 2, 4 or 5 as their composition is less toxic.
Detoxification – We are all exposed to varying degrees of toxic chemicals from the
environment so consider being tested for and investigating ways you can support your body’s natural detoxification mechanisms. Sweating, exercising, eating adequate fiber and taking certain supplements support the liver’s detoxification pathways.
Spice it up – Use herbs and spices such as turmeric, chili powder, lavender, mint and parsley. These all have potent anti-cancer compounds and taste great too. Vegetables from the Brassica family (broccoli, cauliflower, kale and especially broccoli sprouts) contain potent phytochemicals that are known to destroy breast cancer stem cells and modify your balance of healthy estrogen.
Sour Switcha – Use citrus fruit (lemons, lime, tangerines) as they contain compounds such as limonene which inhibit breast cancer cells. Just don’t use sugar to sweeten! Try it sour or use a bit of stevia. Drinking 1/4-1/2 lemon or lime squeezed into water first thing in the morning also kick starts liver function and aids in detoxification.
Vitamin D – Enjoy some sunlight or have your vitamin D levels tested. Breast cancer rates are highest among those with the lowest vitamin D status.
Stress and sugar both decrease immunity – Keep you immune system strong by eating, sleeping well, using appropriate botanical supplements and not taking life too seriously.
Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices – Drink less than 4 alcoholic beverages a week, quit smoking and aim for 8 servings of fruit and vegetables a day.
Be Grateful – Find something to be grateful for and actively choose to live a life of meaning, love and prayer. It is not important what your spiritual beliefs consist of as studies show that people who have an active spiritual life, live longer are healthier and happier than those who don’t.
Remember, every little thing helps and these simple tips will help your take control of your health and aid in breast cancer prevention.
If you need help achieving any of these goals, from hormonal testing, to quitting smoking, to a nutritional overhaul – Please book an appointment to come in and see Dr. Jordana Aziz, ND.
In health,
Dr. Jordana Aziz