A: We tend to think of culinary herbs as flavorful recipe enhancers, but their beneficial nutrients extend well beyond adding zest to your food. For a generous dose of phytochemicals (protective chemicals found in plants) and antioxidants, consider oregano as a valuable addition to many meals. Phytochemicals have anticancer properties that are used in cancer drugs such as Taxol. And according to the American Institute for Cancer Research, oregano has quercetin, a flavonoid that may protect against breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.
This aromatic herb has 42 times more antioxidants than apples, 30 times more than potatoes and 12 times more than oranges. Oregano is also being studied for its antimicrobial properties against common food-borne pathogens like Salmonella and E.
coli.
So go ahead and throw in a dash of fresh oregano on your roasted vegetables. Add it to your homemade or store bought tomato sauces. Whichever way you choose to use this nutritional herb, you’ll feel better knowing its beneficial reach stretches far beyond its enjoyable
flavor!
Turmeric
Q: Is it true that turmeric can be used to prevent the spread of breast cancer?
A: Turmeric, a yellow spice commonly found in curry and yellow mustard, has garnered much scientific attention for its numerous health-promoting benefits.
Studies have suggested that turmeric plays a role in affecting hormones that promote inflammation, which appears to be a cause of many cancers. Others have shown that turmeric may inhibit the spread of breast cancer. While many of these studies have been conducted specifically on mice, researchers continue to recommend turmeric to breast cancer patients.
People with diets rich in turmeric have been found to have lower rates of breast, prostate, lung, and colon
cancer.
Quick Tip:
Limit red meat – Red meat is high in saturated fat. Studies have shown that women who have a large amount of saturated fat in their diets are more likely to develop breast cancer.
Lowering the Risk & Eating Right
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Beller Nutritional Institute would like to share with you our philosophy that proper nutrition creates a healthy foundation for life. It is the ultimate protection plan!
While factors such as age, environment, gender and genetics cannot be controlled, we all possess the power to choose what we eat. Establishing a solid nutritional system that focuses on natural, whole foods is the key to optimum wellness.
Try incorporating new eating habits gradually, one addition at a time.
What’s important is taking the right steps to improve your life and
health, not how fast you can do it. Consider this: changing the way you
live for the better, all begins in your own kitchen!
Prevention is the First Step to Success
As the father of medicine, Hippocrates, said nearly 2,500 years ago, "Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food." Well, it seems he was on to something!
More recently, emerging research has shown that certain foods can potentially provide the body with cancer-fighting nutrients, which may reduce the risk of breast cancer. And, some of the most important of these cancer-fighting foods can be found in the produce section of your local supermarket.
Cruciferous vegetables may be one of your strongest nutritional tools for fighting breast cancer, even to the extent that it’s currently being studied as a chemotherapy agent. Research with humans has suggested that cruciferous vegetables can alter estrogen metabolism in your body so that you are left with less of the stronger estrogens and more of the weaker ones. Health experts believe that having a lower level of the stronger estrogens in the body may help reduce the risk of
recurrence.
Some familiar cruciferous vegetables are:
cabbage
Swiss chard
mustard greens
turnip greens
turnips
watercress
cauliflower
horseradish
Brussels sprouts
collard greens
radishes
broccoli
bok choy
arugula
kale
rutabagas
kohlrabi
You should aim for having at least one serving of cruciferous vegetables daily. That’s only half a cup cooked! When it comes to cruciferous vegetables, a little bit can go a long way.
The Truth about Alcohol
Consumption & Breast Cancer
Word has been circulated recently about the beneficial components of the antioxidant resveratrol that's found in red wine, which has been said to help lower the risk of several types of cancer.
While it is true that scientists have recently conducted studies (on mice), finding that resveratrol may help prevent age-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer, consumers might want to think twice before drinking wine specifically for the nutritional values of resveratrol. One particularly troublesome finding is that red wine has about 1.5 to 3 mgs of resveratrol per liter, and in order to get the equivalent resveratrol dosage given to mice, you would have to drink more than 500 bottles of red wine every day.
Also, extensive studies have shown that excessive consumption of alcohol can increase the risk of breast cancer. One study from the journal
Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention showed that drinking over 20 ounces of alcohol per day (about 1.5 beers, 1.8 glasses of wine, or 1.25 mixed drinks) increased breast cancer risk by 28%. The risk is considerably higher for postmenopausal women. Researchers think alcohol can increase estrogen levels and might help carcinogens penetrate cells where they can promote the development of cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research suggests
no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two a day for men.
Alcohol is only one small piece of the big puzzle when it comes to preventing cancer. Your main focus should be getting regular exercise and
following a nutritional system that promotes long-term wellness. And while resveratrol supplements are available to the public, they are not currently regulated by the FDA, so there’s no way of knowing how much resveratrol they actually contain, and that’s important because it’s still unclear how much resveratrol is safe for human consumption.
While the jury is still out on resveratrol for the prevention of cancer, exciting new research is being done by the Center for Cardiovascular Sciences at Albany Medical College on resveratrol’s protective agents that may aid the heart against the harmful side effects of Adriamycin, a chemotherapy drug treatment used on breast cancer
patients.
Foods to Fight Breast Cancer
For those with locally advanced cancer and receiving chemotherapy,
it’s best to build a nutritional foundation of protective foods before
considering an extreme or extensive supplement regimen. Building a
nutritional foundation is crucial for your long term health goals.
Remember: food is the foundation. If and when you decide to take any supplements, make sure you start with the basics. It’s tempting to go after the magic cure, but supplements are really just the cherry on top.
While you are undergoing breast cancer treatment, is it more important than ever that you eat healthfully. In fact, there is evidence that shows that some cancer treatments may actually be more effective for people who are meeting their nutritional
goals.
Healing Treatment Side Effects
Nausea is a common side effect of chemotherapy. At Beller Nutrition we like to recommend making your own ginger ale to avoid the extra 10 teaspoons of sugar found in most canned ginger ales
(see recipe at side column).
Eat Happy, Be Healthy!
Beller Nutritional Institute
Keep in mind that this information and the tips we provide are a
general overview and do not provide specific guidelines. For a more
comprehensive, hands-on experience that will fit your lifestyle, consult
with a Registered Dietitian who specializes in nutritional oncology or
contact us for an in-office or phone consultation. The Beller Nutritional
System™ is tailored to fit even the busiest lifestyles. We’ll provide
you with product brand names, amounts, places to buy everything, and
visuals to give a hands-on experience that can fit comfortably into any
routine. We’re here to help you every step of the way.
The Kombucha Tea Myth
Kombucha tea, a mixture of fermented, sweetened black tea and a culture of yeasts and bacteria, is claimed to cure a wide variety of illnesses including cancer after the body goes through a detoxification process. But so far, there is no scientific evidence supporting that claim.
One of the biggest concerns with kombucha tea is found in the fermentation process, which has a standing time of approximately 10 days at room temperature, and can lead to the formation of harmful contaminants, such as molds and fungi. According to the American Cancer Society, cases concerning initiated illness, infection and death have been associated with kombucha tea. In addition, due to the high acidic levels found in kombucha tea, it can also interfere with various medications.
It is recommended that those with a weakened immune system, or who are pregnant or nursing should avoid kombucha tea. The potential health concerns associated with this tea are, at this point, more substantial than the possible benefits it may
provide.
The Benefits of Ginger
Ginger (a.k.a. ginger root) is a well-known nutritious spice used for years in many Asian and Middle Eastern dishes.
Its nutrients have been known to provide beneficial anti-inflammatory and digestive support. Studies have confirmed that dried ginger helps suppress nausea and vomiting. And it has also been linked with treating symptoms
for colds, coughs, and congestion.
Below, we’ve created a homemade recipe of Ginger Ale just for
you!
Be-at-Ease Ginger Ale
A Homemade Recipe
Ingredients:
1 tsp. ginger extract
1-2 tsp. agave nectar*
8-12 oz. sparkling water
1 fresh lime
1 sprig of fresh mint
Stir ginger extract, agave nectar and sparkling water together in a 16-ounce glass. Gently squeeze 1 slice of fresh lime into the mixture and garnish with fresh
mint.
Yields: 1 glass serving
*What is agave sweetener? It is a healthy and natural sugar alternative with a very low Glycemic Index. It looks like honey and can easily be found at your local health food
store.
