Diet and Natural Foods to Have Healthy Breasts
It is a dream for very women to have healthy breast along with a healthy body. Healthy and well shaped breasts not only form an integral part of the beauty of women but also a medium to nourish the new born after attaining motherhood. With the rising incidences of breast cancer it has compelled almost every woman to take special care in maintaining healthy breasts and avert the risk of cancer. Though women have become more conscious about this dreadful disease, still there are many who do some things that are unhealthy for breasts. Statistics reveal that 30-50% of breast cancers can be avoided by following the right kind of diet and regular physical regime. Also by avoiding some damaging life styles it is easy to maintain well shaped and healthy breasts.
Diet - Diet is very important in maintaining the good health of the breasts. Colored fruits like orange, banana, citruses, carrots and green vegetables are rich in vitamins and anti oxidants that prevent cancer and also slow down the aging process.
Avoiding carbohydrate rich foods and processed foods are good for healthy breasts.
Healthy fats like omega-3-fatty acids, nuts, avocados and coconut oil are essential for healthy breasts. Bran, porridges made from whole grains are rich in fibers that are beneficial for the female hormones.
Green and white tea is rich in anti oxidants and drinking 4-5 cups a day helps to maintain healthy breasts.
Xenoestrogen substances are chemical pollutants that must be avoided as they are the prime causes of breast cancer. They react with the estrogen hormone resulting in the under functioning of the hormonal system. The sources are pesticide loaded products, plastics, household detergents, commercial meat and diary products and poisoning effects of lead and mercury. Their effects can be encountered by consuming cabbages, broccoli, sprouts, kale that are rich in anti oxidants.
Too much smoking and drinking caffeine products must be avoided as they produce numerous free radicals that destroy the normal cells
Natural foods can fight carcinogens; fruits like cherries, grapes are rich in Ellagic acid that reduces the chances of breast cancer. These fruits also contain bioflavonoid that prevents the production of cancer cells. Chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plants prevents the damage of DNA of the cells. Food rich in beta carotene like carrots, pumpkins prevents cancer.
Breast massage can be highly beneficial to maintain healthy breasts. Studies show that the breast tissues can store lots of chemical wastes that are harmful for the body. Careful massaging of the breasts helps in flushing out the harmful toxins and wastes through the lymphatic system and restores the nutrients in the tissue.
Regular check ups of the breast after menopause through mammography or thermography must be done to ensure good health of the breasts. Thermography is preferred as the X-rays in mammograms may prove harmful to the breasts.
5 Tips For Ensuring Healthy Breasts and Preventing Breast Cancer
Did you know that 30%-50% of breast cancer could be prevented with a healthy diet and getting regular exercise? Sounds too simple to be true, I know. But the human body is amazing when it comes to taking care of itself. Good nutrition is important but you also need to avoid xenoestrogens which are toxic to your body. Follow these tips below and you'll have healthy breasts and you'll be taking a proactive role in preventing breast cancer.
1 - Focus on Good Nutrition
- Avoid simple carbohydrates and processed oils (hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oil).
- Choose fresh natural foods, not canned and processed foods.
- Choose organic, it's been proven to have more vitamins and minerals.
Choose good healthy fats. Our body requires good fat to function properly. Too many people eat processed vegetable oil or partially and hydrogenated oil which are harmful to the body.
-Omega 3 essential fatty acids (from ocean fish)
- Nuts
- Avocados
- Coconut oil
- Even butter and cream as long as it's from organic, grass fed cows
Choose good protein sources. If your vegetarian it's important that you get some form of protein from beans, tofu or nuts. If you're a meat eater, follow the guidelines below:
- When choosing meat, buy organic, from grass fed animals (it's more lean and healthier)
- Don't overcook proteins, (but do cook to a safe temperature for the type of meat, a medium rare steak is alright, but you wouldn't eat your chicken that way)
2 - Avoid Xenoestrogen Substances
Xenoestrogen substances are a major cause of breast cancer and other female health problems. They are chemical compounds from environmental pollutants. They mimic estrogen and attach to your estrogen receptor sites and cause the endocrine system to dysfunction.
Xenoestrogen Sources
- Commercial meat and dairy products
- Pesticide residues on commercial produce
- Soft plastics
- Microwave cooking in plastic
- Laundry detergents and household cleaning products
- Heavy metals like lead and mercury
Counteracting Xenoestrogen Substances
- Consume more foods like broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and turnips. Or take a good supplement that's capable of getting rid of xenoestrogens
- Detox your liver with foods like garlic, onions, cabbage and cauliflower. Or detoxify with supplements or a cleanse designed for removing environmental toxins from the body.
3 - Use Natural Foods As Prevention Remedies
There are lots of nutritious foods that promote good breast health and prevent breast cancer. The trick is to actually eat them. If you can't get the nutrients from your foods, then supplementing might be a good
option for you, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer.
Ellagic Acid is known for stopping carcinogens from intiating cancer cell growth and is found in in cherries, grapes, walnuts, raspberries, strawberries and pomegranates.
Bioflavonoids detoxify harmful estrogens and help prevent the production of cancer cells.
They are found in found in citrus, grapes, onions and buckwheat.
Lignans prevent the growth of tumors and are found in nuts and seeds, especially flax seed.
Beta carotene naturally protects against cancer and can be found in foods like beans, carrots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, winter squash, yams, broccoli, brussel sprouts, spinach and sweet potatoes.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin provide cancer fighting benefits for pre-menopausal women and women with a family history of breast cancer. The best food sources are found in collard greens, spinach, kale, corn and most yellow vegetables.
Lycopene helps eliminate free radicals from cigarette smoke and can be found in tomatoes, carrots, guava, ruby red grapefruit and watermelon.
Catechins have a powerful antioxidant effect and are found in black and green tea.
Chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plants, prevents damage to the DNA in cells which occurs when normal cells transform into cancerous cells.
4 - Be Positive and Reduce Stress
We know the damage that stress causes to our body so controlling stress is always a good thing. But having a positive attitude can be very helpful in controlling our health too. Learn to pamper yourself to reduce stress.
- Take a walk in nature
- Get a massage
- Garden
- Listen to good music
- Take a bubble bath or soak in hot tub
Breast Massage
Regular breast massage helps to improve circulation and lymph drainage, it decreases symptoms of PMS, menopause and menstrual cramps, and decreases the discomfort from pregnancy and breast feeding. I have a link to an instructional video on my website. Getting trapped lymph fluid to move is good for healthy breasts and can alleviate pain and tenderness. You may eventually eliminate lumps if done regularly.
5 - Switch from Mammography to Thermography
Avoid mammograms and consider thermography instead. I know this sounds a bit radical. But do some research on mammograms vs. thermograms. Thermography can detect abnormalities at the cellular level which could be 10 years before you might otherwise notice them and there is no harm done to sensitive breast tissue.
Mammogram x-rays increase your risk of cancer. A typical mammogram of both breasts will expose you to 2,720 RADs (Radiation Absorbed Dose) that's 8 pictures at 340 RADS each. And they encourage us to get a mammogram every year. The non-direct natural radiation that we as humans absorb every year is only 300 RADs. There are times when x-rays are necessary, but if there is a safer and effective alternative to routine yearly mammograms, why not check it out?
There is lots of money raised every year in support of finding a cure for breast cancer, which is great. But I wish there was more of a focus on educating women on how to prevent breast cancer. Because it all boils down to good nutrition and making healthy choices. By adopting these lifestyle changes in our life, we'd not only prevent breast cancer, but we would prevent all kinds of other illnesses and diseases as well.
