rots; and tomatoes. Steam the vegetables or eat them raw to best preserve their cancer-fighting nutrients. Superstar fruits include citrus, berries and cherries.
The Magic of Mushrooms Regularly include medicinal mushrooms at mealtime, espe- cially the Japanese varieties maitake and shiitake. Studies have shown that maitake mushrooms, in particular, stimu- late immune function and also inhibit tumor growth. In a study of more than 2,000 Chinese women, those who ate the most fresh mushrooms (10 grams or more a day) proved about two-thirds less likely to develop breast cancer than non-consumers.
Limit the Alcohol
A study of more than a million women by Oxford Univer- sity scientists indicates a clear link between drinking even moderate amounts of wine and breast cancer. A Harvard Nurses’ Health study has shown that consuming more than one alcoholic beverage a day can increase breast cancer risk by as much as 20 to 25 percent.
Cut the Fat
Ann Kulze, a medical doctor and author of Dr. Ann’s 10-Step Diet, says women should minimize consumption of omega-6 and saturated fats, avoid trans fats, and maximize intake of omega-3 fats, especially from oily fish such as tuna, salmon, sardines and mackerel. Kulze suggests that women consume
Making such conscious daily life choices pays off today and in many tomorrows.
Beth Davis is a contributing writer to Natural Awakenings magazines.
monounsaturated fats like olive oil, as well as nuts and seeds; the latter also provide selenium, an important mineral in can- cer protection, according to the British Journal of Cancer.
Cut Chemical Exposure Certain chemicals, many of which are found in plastic, appear to interfere with the body’s hormonal balance and could harm breast tissue. To reduce exposure to chemicals such as Biphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, Marissa Weiss, a physician and president of
BreastCancer.org, recommends using products that are made from glass, ceramic or stainless steel, instead.
Avoid Long-Term Hormone Therapy
The link between postmenopausal hormone therapy (PHT) and breast cancer has long been a subject of debate, and research results have been mixed. According to experts at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, it’s probably safe to take hormones for up to four to five years, although they recommend using the lowest dose possible. Of course, not using PHT to start with is a way to avoid raising this particular risk.
natural awakenings
October 2010
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