Guest Column

0
994

Breast Cancer Affects Us, Laguna Beach!

By Dr. Tracy Darling

I’m sickened at how many wonderful people I’ve met who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, some of them quite young. I’m taking this opportunity to step up and shed some light on this devastating disease and what we can do to reduce our risk. Breast cancer occurs in one out of every eight women now, as opposed to one out of 20 in the 1960s. That’s too much!

Much of the massive research being done is simply looking for drugs to “cure” cancer. I agree we need safer and more effective treatments, but our biggest concern should be in stopping the cause.

Whether or not you have the “cancer gene,” we women are at high risk. And did you know that your body can “choose” whether or not to even turn that cancer gene on? Epigenetics has found a number of factors that affect whether those with abnormal genes “express” that gene. Environmental effects can make a big difference, so let’s look at what we can change.

Diet is number one, according to recent research. The bottom line: sugar feeds cancer! Sugar can come from sweets, fruit, alcohol and other drinks, grains and starches, and processed food. Yes, even grains turn into sugar in the body, and any sugar will trigger an insulin response and increase your risk. A diet high in protein, non-starchy, high fiber vegetables, and healthy fats are your best bet. The deeper the color in our food, the more antioxidants we are getting and the lower our cancer risk will be. To learn to eat from “The Colors of a Rainbow,” email me. Also, new research is showing a possible increased risk of all cancers with use of artificial sweeteners.

Alcohol is a tricky subject. Red wine contains antioxidants. However, as little as one glass of alcohol per day raises breast cancer risk by 40 times!

Hormones can be a double edged sword. Very strong estrogens like those found in birth control pills and menopausal formulas can increase risk, but preliminary studies indicate that natural or “bio-identical” hormones may be protective.

Vitamin D deficiency is a huge factor: a recent study showed an 83% drop in breast cancer by keeping the blood level of vitamin D over 50! Nutrients from broccoli and similar vegetables helps increase the “good” estrogens and blocks the “bad.”

Women who are at lower risk are those who do not smoke. The American Cancer Society says smoking increases a woman’s risk up to 61%. Stop smoking!

“Xenoestrogens” from chemicals and pesticides are over 1,000 times stronger than estrogen and are difficult for the body to eliminate. Avoid using plastics that contain BPA, and keep bottles cool. I recommend a “detox” twice a year to help the body purge these harmful toxins.

Stress is a big killer. We are fortunate to live in Laguna Beach with its many options for meditation, yoga, and spending time in nature. Laguna has great yoga studios including free classes with Carl Brown in the beautiful Montage park. Listening to soothing music, dancing, and laughter are all great stress relievers that we can do every day.

Tips to lower breast cancer risk dramatically:

Reduce your sugar and starch intake and eat a diet high in rich colored, organic fruits and vegetables. Eat only organic, grass-fed meat and dairy and wild-caught fish.

Limit your alcohol use to no more than three drinks per week, or eliminate it altogether.

Keep your immune system strong and consider herbal antibiotics for minor infections.

Supplement your diet with Indole-3-carbinol and keep your vitamin D levels over 50.

Don’t smoke and minimize your exposure to “xenoextrogens.”

Consider doing a “detox” to rid the liver of unwanted toxins on a yearly basis or more.

Manage stress as much as possible. Sit at the beach, watch the waves and breath everyday!

Exercise every day. Take a brisk walk downtown and enjoy the art displays on the way. Go surfing, body boarding, or paddle boarding.

Email me questions at [email protected] and I’ll send you a healthy eating chart.

Dr. Tracy Darling practices “nutritional medicine,” helping people to attain optimal health using diet and natural supplements, detoxification programs, balancing hormones, and improving quality of life. She has learned through some of her own health challenges that the body will often heal itself if it is given the right tools.

 

 

Share this:

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here