Fight Breast Cancer With Diet, Exercise and a Multiple Vitamin

The human breast is a gland that contains milk ducts, lobes, fatty tissue, and a network of lymphatic vessels. Cancerous tumors can develop in virtually any part of the breast and are most often detected when a woman feels a lump. Cancerous lumps are generally firm, never go away, and are usually pain-free. The majority of breast lumps are not cancerous, but there is no exact way to tell without a professional’s examination. A lump that seems to be growing or that does not move when it is pushed may be cancerous. However, it may also be caused by normal fibrocystic changes during the menstrual cycle. A biopsy is necessary to identify the lump. Breast cancer can also cause a yellow, bloody, or clear discharge from the nipple.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. The American Cancer society estimates that 267,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, and about 39,800 deaths occurred from this disease. The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer for American women is about one in nine. Many surveys suggest that it is the health problem that is most feared by women. However, if breast cancer is detected early, the five-year-and-beyond survival rate is at about 95 percent.

There is no single answer as to what causes breast cancer, and it is reported that about 60 percent of breast cancers develop without any known risk factors. Researchers believe that estrogen in the most likely culprit in many cases of breast cancer. Estrogen promotes cellular growth in the tissues of the breasts and reproductive organs, and cancer is a disorder of unrestrained cellular growth. Some of the risk factors for breast cancer include onset of menstruation before age nine, menopause after age fifty-five, having a first child after age forty, and having no or few children. The one thing that all of these risk factors have in common is that they result in the breasts being exposed to more estrogen for longer periods of time.

Men can also get breast cancer, but they account for less than 1 percent of breast cancer cases. While it occurs less frequently, breast cancer in men usually is diagnosed at a later, and therefore more serious stage because neither physicians or patients tend to suspect it. About 1,500 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the United States, with 400 dying from it. Cure rates are generally the same for men as they are for women.

It is crucial to detect breast cancer in its earliest and most curable stage. By making healthy changes in diet and lifestyle, examining your breasts regularly, and having regular mammograms can increase your chances of avoiding or overcoming breast cancer.

The following nutrients are helpful in preventing and dealing with breast cancer: coenzyme Q10, colostrum, DMG, essential fatty acids, garlic, germanium, melatonin, a multi-mineral complex, a multi-vitamin complex, natural beta-carotene, proteolytic enzymes, selenium, shark cartilage, SOD, vitamin B complex, vitamin C with bioflavonoids, vitamin E, maitake, vitamin D3, acidophilus, kelp, l-carnitine, l-cysteine, Pycnogenol, raw glandular complex, and SAMe. Additionally, the following herbs may be beneficial: astragalus root, Echinacea, bilberry, burdock root, ginger, green tea, peppermint, red clover, black cohosh, chasteberry, red clover, turmeric, dandelion root, milk thistle, chaste tree berry, ginseng, curcumin, rosemary extract, lycopene, sulphoraphane, green tea extract, garlic, ginkgo biloba, licorice, and silymarin.

Vitamin supplements can help support the bodys nutritional needs and in so doing help the body fight cancer. Changing ones diet, exercise and vitamin supplements can help one prevent the onset of breast cancer and extend ones life span. Natural vitamins and herbs are available at your local or internet health food store at reasonable prices. Always consult your doctor before adding vitamins and herbs to your diet while on prescription medications.

*Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Vitamins and herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications.

Are You Getting Enough Vitamin B?

Vitamins are chemical compounds the body cannot make itself and that must therefore be supplied. Besides fat, carbohydrates, proteins (amino acids), minerals and trace elements, we must ingest these with our foods or with supplements.

Vitamin B complex comprises a number of vitamins that exist as a family. They should not be taken individually. In this modern era, millions of people suffer from a deficiency of vitamin B for several reasons, chief among which are: stress, processed foods in the diet, toxins, refined sugar, drugs, cooking, malnutrition.

Deficiency of vitamin B leads to anemia and neurological disorders; deficiency in children can cause profound damage, much of which is reversible.

A normal level of serum vitamin B does not guarantee adequacy, methylmalonic acid concentrations (either serum or urine) are a much more reliable metabolic measure of vitamin B metabolism. People following a pure vegetarian (vegan) diet are at high risk (>50%) for metabolicvitamin B deficiency.

Vitamin B is found in all animal products (liver, muscle flesh, eggs, and dairy products are sources, in order from richest to poorest sources).

Plant foods contain little if any active vitamin B; produce grown in soil fertilized with cow dung may contain more B than commercially grown produce.Other good B vitamin sources are: baked potato, banana, spinach, soybeans, wheat germ, cantaloupe, tuna in water, navy beans, bok choy, avocado, sunflower seeds, chicken breast, turnip greens etc.

Probiotic supplements are not a sufficient source of vitamin B; some products work better than others. A deficiency of vitamins B can increase your risk of heart disease. They help keep a substance called homocysteine in check by breaking it down. If the homocysteine levels go too high, your blood may clot easier which increases the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke.

There are many ways to getting enough B vitamins: eat a variety of fresh fruits and veggies, choose dark green leafy types, not pale green ones, eat whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat pasta, whole grain cereals, oatmeal and barley instead of those with refined white flour, eat beans (or split peas) every day.

The Importance of the Vitamin B12

Known as cobalamin, Vitamin B12 can help the body maintain good health. Vitamin B12 is very important in the bodies food to energy conversion process. It is required to help carbohydrates, fats and proteins convert into energy. Vitamin B12 is also essential in the prevention of heart disease and other illnesses by maintaining healthy red blood cells. Vitamin B12 will also help build up white blood cells which strengthens the immune system. In addition, an added benefit of vitamin B12 is related to the nerve cells, it helps make a protective covering for the nerve cells. The protective barrier of the nerve cells is a fatty layer that is most important in the brain.

Despite the benefits of vitamin B12 your body only needs small amounts of this vitamin. Foods such as liver, eggs and other animal products contain vitamin B12. Even though small amounts are required you should have a regular intake of vitamin B12. However, without the intrinsic factor in the stomach, vitamin B12 can’t be used easily by the human body. The intrinsic factor must be sufficient enough to absorb vitamin B12 otherwise the absorption will be hard. The proper amount of vitamin B12 can be obtained through the food we consume. The body will use the amount of B12 needed and then recycle the rest. However, vegetarians need to take B12 supplements since vegetables don’t contain proper amounts of vitamin B12.

Anemia is a common effect in those who have a deficiency of vitamin B12. This is because there isn’t enough B12 to help produce enough red blood cells. However, anemia can also result in the intestine doesn’t have a sufficient intrinsic factor. The intrinsic factor can drop below sufficient in people over fifty which makes these people more susceptible to anemia as well as other diseases. In addition, children and women who are pregnant have an increased risk of developing anemia. Vitamin B12 is needed to help support a child’s growth and the growth of a baby inside a woman’s womb.

Vitamin B9 Benefits, Sources and Deficiency

Vitamin B9, is also referred to as folic acid or folacin or folate; and its chemical name is pteroylglutamic acid. Folic acid is the parent compound of a large group of naturally occurring, structurally related compounds collectively known as the folates.

In 1941, a substance was extracted from spinach leaves and named folic acid – from the Latin word “folium” for leaf, which was found to be useful in the cure for anaemia.

B9 is a water-soluble vitamin, which is absorbed from the small intestine, carried by the bloodstream and stored in the body (liver), but not in large amounts. The body uses what ever amount of folic acid it needs and excretes the extra through urine.

Benefits of Vitamin B9 -

* B9 is important for the production, growth and maintenance of new cells – especially during pregnancy and infancy when cell reproduction is extremely rapid. Both adults and children need folates to manufacture normal red blood cells and to prevent anemia.

* Required during early pregnancy to prevent birth defects, including problems with the spine (neural tube defects called spina bifida) and brain. Pregnant women who do not get adequate amounts of folate are also more likely to have premature babies or babies with low birth weight.

* Folic acid is required for red blood cell formation, energy production as well as the forming of amino acids. Necessary for creating heme – the iron containing substance in haemoglobin, which is imperative for oxygen transport.

* It works as a coenzyme in DNA and RNA synthesis, therefore important for normal cell division. This is why folic acid is so important during pregnancy, for embryonic and foetal nerve cell development.

* Vitamin B9, in association with vitamin B12 help convert homocysteine (a blood toxin which leads to cholesterol in heart muscles), thereby reducing blood levels of homocysteine and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Increased homocysteine levels result in weak bones leading to fractures.

* B9 is involved in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which regulate mood, sleep and hunger.

* B9 is also linked to play an important role in prevention of certain cancers – lung, colon, and cervical.

Deficiency of Vitamin B9 –

Deficiency of folic acid, along with Vitamin B12 deficiency, causes a type of darkish brown, blotchy pigmentation that normally appears on the face, inside of mouth, on the thighs, and on the palms.

Folate deficiency can cause diarorhea, anaemia, loss of appetite, heart burn, constipation, weight loss, sore and swollen tongue and a variety of other symptoms.

In a developing foetus, folic acid deficiency may cause birth defects such as spina bifida (neural tube defects) and anencephaly.

Symptoms of deficiency include:

· Anaemia

· Gastrointestinal problems

· Memory problems

· Premature greying of hair

· Impaired brain and nerve functions

· Birth defects

· Mental sluggishness

Who are at risk of B9 deficiency?

· Alcoholics

· Smokers

· Aged people due to poor absorption of Vitamin B9 by their body

· People who are deficient in vitamin B12

· People with usually high production of red cells (hemolytic anemia).

· Pregnant and lactating women

Daily recommended dosage –

Men need around 200 micrograms per day of folic acid, and women need around 180 micrograms per day of folic acid.

If a woman plans to become pregnant, she needs to eat foods rich in or fortified with folic acid. She might also need to take a supplement to get around 400 micrograms per day. Once pregnant, Vitamin B9 intake should be 400 micrograms per day. Lactating mothers need 280 micrograms per day.

Dietary sources of folic acid –

Since folic acid is water-soluble vitamin, (our body absorbs only about half of the folic acid we get from food), and is easily destroyed by microwaving, processing, overcooking, or reheating, it is difficult to get the required RDA from food alone.

Foods that contain good amount of folic acid include -

· Leafy green vegetables such as spinach.

· Lentils

· Brown rice

· Cheese

· Mushrooms

· Liver

· Dry beans, legumes and peas

· Fortified cereals and grain products

· Fortified juices

· Fruits, especially bananas, oranges.

· Brewer’s yeast.

· Milk

· Root vegetables such as carrot, turnip.

Fresh vegetables are better than cooked because heat destroys folic acid. Even storing at room temperature accelerates the loss of this vitamin. Keep vegetables in a dark, cool place and eat them quickly.

Is an overdose of folic acid toxic to the body?

High doses of Vitamin B9 may cause stomach problems, sleep disorders, and skin disorders. It can also cause fits in persons with convulsive disorders.

Over doses of folic acid are known to obstruct with the effectiveness of methotrexate (an anticancer drug used in chemotherapy).

Zinc, estrogen, anticonvulsant drugs, may also not be efficiently absorbed when combined with folic acid.

Fatigue May Be Caused By A Lack of B Vitamins

Vitamin B1, or thiamine, is known as the “morale” vitamin because of its dramatic effect on our nervous system and our mood. Besides supporting the nervous system, it aids in carbohydrate metabolism, enhances our immune system, wards off mosquitoes, helps develop red blood cells, maintains muscle tissue, promotes growth in children and helps control motion sickness. A synthetic version is added to white flour in America in order to ward off beriberi, but it is better to consume the natural form in whole grains. Because thiamin helps with carbohydrate metabolism, it makes energy available for the body, including the brain. So if you are not getting enough thiamine, you may not be feeding your brain enough glucose for it to think well.

Extra Thiamine Requirements

If you are pregnant or nursing, use oral contraceptives, cigarettes or diuretics, you will need more vitamin B1. Those with diets high in refined foods, too much sugar and junk foods and/or alcohol will also have higher requirements for thiamine. Last, but not least, heavy metal pollutants like mercury and stress also use up thiamine in the body and will increase your need for it.

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin B1

Fatigue and insomnia, poor memory, brain function and muscle coordination, headaches, weakness and confusion. Insufficient thiamin has also been linked to mood changes, disorderly thinking, fear and feelings of uneasiness. These are all signs of mental depression that can often affect memory as well.

Food Sources of Vitamin B1

Nutritional yeast, whole grains like whole wheat, brown rice and oatmeal, rice bran, watermelon, asparagus and fresh peas, pork, including ham and beef, legumes, nuts and seeds like sesame seeds.

Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin is Also Important for Energy Production

You may not hear about it as often as vitamin C or E, but vitamin B2 is often deficient in the American diet, and you may be hearing more about it in the years to come. Along with B1, it aids in carbohydrate and fat metabolism, and helps give us energy. It is very good for the eyes and can help prevent corneal ulcers and cataracts. It also helps protect the body from toxicity from drugs as well as chemicals in our environment, a very important function these days. It also promotes healthy skin and helps with psoriasis.

Research also shows that B2 can help neutralize harmful free radicals because of its antioxidant properties. Free radicals are unbalanced molecules in your body that try to balance themselves by stealing electrons from elsewhere in your body. This taking of other electrons can cause damage, and antioxidants quench free radicals by offering an electron of their own. This helps protect other cells in your body and keep them healthier. This may help your body to reduce cholesterol buildup and prevent cancer.

Riboflavin helps many important processes in the body to take place, including helping to turn food into energy. For example, it helps B6 and Folate, other B complex vitamins, to be properly utilized in the body. B2 is also crucial in transforming amino acids into neurotransmitters, which are chemicals used in the brain and needed for proper mood, memory and cognitive skills. Riboflavin also helps the body to make red blood cells.

Extra Vitamin B2 Requirements

Along with B1, you will need more vitamin B2 if you are pregnant or nursing, use oral contraceptives or diuretics. Sulfa drugs can also cause an increased need for B2. Those with diets high in refined foods, too much sugar and junk foods and/or alcohol will also have higher requirements for riboflavin. Exercise, although good for the body in many ways, tends to deplete the body of B2 as well.

Deficiency Symptoms of Riboflavin

Some of the diseases associated with a deficiency in vitamin B2 are: hypothyroidism, severe dermatitis (skin rash), anxiety, diabetes, cataracts, drug abuse, anemia, congenital heart disease and ulcers. Riboflavin deficiency can also cause other vision problems, like blurred vision and light sensitivity, and cracks and redness in the corners of the mouth as well as on the tongue. A deficiency of B2 is often seen at the same time as other B vitamin deficiencies, another reason to not just add more B2 to your diet, but all the B Complex vitamins.

Food Sources of Vitamin B2

Synthetic vitamin B2 is added to white flour and cereals, but synthetic vitamins cannot hope to have the same effects on the body as the whole food nutrient complex. Food sources of B2 include nutritional yeast, whole grains like whole wheat and wild rice, asparagus and broccoli, leafy greens like spinach and turnip greens, yogurt and milk (especially fresh, raw milk), cheeses, liver and kidney, mushrooms and eggs.

Some studies have shown that people who do not consume dairy and meats tend to have a higher risk of a B2 deficiency. Even those who simply do not consume milk tend to have lower levels of Riboflavin. If you need to add more B to your diet, you might also want to consider adding a natural source B vitamin supplement to your diet in the beginning, in order to get your B levels up to where they should be faster.

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