I downloaded a free book for my Kindle that I thought you might find very informative and perhaps even lifesaving. It's called Fight Now: Eat and Live Proactively Against Breast Cancer and is written by Aaron Tabor, MD, with Lillie Shockney, RN. What drew me to this book in the first place was that I have a cousin who has been battling breast cancer for quite a while and I also have a student who was recently diagnosed with the disease for the second time. Both are doing pretty well at the moment, but it's still a very frightening thing.
I learned so much from this little book! Dr. Tabor talks in depth about what research has shown regarding risk factors and who can get the disease (anyone--even men!), and he also discusses what we can do to try to prevent breast cancer from striking. You wouldn't believe the simple changes you can make in your life that can make a difference. His statements are backed by studies and research by well-known medical authorities.
Did you know that people who develop breast cancer usually have low levels of vitamin D3? A deficiency of Vitamin D3 can actually increase your breast cancer risk by as much as 70%! I knew it helped the body absorb calcium much more efficiently, but I had no idea that D3 was so powerful. Now I know why my own doctor insisted I take a Vitamin D3 supplement after a simple blood test indicated my D3 levels were low. I'm definitely less likely to fuss over regular testing now!
Other dietary changes can make a big difference, too. Everyone knows that healthy eating habits lead to a healthier life, right? But were you aware that certain foods tend to protect the body from breast cancer? Apples, walnuts, carrots, green tea, flaxseeds, broccoli, pomegranates, and foods containing Omega-3s are extremely beneficial. Avoiding foods with a high-glycemic index--sugary, starchy foods--can go a long way toward reducing your chances of developing the disease. Maintaining an active lifestyle, losing excess pounds, and moderate use of alcohol helps. This is all research-based, but if you think about it, there's a lot of common sense involved, too.
There is so much more to this book than I've mentioned here. I've just shown you the "tip of the iceberg", so to speak. Dr. Tabor has a website dedicated to the latest news and discoveries. Go to http://www.fightBCnow.com. However, you can download Fight Now: Eat and Live Proactively Against Breast Cancer directly from Amazon right now. If you don't have a Kindle, I believe you can download directly to your computer. You may need to make a free Amazon account, but that takes only moments and is well worth the effort. Click here to download your free book.
By the way, sorry I've been away for so long. I do hope to be able to pop back in and see you all again often. I've missed you!!
Sherry
