Breast Health
Easy Things to do to help keep cancer free and healthy!
As seen on the Sonoran Living program.

Breast cancer is a big concern for women, and the United States has one of the highest rates of incidences. It probably has a lot to do with many factors, some of which are the Standard American Diet (SAD), our sedentary lifestyle, exposures to chemicals whether in pesticides, synthetic compounds, cleaning products, or synthetic body care products, our constant wearing of tight fitting clothes that inhibit body fluid flow, and of course, or extreme levels of daily stress that most of us have.

Let’s cover a few easy steps you can take that will help make a large impact on your overall health over time, and may very well ward off breast cancer.

To help you along with this venture, pick up the book Before The Change, by Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D. Ms. Gittleman takes a very practical approach that covers the important lifestyle basics and has written them in an easy to read book. She does not get into herbal protocols, for she is a nutritionist, not an herbalist, but you do not need to address any herbal protocols until you have exhausted the changes you can make in your diet/lifestyle and general nutritional intake. She has a funny-but-true comment written in her book that says that "A naturopathic doctor once remarked to me that using hormone replacement therapy for perimenopause symptoms that can be alleviated with nutrients and exercise is like using a crane to lift a teacup."

Here is a list of some important steps to take to help your body regain and maintain balance and health.

1. • Take off the bra! Let it all hang out at least for part of the day, when you are at home. And by all means – NEVER sleep in a bra! At least give your body that break when you are asleep. Bras inhibit good lymphatic flow through the body. There are many lymph nodes located all along the underside of the breast and the underarms, so wearing bras actually cut off the flow to a certain degree. The lymphatic system is transporting lots of toxic load -–you do not want that getting stuck all around your breasts (or anywhere, for that matter)!
   
2. • Get the lymphatic system pumping by doing movement of arms and legs, in particular. Also, jumping on a trampoline is very helpful Remember those little mini trampolines that are probably in many your garages somewhere collecting dust? Get it out and jump a little from time to time!
   
3. • Switch to a natural deodorant. Try my favorite one, Thai Crystal Deodorant Spray. I like to add a few drops of essential oil to scent it. Look for this deodorant at Hi Health. If you do not find it on the shelf there, ask for them to order it for you. One bottle lasts me 6 months or longer with both myself and my husband using it. It is inexpensive, free from aluminum and other synthetic chemicals and effective!
   
4. • Body Brushing (see the book Total Breast Health for more information on how to do this)
   
5. • Consume organic foods – especially fats, dairy and meats, but also fruits and vegetables – whenever possible to reduce exposure to pesticides. Eat lots of green leafy vegetables.
   
6. • Eat unprocessed foods as much as possible.
   
7. • Consume omega 3 rich oils (flax, Udo’s Blend, etc.) See my recipe piece on Omega 3 Fats for more info and ideas on how to blend them into your diet.
   
8. • Sweat! The heat of Arizona summer is a good time to get out and sweat! Many toxins are carried out of the body through sweat. Go out and garden on an August morning!
   
9. • Drink lots of clean filtered water.