Nutrition and Breast CancerNutrition and Breast Cancer
Pam Woolford BSc(Hons) MSc Nutritional Medicine R Nutr FRSPH
Using food to help protect and Using food to help protect and heal the bodyheal the body
New branch of genetics called epigenetics is showing how diet can influence the on/off switch of genes in the DNA
Use of essential fatty acids to help heal cell membranes from the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Using natural detoxifying foods to help clear chemotoxic drugs from the body
Using Nutrition to Boost Using Nutrition to Boost Immune FunctionImmune Function
Reducing inflammation Supporting immune function especially
when treatment reduces immune functionStress which produces excess cortisol is a
powerful immune suppressantExercise which produces endorphins are
immune enhancers
Controlling InflammationControlling Inflammation
Include more omega 3 fatty acidsAnti oxidantsVitamin D found in oily fish, egg yolks
mushroom and butter
Omega 3Omega 3Best source found in oily Fish: Sardines Herring Pilchards Salmon Mackeral Trout Fresh Tuna ( not tinned)At least 3 servings per weekEspecially while undergoing
chemotherapy as helps chemo drug enter tumour cells
AVOIDAVOID
Trans fats found in hydrogenised fats such as margarine and processed foods
High GI foods such as white bread, white rice and sugar
Foods which control Cancer Foods which control Cancer Growth/DetoxifyGrowth/Detoxify
Shallots, onions,garlic, soya beans, cruciferous vegetables, Citrus fruits, spices, green tea and many herbs.
Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, brussel sprouts, kale,radish, spinach,watercress, cauliflower and broccoli also slow down the rate of growth of cancer cells and also help in the 2 stage process in the liver of detoxifying drugs
More Anti Cancer foodsMore Anti Cancer foods
Mushrooms especially Shiike, reishi,enoki
Carotenoids found in yellow/orange fruit and vegetables
Red vegetables and fruit; acai berries,beetroot, blueberries,figs etc
Fermented foods such as yoghurt, miso, sauerkraut
Olive Oil Herbs Coconut, oil,
flesh,water and milk Sea vegetables
Diet high in fruit and Diet high in fruit and VegetablesVegetables
Diets high in fruit and vegetables reduces incidence of hormone cancers
Antioxidant reduces damage to DNA High Fibre reduces absorption of xeno oestrogens Brassicas ( brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower,
cabbage) may inhibit oestrogen sensitive cells. Buy organic fruit and vegetables if you eat them
without peeling them. Buy organic carrots especially.
ANTIOXIDANTSANTIOXIDANTS
Foods which contain vitamins C and E such as fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts
Selenium found in brazil nuts. Supplement 200 microgrames per day
Zinc found in meat and sea food
AntioxidantsAntioxidants
Found in:
The colours in fruit and vegetables Carrots, peppers, celery,
onions, broccoli,kale, apples, berries,grapes, parsley, asparagus.
Tea esp Green tea Red wine Real ale ( found in the hops) Chocolate ( found in the coca
bean)-must be high percentage
Antioxidant-LycopeneAntioxidant-Lycopene
Particularly beneficial for breast cancer. Found in concentrated tomato products
What it has been shown to do on breast cancer cells:
Stops cancer cell growth Binds tumour cells
together tightly to stop them breaking off to form secondaries.
Dietary Protein & FatsDietary Protein & Fats
Limit animal protein – substitute pulses, lentils, tufu etc.
Avoid animal fats, cut fat off meat, buy good cuts of meat, ideally organic, avoid cheap meat products such as sausages, meat pies
Use Olive Oil and butter avoid spreads
Cell membrane repairCell membrane repair
Phospholipids which repair:
Fish oil
Nuts & seeds
Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
Meat
Egg yolk/liver
OestrogenOestrogen
Oestrogen plays a critical role in the cause of breast cancer
High oestrogen levels are linked to a high risk of breast cancer
Low serum oestrogen levels are found in woman from low risk areas (rural China & Japan)
Phyto oestrogensPhyto oestrogens
Phyto oestrogens from diet in the region of 109-158 mgs per day can decrease serum oestrogen levels and also alter the metabolism of oestrogen to a more favourable level. (Equal to 5 servings of soya per day)
Phyto oestrogensPhyto oestrogensIn the western diet phyto
oestrogens are found in: Cereals Nuts Pulses eg. Chick peas, kidney
beans Highest amount found in linseed
(Flax seed) Real ale Pear Asparagus Broccoli carrots
Phyto oestrogens-SoyaPhyto oestrogens-Soya
High intake of Soya in areas of low risk ( rural China & Japan)
High levels of the Soya Isoflavones in the blood influence the length of the menstrual cycle in these women. Longer cycles give a lower lifetime exposure to oestrogen.
Also influences the developing breast tissue at puberty.
Phyto oestrogen - SoyaPhyto oestrogen - SoyaThe phyto oestrogen in Soya are called Isoflavones – how
they work: The bind to oestrogen sites in the body and give a weak
oestrogen effect-this blocks the action of xeno oestrogens and also excess oestrogen made by the body.
This has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. There are a substantial amount of experiments to show the
anti cancer effect of soya isoflavones-but limited data from humans. Although big trials underway in Europe and the US.
Soya IsoflavonesSoya Isoflavones
Made from the Soya bean: Soya milk Soya ice cream Soya yogurts Tufu TVP Fermented Soy- Miso,
tempeh ( like a soya bovil) Fermented Soy is the richest source and better absorbed by the body
Soya – now the bad newsSoya – now the bad news
Wide individual variability in response to a phyto oestrogen rich diet.
Absorption of phyto oestrogens depends on your gut bacteria
Antibiotics blocks metabolism of phyto oestrogens
Do not use Soya especially fermented Soy if taking Tomoxafen
Soya and Gut BacteriaSoya and Gut Bacteria
Increase your friendly bacteria in the gut by the use of probiotics these bacteria ferment the soya to allow the body to absorb it.
Soya and Gut BacteriaSoya and Gut Bacteria
Foods to encourage the growth of friendly bacteria:
Green bananas Cold cooked new potatoes Onions Artichokes Cereals eg museli Use of FOS supplement
Dairy Free CalciumDairy Free Calcium
Calcium enriched orange juice
Soya milk Soya yogurts Sesame Seeds Tahini paste Small fish with bones eg
pichards, sardines Green vegetables eg
cabbbage
Fatigue/ nauseaFatigue/ nausea
Home made nutritious soups
Use snacks, small meals rather than 1 large meal
Porridge is easy to digest try with sweetened almond milk
Herb teas such as peppermint or ginger
Avoid strong smells, red meat which can taste metallic, try cold food
Difficulty with eatingDifficulty with eating
Use vegetable/fruit juice
Use soft healthy foods such as mashed banana, root veg,soups, softer braised meats, stewing fruit
Avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods which could irritate the mouth
Use sips of water between each bite to help with swallowing
AlcoholAlcohol
Linked to 4% increase risk of breast cancerHigh intake affects liverGood liver function needed to excrete
oestrogen from the bodyRed wine contains an antioxidantReal ale contains an antioxidant and phyto
oestrogens, and is low in alcohol.
Xeno oestrogensXeno oestrogens
Oestrogens in the environment Especially found in plastic/pesticides Do not use plastic bags, boxes etc to touch foods
which contain fat as the xeno oestrogen will go into the fat from the plastic. Eg. Salad cream-use glass bottles, wrap cheese in greaseproof paper
Choose organic fruit/vegetables to reduce risk from pesticides
Stressors on the bodyStressors on the body
OverweightEnvironment pollutants, tobacco smoke,
alcohol promote free radicals which initiate cancer cells
Cancer cells have been shown to deliberately produce oxidative stress around them to destroy normal cells and take their nutrients
Healthy EatingHealthy Eating
Include daily: Fruit and vegetables Protein at each meal Pulses Wholegrains Healthy fats
Moderate amounts: Dairy and soya Avoid: Refined sugar/grains Unhealthy fats Processed meats BBQ/grilled food