To this day scientists have not been able to figure out the exact cause of breast cancer. However, we fully understand that nutritional deficiencies, exposure to environmental toxicity (xenoestrogens), generic alterations BRCA1/BRCA2, chronic inflammation, the influence of endocrine-disruptors, carcinogens, a compromised immune system, and estrogen dominance play a major role.
According to the National Cancer Institute this year, an estimated 231,840 women in the US will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 60,290 women will be diagnosed with in situ breast cancer. An estimated 2,350 men in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
So what foods should you eliminate from your diet for your best chances at breast cancer prevention? Here are the major offenders:
1. Sugar
Considering that most of the refined sugar in the united states is sourced from sugar beets, and most beets are now GMO’s you should say your last good byes to sugar immediately. I am sure you’ve seen the infamous picture of the lab rats with tumors on their chests. What do you think they were fed? Yep, Genetically Modified foods.
As a result of the anaerobic respiratory technique presented by virtually all cancer cells, sugar is cancer’s preferred food!
This is yet another reason to avoid processed white poison at all cost. If there is a history of cancer in your family, have or currently dealing with cancer, I encourage you to stop consuming sugar immediately– no matter what your anyone (including your Oncologist) says.
Skeptical? I don’t blame you. There is lots of fear mongering in this field and misinformation. I’d like to encourage you to educate yourself further by watching The Truth About Cancer – LIVE Starting Oct. 13th through October 21st, and learn how renowned scientists, functional and alternative medicine authorities, and survivors talk in detail about the culprit.
Avoid white sugar, brown sugar, agave (yeah agave is as bad as HFCS) and all artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, Amino Sweeet, aspartame, and sucralose.
If you love sweets, it’s wise to stick with natural sweeteners, but be mindful of their glycemic index. Some of my favorites are:
- 100% pure stevia in a no-alcohol base
- xylitol
- raw honey
- pure maple syrup
- lakanto
- monk fruit
- swerve
I’ve baked great recipes here made with some of these natural sweeteners.
If your goal is to achieve optimal health you need to moderate your sugar consumption to ensure that it doesn’t have a negative impact in your today and later on.
2. Pesticide-laden Fruits and Vegetables (Non-Organic)
Organic fruits and vegetables are grown without using dangerous herbicides, pesticides, molluscicides (slugs and snails). However, that is not the case with “cheaper” conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, and we are being exposed to these poisons more than ever.
In 1962 Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring exposed the hazards of the pesticide DDT. At that time everyone managed to reduce the use of pesticides and its exposure — only to see an alarming increase in the use of them a few years later. Her book meticulously described how DDT entered the food chain and accumulated in the fatty tissues of animals, including human beings, and caused cancer and genetic damage.
In this recently peer-reviewed paper by Environmental Sciences Europe, Chuck Benbrook, research professor at Washington State University’s Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources shot down that claim. Herbicide-resistant crop technologies have lead to (527 million pounds) spike in herbicide use within the united states ranging from 1996 and 2011, whereas Bt crops have lowered insecticide uses by 123 million pounds. Overall, pesticide use by approximately 404 million pounds, or 7%.
Furthermore, The study, titled, ‘Glyphosate induces human breast cancer cells growth via estrogen receptors,’ compared the effect of glyphosate on hormone-dependent and hormone-independent breast cancer cell lines, finding that glyphosate stimulates hormone-dependent cancer cell lines in what the study authors describe as ‘low and environmentally relevant concentrations.'”
3. Unfermented Soy
Women all over the world– especially those following a vegan or vegetarian diet have turned to soy because soy is a “healthy food”. However, in 1997 scientist at the Health Sciences Research Division in Tennessee, became aware of a potential concern when they discovered cytological detection of epithelial hyperplasia in 7 of 24 women, during the months they were consuming soy protein isolate.
[box title=”Hyperplasia ” style=”noise” box_color=”#e9e9e9″ title_color=”#2d5d20″ radius=”12″]Hyperplasia is also known as epithelial hyperplasia or proliferative breast disease. It’s an overgrowth of the cells that line the ducts or the lobules. Based on how the cells look under a microscope, the hyperplasia is called either ductal hyperplasia (also called duct epithelial hyperplasia) or lobular hyperplasia. source[/box]
According to Cultures for Health non-fermented soy includes a number of substances, including:
- Goitrogens. Like many vegetables, soy contains substances that can block or reduce the production of thyroid hormones, thus affecting other hormonal balances.
- Phytic Acid. This anti-nutrient binds with minerals in your body and removes them. An over-consumption of foods with phytic acids can caause a depletion of essential minerals.
- Oxalic Acids. A high concentration of oxalates can produce inflammation, resulting in discomfort, and can prevent the absorption of calcium, an essential nutrient.
- Enzyme Inhibitors. These substances block the ability of the body’s natural enzymes to break down food into nutrients that can be assimilated.
Over-consumption of any type of food containing these substances can cause nutritional imbalances. However, the fermentation process breaks down enzyme inhibitors, produces phytase which neutralizes phytic acid, and decreases the goitrogenic properties of soy. Because of these changes, most traditional Asian soy recipes involve fermentation. (source)
In conclusion this pilot study indicates that prolonged consumption of soy protein isolate has a stimulatory effect on the premenopausal female breast, characterized by increased secretion of breast fluid, the appearance of hyperplastic epithelial cells, and elevated levels of plasma estradiol. These findings are suggestive of an estrogenic stimulus from the isoflavones genistein and daidzein contained in soy protein isolate.
If you must eat soy — I don’t know why anyway, opt for organic, Non-GMO fermented soy. If it doesn’t say those words in the packaging or you know your local farmer’s soy is organic; skip it.
4. Conventional Dairy (Farmed Cows)
Any time you consume dairy products and meat from CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations ) you increase your risk of developing several diseases including breast cancer. Why? because you will be eating what those animals ate, the antibiotics they were pumped as well as pesticides, growth hormones and everything in between. Instead, choose grass-fed beef, and dairy to reduce the chances of toxins going into your body, which in turn will reduce the risk of breast cancer.
5. Avoid Drinking Alcohol Excessively
Drinking alcoholic beverages increase estrogen levels in your body. Alcohol may increase the risk of estrogen-sensitive cancers advise health authorities, including estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer, the most common type of breast cancer. Other than the estrogen connection, alcohol itself is believed to be carcinogenic, or cancer-causing.”
This rule applies to hard liquor, beer or any type of wine. It is the alcohol that matters, not the kind of alcohol you are consuming.
For breast cancer survivors, some early research studies advised, at the very least for ER-positive breast cancer, the likelihood of recurrence increases each time a woman has more than a couple of drinks a week. This truly is considerably below the standard health recommendation that women consume no more than a drink a day.
[quote][animate type=”bounceInUp”] Prevention: Cancer prevention is the action taken to lower the chance of getting cancer. By preventing cancer, the number of new cases of cancer in a group or population is lowered. Hopefully, this will lower the number of deaths caused by cancer.
To prevent new cancers from starting, scientists look at risk factors and protective factors. Anything that increases your chance of developing cancer is called a cancer risk factor; anything that decreases your chance of developing cancer is called a cancer protective factor. (Source) [/animate][/quote]
6. Genetically Modified Foods (GMO’s)
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are animals or plants where its DNA has been manipulated, in ways that can’t take place in nature as well as conventional crossbreeding. This is done typically as a way to make them resistant to chemical pesticides or produce an insecticide.
GMO’s have been linked to organ damage, gastrointestinal disease, and all types of Cancer– including breast cancer. Contrary to Monsanto’s claims that the development of GMO’s has reduced the use of pesticides– We are more exposed to glyphosate- a xenoestrogen than ever.
In the first groundbreaking study led by molecular biologist Gilles-Eric Seralini of the University of Caen in France, was published in 2012 in the prestigious peer-reviewed journal Food and Chemical Toxicology demonstrated clear evidence that GMO’s lead to Cancer.
The health effects of a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize (from 11% in the diet), cultivated with or without Roundup, and Roundup alone (from 0.1 ppb in water), were studied 2 years in rats. In females, all treated groups died 2–3 times more than controls, and more rapidly. All results were hormone and sex dependent, and the pathological profiles were comparable. Females developed large mammary tumors almost always more often than and before controls, the pituitary was the second most disabled organ; the sex hormonal balance was modified by GMO and Roundup treatments.
At this point, it is safe to say that if you haven’t switched to all organic or at least 80%– now is the time. Buy two organic tomatoes vs five conventional, grow your own, visit your local farmers and most importantly; be proactive in your quest to a healthier you.
7. Artificial Sweeteners
Aspartame has a profound adverse neurologic, cardiopulmonary, endocrine, and allergic effects, according to a recent issue of the Texas Heart Institute Journal (source)
Aspartame or AminoSweet is a neurotoxic or rat poison is made by joining together the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are found naturally in many foods.
Splenda (sucralose) has been marketed for years as made from sugar, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Splenda is a chlorinated synthetic sweetener consistent with aspartame, that is apparently not as detrimental to your health.
I personally do not use and would never recommend artificial sweeteners. Instead, use organic stevia leaf extract
8. Vegetable Oils
Research by the International Journal of Cancer found that compounds known as heterocyclic amines (HAs) present in fish and cooked animal-based proteins don’t appear to increase a woman’s likelihood of developing breast cancer immediately after menopause.
Having said that, even consuming small amounts of these compounds in conjunction with high intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are found in nearly all types of vegetable oil, margarine (most commercial cake, muffins and junk food) may in fact increase the chance for postmenopausal women to develop breast cancer, warned researchers at Lund University, Malmo.
Furthermore, a 2012 study at the Los Angeles Veterans Administration Hospital found that subjects who consumed vegetable oils increased the risk of cancer two years and then five years into the study vs those who consumed animal fats.
The good news? You can now confidently cook and consume organic Pastured butter– I repeat pastured butter, ghee, coconut oil (I like this one), avocado oil, and of course EVOO
9. Farmed Fish (Salmon, Tilapia)
Farmed fish is bad news in many levels. Not only do they have to be pumped with antibiotics and medications to keep them from getting sick due to confinement, they are stressed because of the same reason.
The Environmental Working Group who is the authority in product and foods safety and conducted studies on farmed salmon from grocery stores found on average 16 times the dioxin-like PCBs found in wild salmon. Farmed salmon is likely the most PCB-contaminated protein source in the U.S. food supply. PCBs cause cancer and were banned in the United States in 1976.
Fish farming also harms ecosystems by releasing nutrients, waste, chemicals, and escaped domestic fish into oceans.
What to do? Farmed salmon is cheaper and has a pale color. Opt instead to purchase wild-caught sustainable seafood from reputable companies. I love fresh Wild Alaskan Salmon Dinner Fillets
So how do you prevent Breast Cancer or reverse the progression if you’ve been diagnosed?
For Breast cancer prevention: Start making lifestyle changes and eliminate the culprits above right now!
If you’ve been diagnosed or have battled cancer: A good place to start would be to find a Functional medicine practitioner or wellness center nearby and begin a holistic- alternative medicine protocol suitable for YOUR particular condition. Make the appropriate lifestyle changes and eliminate the foods listed above for a higher chance of healing, and even reversing the disease.
Question: What foods have you eliminated from your diet from this list or in the process of to Prevent Breast Cancer? What else would you like to add to this list?
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To Your Best Health,
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Other Resources to Prevent and Target The Root Cause of Breast Cancer
- Oncoblot: For second, third, fourth, opinion or to find out your risk of developing breast cancer accurately you can look into
- Healing Therapies Foundates: Complementary healing therapies provide an integrative treatment approach which involves both Eastern methods and Western conventional methods
- Prevention of invasive breast cancer in women with ductal carcinoma in situ: An update of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project experience
References:
The Sugar and Cancer Connection: Why Sugar Is Called “The White Death”
https://www.everydayhealth.com/breast-cancer/causes/
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/11/13/worst-endocrine-disruptors.aspx#_edn1
https://www.breastcancerfund.org/clear-science/biology-of-breast-cancer/
https://www.culturesforhealth.com/all-about-fermenting-soy
https://www.enveurope.com/content/24/1/24/abstract
https://www.processedfreeamerica.org/documents/frenchgmostudyfinalpaper.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC387446/
https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/good-fats-bad-fats-separating-fact-from-fiction/
https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer/statistics
https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/breast-prevention-pdq
Image sources: https://www.morguefile.com/ DodgertonSkillhause