October is breast cancer awareness month! Breast cancer affects men and women across the world. About 38% of men and women will get diagnosed within their lifetime – though women are much more likely to get breast cancer than men.
In honor of this month, we wanted to share holistic and natural methods that you can use to reduce your breast cancer risk.
Natural Cancer Prevention Tips
While we can never guarantee that we can prevent cancer from developing, we can provide proven methods which may assist in keeping you healthy and cancer-free.
Eat your leafy greens
A diet filled with fruits, veggies, and healthy fats has been found to reduce damage to genes and work to prevent cancer.
Stop eating so many saturated fats and fats from animals
There are bad fats that can contribute to breast cancer risk, and healthy fats which can reduce such risk. Eating fats that come from fruit and veggie sources like olive oil, coconut oil, and more have been shown in studies to lower breast cancer risk, while saturated and animal fats may increase that chance.
Take vitamin D, especially in the wintertime
Many studies show that vitamin D intake can assist in cancer prevention. Here in the Pacific NW, we get very cloudy weather that blocks us from getting natural vitamin D from the sun. That’s why it is important to take vitamin D, especially in the darker seasons.
Cultivate a healthy gut
Studies have shown that beneficial gut bacteria can reduce inflammation and help to slow or stop cancer development. You can do this by taking a probiotic or by eating one of the many foods jam-packed with healthy bacteria like:
- Apple cider vinegar
- Raw cheeses
Stress can contribute to all sorts of health problems, including cancer. While it’s impossible to tell someone to simply be stress-free, there are many techniques you can use to reduce stress throughout your day. For starters, find something that makes you smile or laugh every morning.
Enjoy regular exercise
Another great stress reliever, regular exercise also reduces hormone and insulin levels. Since high estrogen levels have been associated with breast cancer development, exercise is an essential part of breast cancer prevention.
Get some sleep
Just as stress can cut down your health, so can lack of sleep. Many of us need our snooze time to rejuvenate, regenerate and generally feel better.
If you have a hard time falling or staying asleep, Flow Natural Health Care provides cranial sacral therapy, which can help.
If you have a baby, breastfeed
Multiple studies have shown that breastfeeding doesn’t just benefit baby- it helps mom as well. One of the ways breastfeeding helps out is by lowering your risk of breast cancer.
Are you looking to make a natural improvement to your health? Make an appointment here at Flow Natural Health Care. We will help you find the right holistic solution to your health challenge.