Nutrition & Integrative Therapies for Breast Cancer

According to current breast cancer statistics, approximately one in eight women living in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American women. More than 3.8 million women living in the US have a history of breast cancer. Although a family history doubles the risk of breast cancer, 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history. Risk factors include a sister, mother, or daughter that have been diagnosed, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, and chemical exposure. You can read more detailed information on all of these risk factors for breast cancer to understand ways to reduce your risk.

These statistics are sobering. The reality for women is that most of us know at least someone who has been diagnosed or undergoing treatment. Additionally, many other women suffer from breast-related conditions including pain, fibrocystic breasts, benign lumps, and nipple discharge. The good news is that we now understand multiple ways to prevent breast cancer from occurring and reoccurring. Whether you are undergoing treatment, have a family history, or want to be proactive about your breast health, many integrative therapies can help. Here is a list of nutrition, supplementation, and other integrative recommendations helpful for breast health and breast cancer treatment:

Reducing High-Glycemic Foods for Breast Health

In general, breast tissue is uniquely sensitive to high-refined carbohydrates (i.e. sugar) which in turn raises insulin. A diet with a high-glycemic index in combination with low-fiber and low-nutrient foods lead to cellular inflammation. Studies suggests that a high-glycemic diet places women at higher risk for breast cancer. However, growing research shows that diets rich in antioxidants and minerals such as zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and others reduce breast cancer risk.

How do you get more antioxidants into your diet? Choose foods of color from a variety of pigments from the rainbow. Aim for eight to ten servings of fruits and vegetables each day. A low-sugar and high-fiber diet leads to the elimination of excess estrogen and reduction of cellular inflammation. Additionally, include beneficial foods such as lentils, beans, and cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables include cabbage, broccoli, kale, Brussel sprouts, turnips, and collard greens. This class of vegetables contains indole-3-carbinol, which has been shown to bind to breast tissue, thus making the body’s own estrogen less likely to promote cancerous growths.

Breast Cancer and the Trans-Fatty Acid Connection

Multiple research studies dating back to the 1970s suggests that a diet high in animal fat and total fat is linked to higher rates of breast cancer rates and invasive breast cancers. Research studies also show a clear connection between trans-fatty consumption and breast cancer. Studies suggest that the combination of a high-fat and high-sugar diet in combination with a low nutrient and antioxidant diet are the most problematic for breast tissue.

What type of fat should you eat? Research suggests that higher levels of omega-3 intake lowers breast cancer risk, reduces reoccurrence, and improves breast cancer treatment. Omega-3 fatty-acids have also been established in multiple studies to have anti-inflammatory properties. Choose vegetarian sources such as avocados, nuts, and seeds. Cold-water fish such as wild Atlantic salmon and sardines also contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. If you choose fish as your main omega-3 source, be sure to choose fish with lower levels of mercury by comparison. Visit the Environmental Working Groups’s Seafood Consumer Guide to learn more.

Breast Health and Phytoestrogens: Should I eat soy or not?

The research about breast health, soy, and phytoestrogens has been confusing to say the least. Phytoestrogens have weak estrogenic activity which tend to block estrogen receptors from excessive estrogen stimulation. Soy-based foods were once though to increase the risk of breast cancer. Several research studies now suggest that the opposite may be true. Asian women who have eaten a traditional diet from a young age, including tofu, natto, tempeh, and miso tend to excrete higher levels of estrogen and have lower breast cancer risk. Current research suggests that these benefits may not translate to the Western world. In other words, these foods must be consumed in the early years of life to reap their protective benefits for breast health.

Current data indicates that eating moderate levels of soy does not increase the risk of breast cancer or worsen outcomes for patients undergoing treatment. Research studies have gone further to show that soy intake reduces the risk of recurrence. So, should you eat soy or not? Here’s my take: If you eat soy products, choose organic and non-processed forms including edamame, tofu, and natto. One to two servings a day is considered a moderate intake. Include these foods with other forms of vegetarian protein, foods of color, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Include Lignans and Iodine for Breast Health

Lignans are a type of polyphenol found in seeds, nuts, and whole grains. Polyphenols are a large family of compounds found in plants with natural antioxidant properties. Flaxseeds have the highest concentration of lignans. During clinical trials, researchers concluded that flaxseed has the potential to reduce the growth of tumors in patients with breast cancer with postmenopausal benefitting the most from lignan intake.

Increasing your intake of iodine may also be helpful according to research. Iodine-rich foods include sea vegetables (kelp & seaweeds), cranberries, navy beans, strawberries, and potatoes. Researchers note the relatively high intake of iodine in Japanese women along with the population’s relatively low breast cancer rates. Data indicates that the average Japanese consumption of iodine is about 190 to 229 ug/day. The average intake for American women is consistently lower with studies suggesting that overall iodine intake in the US is decreasing.

A word of caution here: If you are currently taking medication for thyroid management, consult with a health care practitioner before changing levels of iodine in your diet. Iodine is closely related to thyroid function and may affect appropriate medication levels.

Foods to Avoid for Breast Health

Currently, no definitive research studies exist linking dairy consumption with breast pain or breast cancer. However, many women report an improvement with breast pain or fibrocystic breasts once eliminating dairy. If you do include dairy in your diet, choose organic options. Studies on breast health and caffeine are mixed. Similar to dairy, many patients report an improvement in breast pain and fibrocystic breasts after eliminating caffeine. Caffeinated products include coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, and decaffeinated coffee.

Limited studies do show that the elimination of caffeine-containing products have a positive affect on fibrocystic breasts. Caffeine is a type of methylxanthine, a molecule naturally present in tea leaves, yerba mate, coffee beans, cocoa beans, and kola nuts. The idea is that the elimination of methylxanthines in the diet may prevent benign changes in the breast tissue in some women. When it comes to alcohol and breast cancer, multiple research studies over decades are clear. Consuming more than three alcoholic drinks per week increases the risk of breast cancer by approximately 15%. Each additional drink per week increases the risk rate by another 10%.

Vitamin D Supplementation for Breast Cancer Prevention

The medical and scientific community is still debating what is considered to be normal versus optimal for Vitamin D3 levels. Levels over 30 ng/mL are generally considered to be normal. However, levels in the range of 40-60 ng/mL are found to be protective for the majority of diseases including breast cancer. Research shows that low Vitamin D levels are associated with an increase in breast cancer risk. Additional studies show that low Vitamin D levels also lead to poorer prognosis for women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. When in doubt, have your levels tested to find out what your baseline Vitamin D levels look like. Supplement for 4-6 week periods and retest until your levels fall within the optimal range for breast health.

Coenzyme Q10 and Other Breast Health Supplements

In addition to Vitamin D, preliminary research is starting to look at the role of various antioxidants and minerals. Researchers are also interested in lactobacillus as this type of probiotic is specifically related to estrogen metabolism in the bowel. However, one of the most compelling research studies is related to Coenzyme Q10 and breast cancer. Coenzyme Q10 is a natural substance found in our cells necessary for the production of ATP-the energy required by all cells in the body.

In the study, thirty-two patients with “high risk” breast cancer were given a combination of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and 90 mg of COQ10. Six of the thirty-two patients showed partial tumor regression. In one of these six cases, the dosage of CoQ10 was increased to 390 mg. In one month, the tumor was no longer palpable and in another month, mammography confirmed the absence of tumor. Subsequent studies also show that COQ10 reduces inflammation, reduces fatigue, and improves the overall quality of life for breast cancer patients.

Integrative Therapies for Breast Cancer

Integrative therapies for breast health reduce chemotherapy side effects, relieve breast pain, and improve quality of life. Research studies examining the benefits of mindfulness, exercise, and massage for breast health are numerous. For example, one study found that massage therapy reduces anxiety and pain levels as well as the need for pain medication.

Research has also found biofeedback to improve emotional well-being and quality of sleep post breast cancer treatment. Studies on reiki have found patients to have less pain and anxiety. Last but not least, acupuncture is a widely used adjunctive treatment for breast cancer and other breast conditions including breast pain.

Acupuncture for Post-Chemotherapy Nausea & More

Acupuncture has long been established in research to reduce post-chemotherapy nausea. Additionally, studies show that acupuncture is effective for improving quality of life, pain, and fatigue. Acupuncture is also effective for common side effects of breast cancer treatment including hot flashes and sleep disturbances. Similar to massage and reiki, acupuncture is helpful for the treatment of anxiety as well as improving recovery from breast surgery. Acupuncturists often use a combination of the integrative therapies mentioned above in conjunction with traditional treatment, tailoring each session to the patient.

If you found this article helpful, you may also enjoy our Women’s Health Book List or Top 10 Women’s Health Reasons to Try Acupuncture.

More About OMBE

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