The Samahita Blog

Healthy Breasts

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By Rebecca Newell

Ladies, it’s time to look at empowering ways we can take charge of this important aspect of our health. Our breasts. With so many women in society being affected with breast cancer it’s vital to spread the facts and education so we can make the best of this one life we have.

Let’s look at 3 important factors that play a role in the health of your breasts.

Hormones, stress, and the liver

Hormones

The balance of two main sex hormones estrogen and progesterone play a big role in keeping our breasts healthy. Excess estrogen can overload the liver (where estrogen is released back into the blood stream and recycled) causing an estrogen / progesterone imbalance. This reduces the anti breast cancer properties of progesterone. Synthetic estrogen, as found in the oral contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy, also impacts the natural hormonal balance. Too much estrogen has been linked to some breast cancers so we need to pay attention here.

Stress

One or both of our two main stress hormones, adrenalin (which communicates to every cell in your body that your life is in danger) and cortisol (tells your body that food is scarce), are produced when we are stressed. When these stress hormones increase, progesterone levels drop. Progesterone is linked to fertility so if cortisol is high the body will not prepare for a pregnancy. So, ladies wanting to get pregnant, be aware of your stress levels.

The body is a very intelligent system, listen to it carefully.
These processes in our body are there to protect us in times of danger and famine but, during times of chronic stress, over production of these two hormones increases stress related health problems, including cancer.

Liver

One of the bests steps you can take to ensure your breast tissue remains healthy is looking after your liver.

When estrogen is processed by the liver it is either recycled or excreted. If the liver has been overloaded over the years of excess alcohol, caffeine, refined sugars, trans fats, synthetic substances, or the byproduct of bowel congestion, the estrogen will be released by the liver back into the blood stream and recycled. This recycled estrogen has been found to be up to 400 times higher in women with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer.

So what can we do to give ourselves the best chance at this one life?

Diet, Exercise and Self care

Diet

Vegetables and fruits are a must. All the cruciferous vegetables have potent anticancer properties. Broccoli is one of the best, which has a compound that helps to eliminate carcinogenic substances from the body. It prevents estrogen from binding to and stimulating the growth of breast cancer cells.
We must eat our vegetables every day. Every meal is even better!
Minimize fried foods and charcoal-grilled meats, even reducing the amount of animal foods can be beneficial to breast health and the prevention of breast cancer.
Never base a meal purely on carbohydrates as this can lead to spikes in insulin and lead to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a contributing factor in numerous cancers.

Exercise

Move your body daily! There are many health benefits here, in particular helping to reduce insulin levels and body fat, both of which in excess have been linked to unhealthy breast tissue.

Self Care

Self care will help keep your stress levels in check.
Slow down, breathe. Practice yoga, meditate, take a bath, read a book, guilt free. Be aware of your mindset and your perception of the world.
Have some positive, inspiring resources that can help keep you on track.

Remember it’s what you do every day that will have the most impact on your health, not what you do sometimes.

Samahita’s online health coach program is there for anyone who needs regular help and advice and also for those who may need guidance post detox.

References
1. Accidentally Overweight: Dr. Libby Weaver, 2010

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