Taking Care of "The Girls"

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The positive news is that more and more data is confirming that 90-95% of breast cancer is preventable, and only

5-10% has been attributed to our genes.

Breast cancer, like metabolic syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes, is, for most people, a lifestyle-driven disease.

Given this information, I want to share empowering and important Breast Health tips:

• Maintain a healthy weight for your height. Unfortunately obesity is associated with higher rates of breast cancer. Fat tissue is metabolically and hormonally active and produces estrogens, which can increase cancer risk.

• Try to move your body daily; whether it be a walk in the neighborhood or your favorite workout class, activity lowers inflammatory chemicals in the body that can promote cancer.

• Eat the rainbow with whole real foods and buy organic to avoid pesticides:

• Carotenoids like, lycopene, found in red fruits such as tomatoes

• Resveratrol, found in grapes and berries

• Quercetin, an antioxidant found in citrus fruits, broccoli, and leafy greens

• Sulforanes, an essential nutrient for breaking down estrogens, are found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts

• Limit alcohol intake and work with your doctor to quit smoking. These substances are each directly linked to breast cancer risk.

• Support your detoxification pathways! Be sure you are having a bowl movement every day, sweat at least 4-5x per week, and make sure you take the right supplements to support your health. Work with your doctor to make sure you are methylating well and taking an MTHF supplement if needed, a type of pre-methylated folate, which is an essential nutrient for those who genetically do not methylate well.

• Avoid toxins in your personal care and home cleaning products, many of which contain hormone-disrupting chemicals. Pro-tip: you can use the Environmental Working Group’s app Skin Deep to find researched clean products.

• Manage stress levels. Stress can cause inflammation which drives numerous conditions. The health risks of being in a bad relationship, for example, can cause the same amount of stress on the body as smoking cigarettes.

• Use your breath – one of the most powerful stress-reduction tools. Sitting still and taking time to breathe mindfully will stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system- rest and digest, and remove you from the flight or fight mode. A great breathing exercise to try is the 4-7-8 technique by Dr. Weil:

4-7-8 Breathing Technique

• Inhale for 4 seconds through your nose (be sure to breathe into your belly)

• Hold for 7 seconds

• Exhale through your mouth for 8 seconds

• Repeat 4 times

Being aware of how your lifestyle impacts your health and finding ways that work for your to support your overall well-being can be a positive step forward in reducing risk. All these items above can help reduce inflammation, where many chronic diseases begin.

I work with my clients to help them make some of the lifestyle modifications above, and have consulted with providers on supplements that can best support breast/women's health, here are the some of their faves:

XenoProtX™ is a comprehensive formula designed to support phase I and phase II liver detoxification of environmental pollutants, endocrine disruptors, estrogen metabolites, xenoestrogens, and other toxins. XenoProtX also supports antioxidant activity throughout the detoxification process.

Clinical Applications:

• Provides Micronutrients, Phytonutrients, and Cofactors that Support Detoxification of Xenobiotics and Xenoestrogens

• Supports Healthy Estrogen Metabolism

• Supports Antioxidant Mechanism and Glutathione Production

Hormone Protect® is an ideal combination of DIM (diindolylmethane) and TrueBroc® (glucoraphanin) that helps protect estrogen-sensitive tissues by promoting healthy estrogen metabolism and supporting detoxification and neutralization of harmful estrogen metabolites and xenoestrogens.

Clinical Applications:

• Supports Healthy Estrogen Metabolism

• Supports Detoxification of Estrogen Metabolites/Intermediates

• Supports Cellular Health in Estrogen-Sensitive Tissues

• Helps Protect Against Damaging Reactive Oxygen Species, DNA-Damaging Electrophiles, and Cytokines

• Supports Antioxidant Activity

Omega MonoPure® Curcumin EC features complementary ingredients to help promote cellular health and modulate the production of cytokines. MaxSimil® highly absorbable monoglyceride fish oil is International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) five-star certified. BCM-95® is an optimally absorbed turmeric extract composed of a 95% standardized curcuminoid-essential oil complex. Great for those with GI and Gallbladder issues.

Clinical Applications:

• Patented Enhanced Absorption of EPA and DHA

• Highly Bioavailable Curcuminoid and Turmeric Essential Oil Extract

• Provides Antioxidant Activity and Cytokine Balance Support

• Promotes Healthy Cell-Life Regulation

If you have questions on where you can find these high quality supplement or have questions on any of the info list above, please always feel free to email me at amanda@amandasafferwellness.com

In good health,

Amanda Saffer