October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Breast Cancer rates second as cause of cancer death among woman (lung cancer is first) and an estimated 4,730 new cases of breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in Maryland this year alone¹. Budokon MD believes prevention is one of the most important aspects in stopping this trend. Keeping your body healthy and strong can help prevent cancer from taking root. One way to support a strong, fighting body is eating well and focusing on good nutrition. Nutrition is one of the six pillars of study we focus on at Budokon MD, so here are a few nutrition tips that may aid one’s body in the prevention of cancer.
1. Be Active
Physical activity counts. Maintaining a healthy weight might lower the risk of various types of cancer, not just breast cancer. Adults who participate in ANY amount of physical activity gain some health benefits. For substantial health benefits, strive to maintain a weekly, regimented combination of moderate and vigorous activity in your life. Combining strength training, like our conditioning class, with cardiovascular training found in our yoga flow class will keep your body and immune system fit.
2. Make Fruits and Vegetables a Major Part of Your Food Choices.
Eat a colorful variety of produce. More color means more health. Be sure to include produce with anti-inflammatory characteristics, like spinach, kale, broccoli, and collard greens, that help enhance and support your immune system and fight off unwanted guests.
3. Drink Plenty of Green Tea
Green tea is made from unwilted tea leaves that have not oxidized. The polyphenols, especially the catechins, found within green tea are thought to have numerous health benefits. These polyphenols are antioxidants which help protect cells from damage and aid in strengthening the immune system. In laboratory tests, tea polyphenols have been shown to inhibit tumor cell growth and invasion². To get the most polyphenols, brew green tea leaves in hot water.
4. Avoid Pesticide-treated Food to the Best of Your Ability
Certain pesticides have been linked to cancer, so when possible, buying food grown in pesticide free environments can help. However, sometimes cost and availability makes this hard. Make the best food choices you can with what is available to you. And be sure to thoroughly wash your produce.
5. Do Not Smoke
Smoking has been linked to cancers of the lung, throat, mouth and esophagus, in addition to causing heart disease, emphysema and a host of other health related complications in the human body. It is also the number one cancer killer. For your health, quit. Period.
6. Get regular medical care
Especially for breast cancer, regular self-exams and screenings increase your chances of EARLY detection. Detecting breast cancer early is when corrective actions are most likely to be successful. Consult your doctor about the best screening schedule for you.
- http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@editorial/documents/document/acspc-044552.pdf
- http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/tea-fact-sheet