Breast health is about maintaining healthy breast tissue. This is done in much the same way as maintain our overall health. Breast health includes eating live, whole foods, exercising, drinking plenty of water, consuming 5-9 servings of fruits & vegetables daily, thinking positively, and practicing positive beliefs that support a healthy lifestyle. In addition to these healthy habits, you can specifically promote breast health by using self lymphatic breast massage, and you can take a homeopathic liquid for lymphatic drainage. Together, these keep the lymph flowing and toxins circulating out of your system.

Lymphatic breast massage assists the lymph fluid of the breast to flow into the normal lymph circulation, which in turn moves accumulated toxins out of the tissue and into the kidneys, the body’s filtration system. Accumulated toxins contribute to abnormal cell growth (please refer to the blog entries in November 2010 and others under the category of Environmental Medicine), so it is important to aid in the circulation of the toxins out of the body.

Lymphatic Breast Massage:

• This can be done daily in the shower or bath.
• Massage your breasts in a specific way to support movement of the lymph fluid to keep it moving through the breasts, up into the armpit and chest lymph system.

When massaging your breast tissue... (see illustrations below courtesy of the Breast Health Project)

• Create Motion
• Use a pumping action to assist the flow of lymph:
• Move the breast in the initial direction, use some pressure.
• Then release and let the breast return to its normal position.
• On the move up, use pressure and then release to allow the breast to return.
• Finally, massage the underarms in a circular motion to move the lymph away from the breast (ex: under the left arm, the hand moves outward to the left; under the right arm, the hand moves outward to the right). This enhances the natural movement of the lymph system.

The sun protection factor, known as SPF, only blocks UVB rays and not UVA rays, which are the most damaging rays. Everyone should wear SPF 30. It should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure, and it should be reapplied approximately every 2 hours.

• SPF 30 blocks 96% of the sun’s UVB rays
• SPF 15 blocks 92% of the sun’s UVB rays

In choosing a sunscreen lotion or spray, it is easy to feel lost in the list of ingredients on the package. Avoid any sunscreens with mineral oil included. Mineral oil does more harm than good to the skin.

Your goal should be to block the UVA rays. To do this, find a source of SUNBLOCK, not sunscreen. Look for these ingredients in the proper concentration to block UVA and UVB rays:

Parasol (avobenzone) or Mexoryl in concentrations of 3%
Zinc Oxide 7.5% or Titanium Dioxide 7.5%, if they are listed alone. Less concentrations of each are needed if they are in combined products.

It is important to use the proper sunblock every day of the year, and you should apply frequently to all exposed areas.

Supplements can also assist. It is important to take antioxidants to fight free radicals and reduce abnormal cell growth, which is the damage to cells from the sun and other toxins. With the proper use of sunblock, we must ensure we have adequate intake of Vitamin D. Please call me for further evaluation.

Even on cloudy days, approximately 80% of the sun’s rays reach the earth. It is very important for us to know our options when it comes to sunscreen.

It is up to us to decide how we will protect ourselves from the sun. The best protection comes in using a combination of wearing a hat, protective sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, and limiting time of sun exposure. Taking antioxidants is also a necessary weapon against sun damage.

Wear a hat with a wide brim to cover your ears and the back of your neck. Long sleeved blouses and shirts help to avoid sun exposure, and some clothing now has built-in SPF protection. Make sure to wear your sunglasses because besides the skin, eyes are the second most common sites of Melanoma.

It is important to remember that certain medications cause sun sensitivity, and extra caution should be used with sun exposure.

Tanning beds should be avoided. Tanning beds emit UVA rays, which are very damaging to the skin and eyes.

Next week: How to choose a sunscreen

… for us to get the required amount of invaluable sunlight.

Sunlight is essential to the human body. The light helps to regulate the body’s internal clock, and it also makes fat-soluble Vitamin D. We need to be cautious of exposure to sunlight, though, because it can be damaging to our bodies.

Benefits of Sunlight:

The body’s internal clock is regulated by light. Light enters the eyes, and the optic nerve carries the sensory responses to the pineal gland. The pineal gland controls the production of melatonin, which helps to set our body clock.

Although we can get our Vitamin D through some foods, we absorb it best from skin exposed to the sun.

Detriments of Sunlight:

Sunlight has two kinds of rays, UVA (Ultraviolet A) and UVB (Ultraviolet B). UVA rays are absorbed more deeply into the skin and, therefore, cause more skin damage. UVB rays cause the immediate burning of the skin, which we experience as sunburn. Both types of rays are also reflected off snow, water, and sand.

Skin damage from UVA and UVB rays can result in wrinkles, spots, and skin cancer. The most dangerous form of skin cancer is Melanoma. This is a deadly skin cancer, and it has been increasing in occurrence every year for the past 10 years.

Next week: evaluating your sunscreen choices

Since we live in a dynamic environment and there is chemical exposure on a regular basis, it is up to us to make lifestyle choices that will help our bodies stay healthy and as chemical-free as possible.

Healthy food choices can help support every cell of the body to work at optimal levels. Every time you eat, you have the chance to treat your body well or to poison it. The choice is yours! By choosing high quality organic fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, you can reduce cell damage, oxidative stress, and abnormal cell growth.

Take time to review your entire lifestyle and begin simple changes to improve your health…

• Your Mind: Is it often flooded with negative thoughts or unhappiness?
• Your Body: How does it feel? Excited and full of energy for the day?
• Your Spirit: Are you living your passion and heart’s desire?
• Your Toxicity: What is in your home, office, car, and yard?
• Your Exercise: Do you do aerobic exercise 3-4 times a week?
• Your Nutrition: What types of nutrients are you putting in your body? Are you eating live food or dead food?
• Your Sleep: Do you get 8 restful hours each night?

The best way to stay out of our “sick care system” is to STAY WELL. Call for an appointment to assess your environmental exposure and lifestyle to increase your wellness.

The environmental toxins that are absorbed into our bodies are not processed and eliminated easily from the body. Many times, these toxins can be the underlying cause of repeated symptoms and the level of severity of health problems.

Each person has a bio-individuality that makes us more or less sensitive to certain chemicals in our environment. There are many common responses to chemicals, but we all react to the chemicals differently. What may not affect one person may make another person very ill.

There is substantial evidence that children with ADHD, particularly boys, have higher concentrations of pesticides and organophosphates in their bodies. The higher the level of toxins is, the greater the risk of ADHD.

All of these toxins can accumulate in any part of our bodies. Some toxins are attracted to our nerve cells, some to the thyroid, some to our gastrointestinal tract, etc. For this reason, it is important to do annual detoxifications to cleanse the body of the toxins. You should choose a detoxification that is gentle, easy to fit into your lifestyle, and professionally supervised to be as effective as possible. I can help you find a detox program to specifically suit your needs.

Look for an assessment of your detox needs in next week’s blog!

Since 1976, the EPA has issued regulations on 5 chemicals that were determined to present unreasonable risk. These 5 chemicals are out of 80,000 known chemicals! Our regulations are far behind other countries’.

BGH (Bovine Growth Hormone) is used to increase milk production in dairy cows. Only 3 countries allow the use of BGH: the United States, South Africa, and Mexico. Dairy cows that have been given BGH produce a high insulin-like growth factor in the milk (IGF-1). Human IGF-1 is identical to cow’s IGF-1. Premenopausal women with a high IGF-1 have a 2-3 times higher risk of developing breast cancer than postmenopausal women.

In 2001, the EU classified 2 phthalates (DEHP and DBP) as Category 2 substances, defined as chemicals to impair fertility in humans and thought to cause developmental toxicity to humans. (For more information on Phthalates, see the Nov. 15, 2010 blog.) The EU Cosmetics Directive (76/768/EEC) was revised to ban 1,100 chemicals from cosmetics. The FDA in the US has restricted only 11 chemicals, and phthalates is not one of them.

The good news: Some companies (such as OPI, Body Shop, and Burt’s Bees) have made the initiative to remove these chemicals from their products. And some states, like California and Washington, are now requiring a disclosure statement on labels.

It is up to us to choose products that are chemical-free. We can also choose to drink milk that is hormone-free. Read labels and choose wisely! As consumers, we have the power to influence what chemicals are included in our food and cosmetics.

It is our responsibility to provide a healthy environment for our children, and this begins before birth. A pregnant woman is the first environment of her child.

The Environmental Working Group study of 2005 tested the umbilical cord blood of 10 newborns. The study found an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants in the blood. Of the 287 chemicals tested, 180 are known to cause cancer in humans or animals, and 217 are toxic to the human brain and nervous system.

Several of the chemicals found in the cord blood are toxins we are familiar with, including:

• BPA
• Perchlorate
• PCB’s
• Lead
• Mercury

(For more information on these chemicals, see my blog posts from this past November and February.)

Pregnant mothers and their babies need DHA, found in fish oil. DHA is important for proper brain development of the babies. Many women follow the government guidelines and eat 3 oz of fish four times a week. Unfortunately, women often choose canned fish. Almost all cans are lined with BPA, which seeps into the food. We are just beginning to see cans that state they are BPA free.

Pregnant women must choose their source of DHA from a high quality fish oil supplement. They should not choose fish from a can or fish from the ocean (they often have high concentrations of mercury or other toxins). Knowing the supplement brand and the source of the fish oil (the kind of fish it comes from) is highly recommended. I can help you find the best fish oil for you!

News Update! A follow-up to the February 21st blog post, “Spring Cleaning: Wash Your Hands of BPA”...
New Pioneer Coop now uses BPA-free receipt paper in their cash registers. Let’s suggest that other retailers do the same!

I am often asked, “Where could I be exposed to environmental chemicals? I eat a very clean diet.” The truth is that we are all exposed to environmental toxins on a daily basis.

Researches from the U.S. non-profit groups Safer Chemicals, Safer Families and the Washington Toxics Coalition have reported finding high levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) on cash register receipts and paper money. BPA is found in a powdery film in thermal paper used for receipts, which is then transferred from our fingers onto dollar bills. Holding receipts for just 10 seconds causes up to 2.5 micrograms of BPA to transfer onto our fingers. 15 times that amount of BPA is transferred to our hands by rubbing the receipts!

Low levels of BPA have been linked to breast cancer, obesity, and early onset of puberty.

BPA is also found in water jugs, soft drink cans, hockey helmets, mobile phone housings, computers, and many more common objects. The health hazards vary from product to product.

We don’t live in a sterile environment, and we cannot protect ourselves from all the potential hazards. We can, however, wash our hands frequently. Hand washing is effective in avoiding colds and flu viruses, and it also washes away toxins like BPA.

We can also eat a whole foods diet with organic and local products. A clean diet will help us avoid undue exposure to toxins and reduce the accumulation of these toxins in our tissues.

A detoxification program done periodically will help remove toxins from our bodies and will reduce the levels of toxins we cannot avoid. Spring is an excellent time to do spring cleaning in our homes and our bodies. Talk to me about starting a complete and easy detoxification program.

We are all greater than the sum of our parts. We are individuals with minds, bodies, emotions, and spirits. Contrary to what we might have been taught, we are more than our parents’ biology! A maximum of 10% of all diseases are caused by genetics. Science has proven repeatedly that our environments cause 90% of all diseases. In other words, what we eat, how we manage and interpret our stress, how we exercise, and, of course, how we think and view the world greatly affects our health.

We can be in charge of our own physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing. Some days our environmental stress can feel overwhelming, and it can be difficult to maintain a sense of control. Our bodies are our individual doors to healing because they experience everything we see, hear and do. Unfortunately, our bodies hold beliefs and myths we have been told. These beliefs and myths often limit opportunities to change and let go of the past, which would allow us to heal.

I recommend the book Healing Myths, Healing Magic: Breaking the Spell of Old Illusions, Reclaiming Our Power to Heal by Donald Epstein. This book examines the deeply ingrained stories or myths that we commonly hold about how our bodies heal. These myths actually inhibit healing, and we all have them. Healing can be possible after we look at social, biomedical, religious, and new age beliefs that we hold in our thought patterns, which contribute to illness and disease.

Not sure how to tackle all of this? Come in for an office visit to discuss your beliefs that may be holding you back from getting well, feeling well, and living a happy, full life!

Check out Donald Epstein’s book on my Resource Links page.

Phthalates:
Phthalates are chemicals used to make medical packaging, food packaging, and toys. The use of Phthalates has steadily increased since the 1950s. Recent studies have proven that Phthalates migrate out of food packaging materials and into the food, particularly when put in a microwave. (“A Consumer’s Dictionary of Food Additives” by Ruth Winter, M.S.)

 Heath problems arise because of chronic exposure to Phthalates. Recent research has found that exposure to Phthalates causes adverse health effects, including:

• Preterm deliveries
• Fetal malformations
• Behavior, emotional and mental ability problems
• Premature sexual development in young girls
• Low sperm counts in males, causing reduced fertility

Studies have also shown that women with high Phthalate levels were 2.2 times more likely to develop breast cancer!

Food is the major source of Phthalates exposure, but Phthalates can also be found in

• Fragrances
• Hair products
• Personal care products

Parabens:
Parabens are the most commonly used antimicrobial preservative in the U.S. It is estimated that 75-90% of cosmetics use Parabens. Parabens behave like the hormone, estrogen, in the body. High levels of estrogen contribute to abnormal cell growth, which often results in cancer.

Parabens can be found in products such as

• Shampoos
• Hair products
• Make-up
• Lotions
• Deodorants
• Pharmaceuticals
• Foods
• Beverages

Read labels and ingredient lists on product packaging to determine if Phthalates or Parabens are included. If they are, choose to use different products!

The research continues on ways the environment affects our health. We all need to consciously make choices to live cleaner lives. If you feel toxic or have had an environmental exposure, please contact me to receive treatment to correct chemical imbalances you may be experiencing!

The President’s Cancer Panel has made recommendations for ways we can minimize the toxicity of our living environments. Below is a summary of these recommendations:

• Eat organic foods and wash other, non-organic foods to remove residues
• Eat free range / natural or grass-fed meat to reduce exposure to antibiotics, growth hormones and toxic run-off from livestock feedlots
• Choose “green” household cleaners
• Choose “green” garden products
• Be aware of and reduce exposures to toxic environments while pregnant
• Ensure children’s play areas and toys are free of toxins
• Select medicines and medical tests for children that limit toxins
• Remove your shoes before entering your home
• Wash work clothes separately from other laundry
• Filter tap or well water at home
• Use only stainless steel, glass or BPA and phthalate-free containers
• Microwave food in glass containers – not plastic (I would recommend not using a microwave altogether, as it reduces the vitamin and mineral content in food)

All of these recommendations are helpful, easy to accomplish, and should be taken very seriously. Another recommendation I have to eliminate a toxic environment is to read labels in order to discover any chemical additives. Next week’s blog will have ingredients to stay away from in your foods and cosmetics. Call me for an appointment to discuss additional ways to adapt your lifestyle to live in a cleaner personal environment.