|
|
 |
|
Women's Health
BREAST HEALTH
11 Tips on How to Maintain Breast Health
by Honora Lee Wolfe, author of Better Breast Health Naturally with Chinese
Medicine
- Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum. Many studies
have shown that alcohol consumption does increase breast cancer rates
by a certain percentage. However, a small amount of alcohol can be
very relaxing and promote stress reduction.
- Include olive oil in your diet. Studies of Italian,
Greek, and Spanish women who include olive oil in their diet on a daily
basis had at 25% lower rate of breast cancer than women who ate less
or no olive oil.
- Control overall dietary fats. Cancer studies with
a variety of types of cancer indicate that dietary fat is a major player
in this disease. It is suggested that dietary fat should be kept under
25%. Some doctors suggest that, for women who have had cancer, overall
dietary fat should be limited to no more than 15% of overall calorie
intake.
- Find a release valve for your stress. According
to Chinese medicine, stress, frustration, and unresolved anger can
play an important part in the development of all types of breast disease,
both benign and malignant. Chinese medical theories suggest that one
of the best things a woman can do for her breast (and overall) health
is to find a way to relax and release stress on a daily basis. Such
methods may include yoga, meditation, biofeedback, simple relaxation
therapy.
- Avoid pesticides and "xeno-estrogens". Many studies
show that cell abnormalities in animals at the top
of the food chain are due to the ingestion of concentrated chemicals
such as pesticides which tend to act like concentrated estrogen hormones
or "xeno-extrogens". We know that many cancers are estrogen dependent.
This a another good reason to eat organic foods whenever possible.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise releases stress as
well as improves sleep, appetite, and mood. In a variety of research
studies, both aerobic exercise and weight training have been shown
to be beneficial in reducing symptoms in women including sleep disturbances,
depression, fibrocystic breast disease, and breast cancer.
- Try self-massage for the breasts. According to Chinese
medicine, massage will help relieve stress and keep the body part receiving
the massage more healthy due to improved flow of blood, body fluids,
and nerve impulses. Breast self massage can be as simple as 50-100
light circles in each direction over the breast tissue and gentle rubbing
over the entire flank and axilla area (underarm) to circulate the lymph
glands. These techniques are simple, painless, and require very little
time.
- Don't forget monthly breast self-examination. Most
women never do breast self-examination! However, women who find a malignant
lump when it is still very tiny have a better chance of full recovery
than those who wait until it is large. If you have never been taught
to do a proper breast self-exam, your gynecologist or health clinic
can teach you how to do it. If you do not go to a clinic or health
care practitioner, you can get the most up-to-date information on breast
self-exam from the Mammacare Personal Training System. Call 1-800-MAM-CARE
for more information.
- Eat your veggies! Studies show that women whose
diets are high in vegetable based fiber, have lower rates of breast
cancer. Especially the cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, brussel sprouts,
cauliflower, cabbage) seem to have a stronger cancer-preventing affect.
It is recommended to eat 3 or more servings of vegetables every day.
Cooked vegetables will be easier to digest.
- Consider drinking green tea instead of cola and coffee. There
have been many studies on the anti-carcinogenic qualities of green
tea. Studies of people in Asia who drink copious amounts of green tea
daily show a correlation between green tea consumption and lower rates
of a variety of cancers.
- Get professional treatment for benign breast diseases. According
to some Western studies and Chinese medicine as well, benign breast
diseases can signal a predisposition for breast cancer. The good news
is that Chinese medicine has many effective treatments for benign breast
conditions such as fibrocystic breast disease, mastitis, and premenstrual
breast pain. Lumpiness or pain indicate a treatable internal imbalance.
Get help if you have such a condition. It could be important for your
long term breast health.
Breast health in particular and overall health in general is a lifelong
commitment. Different women will have different health care needs and
issues. Decisions about your specific needs should be discussed by you
and your primary health care practitioner. However, there is a lot that
you can do for your self to maintain breast health for life!
For more information about breast health and Chinese medicine, pick up
a copy of Better Breast Health Naturally with Chinese Medicine, by Honora
Lee Wolfe available at Barnes & Noble Bookstore.
Your path to radiant health...
from motherhood to menopause.
Lorraine H. Harris, Licensed Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbalist
Specialist in fertility, women's health and rejuvenation, and the only
acupuncturist in Western North Carolina (WNC) and Asheville offering
the patented Fertile Soul Method™ and Mei Zen™ Cosmetic
Acupuncture.
|
|
|
