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Breast Cancer--slowing down the chocolate


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I like to describe cancer and it's development like this I Love Lucy clip in the chocolate factory. Imagine that cancer cells are like the pieces of chocolate. We all make some from time to time and our body is made to efficiently irradicate them as these cells come along. Some of us due to genetic predispositions naturally produce a bit more chocolate pieces than some of the rest of us. Since we can't change our genetic make up (just yet...although science is working on that!), I like to discuss how we can slow down the speed of the conveyor belt or even the number of chocolates by our actions.

We all seem to be familiar with the tried and true ideas of diet and exercise but let's delve a little deeper in relationship to breast cancer specifically and also include some essential oils and/or herbs that can also be helpful. And let's discuss how we can make our bodies more efficient when handling cancer or to slow production of cancer cells.


Exercise

We need to get "the girls" moving as much as possible. Movement provides assistance to the lymphatic system that acts similarly to our waste drainage system. It quite literally flushes out the toxins in any given area. This does NOT mean you have to start running marathons (although that helps...). Walking or swimming in a pool provides not only the movement it's self but also the movement and gentle massage of the water on the actual breasts is very helpful. Or even small trampolines where you can gently bounce while watching your favorite tv show.


Exercise will also encourage you towards a healthier weight. And although there are as of yet not any direct correlations between breast cancer and being overweight a healthier diet tends to go hand and hand with the exercise regime. With a healthier weight circulation improves, diabetes risk falls, and we are better able to reduce our toxic loads within the body. Therefore, hopefully slowing down the production of "chocolate"/cancer cells.


I recommend that you move at least your 10,000 steps per day (more if you possibly can) and if you are unable to do so because of physical limitations try the pool or trampoline at least daily for at least 30 minutes (more if you possibly can).


What if I can't exercise (or just not as frequently as your recommending?

If even those exercises prove to be impossible for you then getting a massage from a licensed massage therapist (especially a lymphatic drainage massage). Dry brushing also claims to increase lymphatic drainage (here is a video showing you how). Another option for you if you really can't exercise is to weekly take a warm bath with some epsom salts and essential oils (that will be mentioned later).


Diet

I approach cancer from a Chinese Medicine philosophy due to my training and therefore, cancer is referred to many times in ancient texts as "phlegm". It was described to me as "insubstantial" (not solid--the body has an easier time recovering from and disposing of this phlegm) and "substantial" (solid or jelly-like--the body has a very difficult time to dispose of the phlegm and is visible) in nature. With the ancient philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) phlegm doesn't just refer to cancer but also can refer to things such as high cholesterol or tumors. Anything where a build up of cells occurs that should not be there and that the body should have removed.

Along with the TCM philosophy of phlegm are dietary foods that can enhance the production of phlegm in the body.


One of the biggest is milk products (cheese--especially soft cheeses, milk, yogurt and ice cream). First let me preface again, with stating that there are not yet the conclusive studies to say higher dairy intake leads to cancer. There are some theories in Western medicine philosophy that it may be due to the increase of the hormones received from intaking milk products (hormones given to the cows to ensure their health or improve milk production). I often hear patients push back against cutting out milk products from their diet or reducing their intake because, "how else will I maintain my calcium levels?". By increasing your vegetable intake is my solution! Rarely do we get the 8-10 recommended servings of fruits and vegetables per day as it stands. One cup of broccoli is the equal to the calcium found in an entire glass of milk (and it contains less calories, more vitamins and minerals, and broccoli is a super food that we will cover later).

Due to the higher hormone content of some meat sources (especially estrogen) red meats should be limited in the diet. With portion sizes being smaller than what is typically served in restaurants (the official serving size of meat is the size of a deck of cards) and not consuming red meat on a daily basis it is also thought that we reduce our hormone load. But with that being said, soy (often used as a meat substitute), can increase estrogen levels (in high quantities for both men and women). So a Mediterranean Diet is highly recommended because of the focus on fresh vegetables and fish (especially cold water fish) sources.


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Speaking of vegetables your very best choices for cancer prevention are the cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferous veggies are a diverse group that includes: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress and radishes.



A few other things to consider but not yet proven via studies: the use of the microwave may be dangerous especially for certain foods like potatoes and can increase the amount of free radicals in the body (these are hydrogen ions that can reek havoc in the body trying to attach to healthy cells); Sugar intake can increase inflammation in the body and this inflammatory reaction weakens the immune system (speeding up the belt of chocolate); and exposure to heavy metals or other toxins.


Clean up your beauty

Did you know that the average woman takes in approximately 168 toxins every day??? Many of that can come from our largest organ system--through skin absorption so please use caution with your hair and body products (especially make up). A clean line of make up and facial products that are 100% toxin free and that I love are made by Crunchi (you can visit their website here).


Essential Oils

Essential Oils may prove useful in the fight against cancer. Here are a list of some that are undergoing specific studies currently to determine their effectiveness against cancer. Please do not use any of these if you have any allergic reaction to them and these are very potent so should always be used topically with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil) that dilutes the strength (more is not always more when considering the human body). I recommend a two percent dilution for regular use:

10 mL/ 2 tsp =  6 drops 15 mL/ 3 tsp/ 1 tbsp =  9 drops

30 mL/ 6 tsp/ 2 tbsp/ 1 oz =  18 drops


Common Essential oils under consideration/study for cancer treatment:

Plai Central Melissa Helichrysum



This is a recipe that I sell at my practice for patients concerned with breast cancer and using some of the above mentioned oils. I recommend using it nightly for an entire month 1-2 times per year. When applying do a nice lymphatic drainage massage of the whole breast area and allow it to soak in overnight. If you'd like to just purchase a bottle we can send it to you directly. Contact us here: 941-228-4688

5 drops lemon essential oil

5 drops neroli

5 drops Cedarwood

10 drops frankincense



Antioxidant Herbs

These herbs are antioxidant in nature meaning that they pair up with those free radicals and assist in removing them from the body (those evil hydrogen atoms that we discussed earlier). The major focus of these herbs are to treat the neuro-endocrine system, immune system, and the what is called the: H-P-A Axis (Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal Axis) or our body's stress response.


General medical actions of these herbs with long term use are: enhanced adaptation to stresses (without harmful side effects); building vital energy; enhancing vitality; normalize homeostasis; increase physical and mental clarity; reduce fatigue; improve resistance to disease; revitalize exhausted cells; organ systems and improve mitochondrial function and repair; improve reproductive health; promote life extension; normalize metabolism; faster recovery; greater mental alertness; more restful sleep; and aid in blood sugar metabolism. So EVERYONE should be on some of these beauties!!!


These should be rotated through out the year to be sure that you are gaining maximal benefit because of their specific affinity for certain types of free radicals and where they are produced in the body.


Antioxidant herbs specific for the use in breast cancer prevention are:

Ginseng both Panax and American


Final Thoughts

I'd do a disservice to myself if I didn't discuss this briefly with you in an article concerning breast cancer...please be aware of "Pink Washing" products and companies who say they are committed to supporting research but are really more about supporting their bottom line. "Pink Washing" means that during the month of October the company will stick on a pink ribbon or donate a few cents to breast cancer research. Wonderful that they are willing to donate--but many of these products could actually be harmful and may actually lead to enhancing the likelihood of breast cancer. So choose wisely! The other thing is that there are many many many foundations that support breast cancer research. Please be sure that your money is well spent if you decide to donate by checking charity watch (an independent watch dog that makes sure your dollars are spent on actual research not CEO salaries).

 
 
 

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