October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I want to share a few ways that you can improve your general health and reduce your cancer risk. Prevention is key when trying to reduce cancer risk, heart disease, brain degeneration diseases and more.
Acid – Alkaline Balance
Cancer thrives in low oxygen and high acid states. Everything we do produces acid in our bodies. A healthy diet rich in vegetables and plant nutrients can help alkalize the body. This changes the environment that your cells are bathed in and prevent the take-over of cancer cells. It is particularly important to increase your intake of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, etc). These help control your 2:16 estrogen ratios.
2:16 Estrogen Ratio
Your liver serves many roles. One of these roles is to take used up estrogen and package it for removal from the body. The liver will metabolize estrogen hormone via one of three pathways. The efficiency of these pathways can be measured with a simple first morning urine test that evaluates the ratio of the 2 pathway (the “good” pathway) to the 16 pathway (the “bad” pathway). If the 2:16 ratio is too low you are metabolizing more damaging estrogens. We also get exposed to toxic estrogens from our environment. This includes men and women! For example, plastic water bottles, pesticides, flame retardants and common cosmetics are all “estrogen mimickers” and are called endocrine disruptors. They damage your hormone balance and stress the liver.
Constipation
1 in 7 Americans are chronically constipated. Normal bowel elimination is 1-2 times. Every. Single. Day. This idea that it’s “normal” for you if you only go a couple of times per week is ridiculous and dangerous for your health! When you are constipated, you increase levels of bad bacteria in your colon. These bad bacteria then create enzymes that break down packages of old hormones that are supposed to be eliminated from the body. This places an additional burden on the liver because it has to go back through the detox cycle. It is recommended that men consume 40-50 grams of fiber daily and that women consume 35-40 grams daily. The average female consumes only 7-10 grams of fiber each day! So increase your fiber…start slowly…and drink plenty of water.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fish oils reduce inflammation. Inflammation is at the root cause of all diseases…including cancer. Omega-3’s are considered essential fatty acids which means that you cannot make these in your body and you must get them from your diet. A simple finger prick can identify your omega-3 fatty acid levels. Your omega-3 index should be at least 10%. If this is too low you are deficient in this very important fatty acid that is critical for keeping inflammation balanced and in control in the body.
My Favorite Supplements for Healthy Estrogen Balance
Estrium – I recommend 2 scoops taken 1-2 times daily to help metabolize estrogens down the preferred 2-pathway.
Estrofactors – I recommend 2 tablets 1-3 times daily depending on the individual needs. This product has key nutrients to help with supporting hormone health.
NutriDyn Fruits and Greens – I recommend 1 scoop taken 1-3 times daily to help increase intake of life-giving and health-promoting plant nutrients.
If you are wondering if you are being affected by estrogen-related issues, please feel free to schedule an appointment with Dr Sefcik to discuss your concerns and set up an individual program for you to follow!
