March is National Nutrition Month [1]!
As we move out of those cozy winter months, the turning of the season is a perfect time to renew our commitment to eating right for our Breast Cancer journey. I will never “prescribe” a cookie-cutter diet that applies to all; we are all such unique individuals, such a thing just doesn’t exist! There ARE some basic guidelines—and firm research to back them up—which we can ALL benefit from as we move into the sunnier side of the year!
But first, the science…
New Research about Food and Genes Expression
I speak a lot about “epigenetics,” especially as it pertains to cancer. In very basic terms, epigenetics [2] is the study of how external factors affect our genetic makeup. These factors can be environmental– like air pollution, contaminated water, hormones in meat, or pesticides in produce. Or they can be more “internal,” such as high stress reactions or the emotional wounds we have not yet healed.
The main thing about epigenetics is that you are not BORN with them. Through specific biological and chemical mechanisms, however, they DO affect how your DNA expresses itself. For example, epigenetic factors like how you eat or how you handle stress can either turn on anti-cancer genes [3], or turn them off.
Currently, there are about 117 million Americans (that’s 47% of the population) who suffer from chronic disease, including cancer. The good news is that 95% of these conditions are epigenetic in nature. They aren’t the result of the “bad genes” you inherited from your mother!
This also means there are MANY actions you can take right now to turn your condition around— and changing how you eat is probably the MOST IMPORTANT of all.
In fact, new research [4] from Cambridge University that focused on the metabolic system discovered the power that nutrition has in gene expression. The researchers found that how we eat alters how proteins are produce in “almost every gene in our body.”
Food Guidelines We Can ALL Follow for Healing
Of course, as the 7 Essentials System™ [5] teaches, food is not the only factor when it comes to healing cancer– but it’s a big one. Here are 4 Simple Steps you can take to turn your eating and your health around:
- Cut the sugar. Sugar feeds cancer [6]— need I say more? If you get a sugar craving, make green apples, blueberries or a little sprinkle of Stevia your go-to’s…and make sure you have plenty of them on hand to avoid slip-up’s!
- Eat more greens. Besides a plethora of vitamins and minerals, leafy greens such as kale contain chlorophyll [7], which scientists now believe directly prevents cancer and other chronic diseases. Commit to consuming one hearty, refreshing green smoothie [8] a day!
- Consider targeted cancer-healing substances. There are so many substances [9] out there that can put you into “cancer healing” mode. If I had to pick just one supplement for healing cancer, however, it would be Calibr8 [10] from Clar8ty [11]. To me, there is no doubt as to the research-backed evidence of this product’s effectiveness. With high doses of cancer-busting sulforaphane in each serving, I consider Calibr8 [10] a “must have” in anyone’s toolbox.
- Don’t eat when you are stressed. While we may think a lot about what we eat, we may not think that much about how we eat. Taking a deep breath, settling the mind and then sitting down to a meal can greatly improve how you absorb your food. Stress [12] has been directly linked [13] to gastro-intestinal disorders. Remember that 80% of your immune system cells reside in the gut!
All the steps above have to do with building immunity, detoxifying the body and lowering inflammation—and they can all lead to YOU turning on those “cancer healing” genes inside of you. Make a commitment this season to a spring-time road to health!
Dr. Veronique Desaulniers, better known as Dr. V, is the founder of the 7 Essentials System ™, a step-by-step guide that teaches you exactly how to prevent and heal Breast Cancer Naturally. To get your F.R.E.E. 7 day mini e-course, and to receive her weekly action steps and inspiring articles on the power of Natural Medicine, visit https://breastcancerco.wpengine.com/ [14]