Chia Seeds: New Super Food for Health
Monday, May 11th, 2009
I have been espousing the wonders of ground flax seeds for breast, heart and bowel health for years. Now I want to help you to explore a new “super food,” Chia seeds. Yes, the same seeds that give us furry green pets can help spring cleanse our bowel, pump us with Omega 3 fatty acids (linolenic acid), provide us with protein and calcium (as much as 2%milk), and hydrate us. This ancient (Aztec) food source is rich in insoluble and soluble fiber, which have been shown to lower risks of breast and colon cancer, lower blood sugar, triglyceride and cholesterol, and boost the immune system.
Chia seeds are tiny, white or black (both are equally beneficial) and found in most whole food stores. They are amongst the highest plant source for essential omega 3 fatty acids, important for stable moods, and hormone function. They are inexpensive and because they swell, like tapioca, have been used as a satisfying food source in weight loss and very helpful for IBS, constipation, and as part of any detox program.
Drink them with warmed almond milk in the morning, add them to cereals, soups, or smoothies. Check out www.eatchia.com for information and recipes.
0 Comments | Permalink | Posted in super foods, Bone Health, Breast Cancer, Cardiovascular
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Breast Lumps and the WHI Study:
Guess What, We Are Not Horses!
Friday, April 11th, 2008
Okay another week of misleading headlines. The confusion stems from a study that is about to be published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI)2 (View PDF). The alarming headline, “Estrogen Linked To Breast Lumps”, would lead you to believe that this is a new finding and that the researchers studied natural bioidentical estrogen and not synthetic horse estrogen, right? Wrong. They examined data from the World Health Institute (WHI) study published in 2002, which involved a group of women who used only Premarin, derived from horse estrogen, and keep in mind that this group had had hysterectomies, so we already know from the get-go that their hormone balance was not great.
The WHI gave this group of women horse estrogen (yes estrogen designed for 1200 lb mares and known to be much more potent than a woman’s own natural estrogen). And, guess what? These women had an increase in breast lumps. Go figure. They really should have titled the article, “Horse Estrogen Use Causes Breast Lumps” or “Estrogen not Properly Balanced with Progesterone Increases Breast Lumps”.
As I discuss in my book The Natural Hormone Makeover, breast lumps will occur if estrogen is in excess of progesterone. The women in this study did not have any progesterone to oppose the extra strong stimulating effects of Premarin, horse estrogen. Progesterone is naturally produced by women to counteract estrogen’s stimulating effects on the breast.
I have posted a great article on my website from Climacteric1 (View PDF) which shows that using transdermal natural estradiol with natural progesterone does not increase breast cancer or breast disease. Show this to your doctor. Other nations have been using natural hormones for years. When are more US physicians going to start? Ladies, when you begin to demand natural hormones. In order to stop being treated like horses we may need to act more like cougars!
1Lignieres, B. de, et al., “Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy and the Risk of Breast Cancer in a French Cohort Study of 3175 Women”, Climacteric 5, no. 4 (2002): 332-340. View PDF
2Rohan, TE, et al., “Conjugated Equine Estrogen and Risk of Benign Proliferative Breast Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial”, Journal of the National Cancer Institute 100, no. 8 (2008): 563-571. View PDF
0 Comments | Permalink | Posted in Breast Disease, Breast Lumps, Natural Hormones, Progesterone, Breast Cancer, Estrogen, WHI Study, Hormones
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Vitamin D: More Than Bone Heath
Monday, December 10th, 2007
Recent studies have established the importance of vitamin D for cancer prevention. It is now clear that all women should have their vitamin D levels monitored for bone health and for cancer prevention. This is especially important for premenopausal women to prevent breast cancer. Here is why:A study of 1180 women (older than 55 years) showed that calcium and 1100 IU/day of vitamin D resulted in higher vitamin D levels and half as many cancers over a 4 year period, compared with women who used placebo (pills without any vitamin D or calcium). (Am J Clin Nut 2007. 85:1586-1591)
A second study was published from data derived from the Women’s Health Initiative. This study showed that vitamin D and calcium supplementation lowered the incidence of breast cancer in premenopausal women. No change was found for the 20,000 postmenopausal women; however, the vitamin D dose was small, only 400 U/day, and these older women were likely deficient at the start of the study. Unfortunately, vitamin D levels were not followed (as they were in the earlier mentioned study) so there is no way to determine if vitamin D deficiency was improved in both groups. (Arch Intern Med, 2007. 167: 1050-1059).
Less than ten years ago vitamin D used to be considered a potentially dangerous vitamin supplement, and recommendations were to use no more than 400 U/day. Research has since shown that an estimated 60% of all women in the United States, regardless of where they live, are deficient in vitamin D, and it can be supplemented safely in 1000- 2000 U/day (many doctors are using much higher doses). Vitamin D is vital to build strong bones and is also important for immune function and cancer prevention.
Ask your doctor for a blood test of your 25 OH D level, and aim for a level of 50 nmol/L. How much vitamin D you take depends on how low your level is. Taking 1,000 U/day will raise your level by 15-25 nmol/L. The best form to take is cholecalciferol, D3 (preferred to ergocalciferol D2). Always take vitamin D with food to improve absorption. If you are taking it and your level is not improving consider taking a pancreatic enzyme (that contains lipase) with your meals. Also remember vitamin D is made from sunlight on our skin- so get 20 to 30 minutes of outdoor sunlight every day if possible.
2 Comments | Permalink | Posted in Bone Loss, Breast Cancer, Menopause, Osteopenia, WHI Study, Osteoporosis, Estrogen
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