Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer affects many women and families in our society, and we at Eniva Health offer our support to those fighting as well as preventing it. We believe there are many ways to help the body stay strong and maintain good breast health. With so many toxic substances out there, it is important to focus on the nourishing things that truly serve our body. It can always be a good practice to ask yourself “how is this supporting my health.” Ability to limit stress and manage tough situations can also help your wellbeing in the long-run.
The Importance of a Good Diet to Ensure Breast Health
While it is obvious that no specific food or diet contains the magic answer, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research, “strong evidence does show that a diet filled with a variety of plant foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans helps lower risk for many cancers.”
What to choose? Apples, blueberries, broccoli, cherries, cranberries, grapes, tomatoes, dark leafy vegetables, tea, squash, walnuts, flaxseed, legumes, whole grains and garlic provide the most protection.* Many of these contain minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and omegas that are critical. A daily multivitamin can also help with filling nutritional gaps.
Here’s a handy guide:
• Moderate Activity: Average 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day
• Fruit & Vegetable Intake: 7-10 servings daily of fresh fruits and veggies
• Maintain a Healthy Weight
• Decrease Processed Sugar
• Avoid Unhealthy Fats: Decrease use of trans fats and hydrogenated oils
• Support Your Mental Health: Looks for ways to decrease and release stress
• Use supplements to help fill nutritional gaps
“We are what we eat” and prioritizing nutrition is essential to help women maintain balanced health in the face of challenges and stress.
Guidelines recommend decreasing sugar intake, decreasing saturated fats and replacing them with healthy fats such as omega essential fatty acids. (Oils from plants: corn, olive, peanut, safflower, soybean, and sunflower oils, as well as nuts, seeds, seafood, olives and avocados).
A Healthy Weight is Essential
According to breastcancer.org, a healthy weight reduces the risk of first-time breast cancer and the possibility of it showing up again. Studies have shown that women who gain weight after their first diagnosis are far more prone to recurrence. Stay active, and aim to do some form physical exercise, even if it’s just a walk around the neighborhood. And if you are currently being treated, try to slowly achieve this goal. Secondly, a low-fat diet is very important to reduce the risk of diagnosis. In fact, this is true across many types of cancers. In a Women’s Health Initiative Trial in 2014, researchers found that women who had high-fat diets and changed to a healthier diet (i.e. ate more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) saw overall improvements in health and wellbeing.
Next, limit your processed food intake as much as possible. Start by eliminating foods with the highest fat and empty calorie content (fried foods, butter, desserts) and gradually reduce these foods in your diet. In addition, avoid trans fats, red meats, or charred or smoked foods as much as possible. Finally, incorporate omega-3 fatty acids, which act as helpful, bioactive lipid mediators.
Most breast cancers occur after menopause, but weight gain before menopause can be carried over and increase risk. Maintaining a healthy weight is important throughout life.
Avoid Smoking and Use Alcohol in Moderation
If you smoke, we strongly urge you to stop. If you don’t smoke, avoid starting. This includes vaping devices. If you choose to drink, do so in moderation – usually one serving per day. Too much alcohol can increase the risk of breast cancer, due to alcohol’s ability to break down DNA. A study found that women who had 2-3 drinks per day had a 20% higher risk of breast cancer when compared to women who did not drink. www.komen.org
Know Your History and Incorporate Regular Screenings
Be aware of other factors in your own history that may be a possible risk factor, such as being 60 years or older; family history of breast cancer; menstruation prior to age 12; menopause at age 55 or over; first childbirth after age 35; no children; dense breasts; long-term hormone replacement therapy; history of benign breast growth. Be sure to do regular breast exams and to have a mammogram periodically, after the age of 40. Self-exams can be very effective. Try to pick the same day once a month to examine your breasts, and note any changes. Should any redness, swelling, lumps, changes in the skin or irregular nipple discharge present itself, notify a doctor as soon as possible.
Strive for Balance
Look for ways to simplify, de-stress and balance your daily living. Stress can really take a toll on your body. Take small steps each day to improve your regular routine: “Put yourself first” with exercise, meditation/spirituality, deep breathing, eating whole foods, making healthy choices for snacks and getting quality sleep to help your body repair and recharge. Also, look for natural dietary supplements to help fill in your nutritional gaps.
Check Out Eniva Nutritionals
Eniva offers many options to support women’s breast health and body balance. Start with your daily multi: VIBE Fruits & Veggies Superfoods. VIBE provides a powerful all-in-one nutritional foundation that provides:
• Potent antioxidants for counteracting free radical damage*
• Green tea catechins shown to support breast health*
• Additional ingredients for protecting cellular health.*
Also, check out Eniva’s Female Body Balance Bundle:
• Probiotic+ provides nutrients for healthy gut bacteria to help the immune system.* Plus, it helps the body feel comfortable during digestion, optimizes gut flora, and it can help out-compete the growth of harmful bacteria in the body.* — Wellbeing begins in the gut.
• Cell Ready Minerals support internal mineral balance so the body functions well.* The body can use the nutrients to make substances necessary for several chemical reactions.
• Vitamin B-Complex supports the nervous system and helps with stress management.* Eniva’s formula also addresses nutritional deficiencies that may occur as one ages.
• Vitamin D3 supports a healthy cellular replication. Plus, it supports a healthy mood as well as strong bones.*
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Any research referred to in this article is not meant to be interpreted as research results involving specific Eniva products.
At Eniva, we believe each human body was designed to be healthy. It was designed to be energetic, lean, agile, and resilient towards healing. You were created to live an abundant, healthy and vibrant life. Eniva is proud to create and manufacture pure liquid nutraceuticals with no artificial preservatives. Our liquid supplements are natural solutions to help you feel and look your best.
