I
don’t know about you but this time of year always makes me crave soup! Not the kind that you get out of a can, but
the homemade kind that mothers and grandmothers
used to make. The
change of seasons is still part of my bio-rhythms having lived in the North all
my life (until moving to the desert two years ago). In the Fall I begin
to think of soup and my grandmother, and it conjures up a feeling of warmth,
nourishment and of being cared for. So,
to me, it is no coincidence that October is breast cancer awareness month; let
me explain.
Eat soup!
Studies
show that homemade soup stock (yes, from the bones of healthy animals) provide
rich sources of protein, healthy fats, vitamin A and D, abundant minerals, and
one very important anti-oxidant, glutathione.
A recent study reported in the October 8th issue of The American HealthCare Foundation states
that, “women who had the highest levels of glutathione were more than 75
percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those with the lowest
glutathione levels.” In addition,
“glutathione acts directly against certain carcinogenic substances by binding
to these toxins and eliminating them through urine or bile.” Our stores of glutathione can become depleted
as stressors increase.
Increase vitamin D!
Research
shows that the risk of breast cancer may be reduced, when proper vitamin D
levels are maintained. Other protective
nutrients include vitamins A &C, carotenes, coenzyme Q10, CLA (conjugated
linoleic), and butyric acid (available in butter from grass-fed cows). Check with your doctor about maintaining safe
ranges of vitamin D.
Eat Your Fruits and Veggies!
A
study in Breast Cancer Research and
Treatment demonstrated that when we eat more anti-oxidant rich fruits and
veggies we reduce our risk of developing mutations and an added bonus, we lower
our overall oxidative stress levels.
Size Does Matter!
Risks
were shown to decrease in women who maintained a healthy body weight.
Express gratitude!
I
believe that one of the most powerful actions we can take is to develop an
attitude of love and appreciation for ourselves and others. Those who express gratitude, increase nitric
oxide levels in the body and nitric oxide helps to relax blood vessels which
may reduce healing time.
Women
today are told they can do it all! We
are expected to work full-time, raise our families (sometimes alone), provide healthy
meals, run a smooth household, and keep our youthful appearance! Pressures on young women to be wage earners
and mothers can place enormous stress on our bodies at a time when strength is
needed to raise happy, balanced and healthy children. This stress can create fertile ground for
chronic disease.
This
time of year marks a change of seasons, autumn, a time of year where
traditionally (except here in the desert) the leaves begin to fall away, the
season before winter; where we look inward and begin to reflect on what we have
accomplished. Take time to nurture
yourself and express gratitude for those around you. Louise Hay, in her book, You Can Heal Your Life notes that breast problems may arise with a
refusal to nurture one’s self, putting everyone else first. The breasts lie within the fourth chakra which
is the location of the heart; this is about personal expression and emotion,
healing and forgiveness. The heart
suffers when there is a sense of separation or isolation. This month take time to nurture yourself,
spend time in nature and rejuvenate your spirit! Being loved, accepted and nurtured is how we
move forward in life. Learning to
nurture ourselves and putting ourselves first not only models this
self-nurturing activity for our children, it will strengthen us to step into
our lives with a sense of power, health and wholeness. And above all else eat good nourishing food,
like homemade soup! All these things
will help reduce your incidence of breast cancer, and go a long way towards
increasing health.
