Breast Health

These suggestions are not intended to replace appropriate professional advice.  Please check labels and consult your pharmacist if you take medication.

A holistic approach to health requires a look at all areas of your life.  Make a few changes at a time.  Each positive change is a variable in your body’s favour that can improve the outcome. Breast cancer is one of the three most common cancers doctors see today.  Prevention is wisdom!

Breast cancer is one of the three common cancers doctors see today. Prevention is better than early detection! Cancer thrives in an acidic environment so achieving an alkaline system is foremost.

A Balanced Alkaline / Acid Diet

• Drink 7-10 filtered or spring water.  Chlorine destroy healthy gut bacteria.
  
  
• Create a diet that is 75-80% alkalizing with antioxidant rich vegetables, fruit, raw seeds, nuts, sprouted beans, legumes, and whole grains. Cruciferous veggies are especially valuable. 

• Organic soy tofu, tempeh, or miso 2-3 times per week provides anticarcinogenic protection.
  
  
• Cruciferous vegetables contain a compound, indole-3-carbinol, that helps maintain healthy hormone levels, as well as other anticarcinogenic compounds. 
  
  
• Animal products are a source of inflammatory arachidonic acid.  Eat sparingly. 
  
  
• Switch to organic food.  Pesticides and growth hormones are hormone interrupters.
  
  
• Eat complete protein no later than lunch for better assimilation of amino acids.
  
  
• Have 1-3 tbsp ground flax.  The lignans in flax slow the conversion of healthy hormones into pseudo hormones like dihydrotestosterone associated with inflammation. 
  
  
• Replace salt with Herbamare for all of the flavour and 1/3 the sodium.  Herbamare contains kelp, a natural source of iodine.  The two largest concentrations of iodine in the human body are the thyroid and breasts. Use seaweed in soups and salads.

• Have 2 tsp apple cider vinegar in water or as a condiment with meals. Promotes alkalinity.
  
  
• Cook gently.  High heat produces acrylamides & advanced glycation end products.

Basic Supplements - elevate nutrition from adequate to optimum

• Bio-Strath – B vitamins and essential nutrients. Improves digestion & stress tolerance.
  
  
• Vitamin C – anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic. 
  
  
• Vitamin D  8,000 IU for one month then reduce to upper limit of 4,000 IU – researchers at the University of California estimate that 350,000 cases of breast cancer in the US could be avoided with sufficient vitamin D.  And they’re in a much sunnier climate!
  
  
• Omega-3 fatty acids – modulate inflammation.
  
  
• Magnesium – a common deficiency that has more than 300 biochemical functions.
  
  
• Probiotics – intermittent use to balance pH and build a healthy microbiome.
  
  
• Astaxanthin is one of the most powerful antioxidants known.  It protects cells at every level from oxidation and free radical damage. 

Healthy Lifestyle Choices

• Take enough vitamin c and magnesium to keep bowels moving easily. The famous natural health pioneer Normal Walker is well known for saying 'Death begins in the colon"

• Avoid antiperspirants containing aluminum, parabens, and other hormone interrupters.  These compounds have been found in breast tissue removed nearest the armpit.

• Replace personal items that contain unsafe compounds. The EWG website is a great resource for product and ingredient reviews.
  
  
• Eliminate single use plastics such as water bottles and cans that contain BPA.
  
  
• Avoid alcohol.  Even moderate consumption is associated with an increased risk of cancer.
  
  
• Wear clothing that breathes.  Tight bras and clothing impede waste drainage from breast tissue into the lymphatic system.  In studies women who wear their bras for long periods of time (12 hours or more) increase their risk of cancer.
  
  
• The lymphatic system drains and carries waste from every cell of the body.  Dry body brush a few times a week to encourage flow and improve circulation.
  
  
• Flor-Essence is an Ojibwa healing tea that several customers and staff use regularly for detoxification and hormone balance. 

• Exercise makes you feel great, increases lymphatic drainage, optimizes weight, balances hormones, oxygenates your blood, and clears stored lactic acid and CO2.  Any movement is good, moderate is better, and outdoors is best!  Breathe deeply, exhale thoroughly.

• The quickest way to achieve alkalinity is a modified fast (i.e. the Master Cleanse), juice fast, or a mono-diet of fresh fruit and veggies. A daily “greens” drink or a cleanse can also be very helpful if someone does not feel up to a fast.  Water fasting or modified fasting if in poor health should be done under the supervision of a qualified natural health care professional.

• If you are urine testing, monitor and make adjustments until you are consistently in the optimum pH range of 6.5-7.4.  Testing first thing in the morning is best.
  
  
• Emotions play an important part in balancing the chemistry of the body.  Journaling can help you stay in touch with your inner world fostering a healthy emotional steadiness.

Many people find when they adopt these suggestions, their health improves on multiple levels. Life is such a gift, and you are meant to be healthy and happy!

*Revised December 2024