Detox your Body: How Do I Reduce My Risks of Breast Cancer?

From the Pink and Green Ribbon Campaign
The known risk factors for breast cancer development (including family history, genetics, and prolonged exposure to estrogen.) account for only 30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer. The factors affecting the rest appear to be related to lifestyle choices that we individually have the power to change. Reducing the negative effects of chronic stress and optimizing immune function are powerful tools in minimizing the chances of developing cancer. Effective strategies include:

• If You're Sedentary, Learn to Exercise! - 4r hrs / wk can result in a 37% reduction in risk for breast cancer. Start with 20 minutes of motion a day!
  
• If You Smoke - You Must Quit!
• Increase Your Veggies - 5-8 servings / day. Include green, red, yellow and orange ones to increase your consumption of anti-oxidant compounds.
• Eat More Broccoli - And other brasica veggies including: cabbage, brussel sprouts, kale, and collard greens. These are high in a plant compound that makes estrogen less dangerous to breast tissue.
• Choose Organics - certain herbicides and pesticides on produce as well as hormones found in conventional meats have been implicated in breast cancer.
• Eliminate hydrogenated fats - Choose organic butter instead of margarine, and use olive oil and flax oil instead of refined oils.
• Decrease Sugar - Sugar depresses the immune system.
• Take Multivitamins - A high quality multivitamin for healthy immune, adrenal and thyroid function.
• Improve lymphatic circulation - dry skin brushing and rebounder exercises help your body to eliminate toxins.
• Take off your Bra - wearing a bra for more than 12 hours a day increases breast cancer risk by a factor of 6. Cotton stretchy bras without underwire allow more movement of the breasts, allowing better removal of toxins from the breasts by the lymphatic system.
• Know your Breasts - get to know your breasts with gentle massage when you apply body lotion after a daily bath or shower. Even better is applying castor oil externally on the breasts to increase lymphatic circulation, break down adhesions and increase immune cell activity in the tissues.) Being familiar with the feel of your breast tissue will help you be more comfortable and effective when you perform breast self-exams.
• Limit radiation exposure - Repeated X-ray exposures may increase the risk of breast cancer. Using Infrared Thermography as a screening tool is particularly useful for women in their 20's to 40's since mammography is not seen as being accurate in detecting breast cancer in this age group.
• Practice Self-Nurturance - The breasts symbolize nurturance. Women can be so busy taking care of others that they forget to listen to their own needs. So, breathe deeply and take time to go for a walk.
  

Written By Dr. Patricia J. Wales, ND *with a few minor changes

Cold & Flu: Warming Socks for stuffy nose & congestion

Warming Socks / Wet Socks is a simple home Hydrotherapy treatment that will decrease stuffed up sinuses and congestion in your head and chest.

What you'll need:

• Thin pair of cotton socks, ankle height.
• Thick pair of wool socks (if you don't have wool available a wicking hiking sock can be substituted)

Method:

1. Get ready for bed.
2. Soak cotton socks in cold water. Wring out well, so they are not dripping.
3. Put on wet cotton socks. 
4. Place a thicker pair of wool socks on top of your wet cotton of socks. Your feet will start to warm up immediately.
5. Go straight to bed and leave socks on overnight. They will be dry in the morning - and your congestion will be greatly decreased.
6. For best results try this for 3 nights in a row.
7. (Optional - if your feet are really cold before this treatment, soak your feet in warm water for 5-10 min, dry off and then go to Step #2)

How does this work?

This simple home treatment works by increasing blood circulation, increasing your immune system and deceasing congestion in the upper respiratory tract, head and throat.

By increasing blood circulation to your feet this simple home treatment works to drain congestion from your head. As your body concentrates on warming your feet and more blood moves to your feet, and away from you upper body.

As your body works to warm your feet you will be surprised at how quickly your warm-up and the socks dry out.

If you are also suffering from a cough, I use a product called "Nin Jiom" natural cough syrup. This is a molasses-type of cough medicine that is made from several herbs that help with coughs. It is very sweet tasting and inexpensive to purchase. You can find this at most health food stores, and drug stores.

Other Cold & Flu Treatments:

• Contrast Showers
• Honey Lemon Ginger Tea