Author avisha Categories Blog, Cancer Coaching, Lifestyle Posted on 0 Comments

Breast Cancer Treatments and Heart Disease. What You Need to Know

February is Heart Month in Canada. It is a time during which awareness is raised about the importance of cardiovascular health and ways to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease are discussed.  Coinciding with Heart Month is a recent release in the journal Circulation.  In this issue the American Heart Association warned that breast cancer patients and survivors who have undergone certain chemotherapy and radiation treatments could be at risk for heart failure and other cardiac problems both in the near term and sometimes years after treatment. The American Heart Association was quick to state that they are not recommending that treatments should be avoided. What they are saying is that the study offers to us the understanding that counteracting these possible cardiovascular side effects of treatment should be attended to by breast cancer patients and their oncologists.

I found this excerpt from the study of particular interest:

Improvements in early detection and treatment of breast cancer have led to an increasing number of breast cancer survivors who are at risk of long-term cardiac complications from cancer treatments. For older women, CVD (cardiovascular disease) poses a greater mortality threat than breast cancer itself.

So what does attending to our cardiovascular health look like after treatment?

I don’t think that is it surprising to learn that the primary tenets of a heart healthy lifestyle include regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet.

Regular Exercise

Exercise has many positive effects on our cardiovascular health, including managing weight, regulating cholesterol and controlling blood pressure.  Exercise is anything that makes you move your body and burn calories.  For overall heart health American Heart Association recommends

  • At least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 5 days per week for a total of 150
    OR
  • At least 25 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity at least 3 days per week for a total of 75 minutes; or a combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity
    AND
  • Moderate- to high-intensity muscle-strengthening activity at least 2 days per week for additional health benefits.

Healthy Diet

Eating a healthy diet is vital for heart health.  A heart healthy diet should:

  • include a wide variety of whole foods
  • be devoid of processed foods
  • be primarily vegetarian
  • be as organic as possible
  • aim for 30-40 grams of fiber a day

Diet and lifestyle are where we must start in building a heart healthy lifestyle after breast cancer treatment. And this is a plan for life.

When we know the possible side effects of treatment we can start to build a strategy to get ahead of them, at worst minimizing them and at best avoiding them all together.

 

 

 

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5 Tips to Start Your Cancer Prevention Diet

A common thread among cancer patients is chronic inflammation. In an acute reaction, inflammation is a natural and beneficial response by our immune system to rid the body of unwanted pathogens. However, inflammation in a sustained and chronic engagement impairs and weakens our immune system.

Among many factors influencing inflammation is our diet. Diet can either mitigate or fuel the fire of inflammation as exampled by a new study published January 18, 2018 in the journal JAMA Oncology entitled “Association of Dietary Inflammatory Potential With Colorectal Cancer Risk in Men and Women”. This study highlights how processed meat and other foods have inflammation-promoting properties that can be a risk factor for colorectal cancer in both men and women.

This was a cohort study that followed 121 050 adults for 26 years. Its purpose was to examine whether pro-inflammatory diets are associated with increased colorectal cancer risk.

The study showed that:

intake of pro-inflammatory diets as evidenced by higher scores on an empirical dietary inflammatory pattern score was associated with a significantly higher risk of developing colorectal cancer in both men and women.

The findings are not too surprising. And although not a part of this study, the underlying premise may extend to more cancers.

Food matters. What we choose to plate and palate impacts our health.

Changing our diet can be an intimidating notion so let’s start with some basics tips for a cancer prevention diet.

5 Tips to Start Your Cancer Prevention diet

  1. Eat whole foods. Avoid the processed ones.
  2. Cover at least 80% of your plate with vegetables.
  3. Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables to get a complete source of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Think a rainbow of colours!
  4. Increase your fiber intake.  Aim for between 30-40 grams of fiber daily.  This may seem like a lot but if you adhere closely to tips 1 through 3 you are well on your way!
  5. Eat organic foods as much as possible.  This will help to reduce the toxic burden on your body and will increase the nutrient content of your food.

Implement these tips over time and avoid the all or nothing attitude.

Great journeys begin with small steps!

Be well…

 

 

 

 

 

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Dhaya Integrative Health. Focusing on Integrative Cancer Care

 

Introducing our new website for Dhaya Integrative Health

 http://dhayahealth.com

I am very proud to be a part of the team at Dhaya Integrative Health.  Our clinic focus is on cancer prevention and supporting patients and their caregivers throughout a cancer diagnosis.

Dr. Chamandeep Bali is the founder of Dhaya Integrative Health and HimaPure Research Labs.

“Dr. Bali’s unique approach to cancer care is garnering attention of oncology circles globally for his ability to seamlessly fuse time proven traditional wisdom with conventional evidence based medicine“

It is because of Dr. Bali’s strong belief that nutrition and nutritional therapies play a significant role in a complete cancer protocol that I am a member of his team.

“Our specialized team is dedicated to providing the most effective adjunctive cancer care and to the advancement of research and development in the field.“

Thanks to all of the people that have worked so hard to reflect a website that captures our essence.

Live Life Naturally

 

Dhaya Integrative Health Website

 

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Cauliflower Mash

Cauliflower is one of the most versatile veggies out there.  From pizza crust to hearty soup it seems like this crunchy wonder has endless possibilities in the kitchen!

Cauliflower is one of a group of vegetables in the cruciferous family.  And when it comes to cancer nutrition, cruciferous veggies are at the top.  Cauliflower contains sulforaphane, a sulfur compound known for its anticancer benefits.

A study has also found that a compound in cauliflower called  phenethyl isothiocyanate may prevent the relapse of certain cancers by killing cancer stem cells.

Add to this cauliflower’s high fiber and array of vitamins and minerals and you have one powerful veggie!

This yummy recipe is for Cauliflower Mash, a great low carb alternative to traditional mashed potatoes.

Enjoy!

Cauliflower Mash

4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 head of cauliflower divided in to florets
  • ¼ cup water reserved from steamed cauliflower
  • 1 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 Tablespoon ricotta cheese
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
  • Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Steam cauliflower until tender. Reserve a ¼ cup of the steaming water
  2. Place all ingredients in to a food processor EXCEPT water
  3. Blend until desired consistency adding reserved water as needed
  4. Salt and pepper to taste

Serve warm.

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Sleeping…A Cancer Fighting Powerhouse

The science of sleep is fascinating.

Sleep is, or at least should, be a part of our daily lives yet we’re just beginning to understand all of the ways it affects our health.

Lack of sleep can effect our mind and our body. People who get less sleep tend to be at higher risk for health issues like diabetes and heart disease not to mention effects like slower metabolism, weight gain, hormone imbalance and inflammation. Lack of sleep can effect our mood, our memory and decision-making skills.

And how well we sleep may also have a vital role in how well our body fights certain cancers.  Studies have shown that sleeping irregularities may suppress our immune system decreasing our ability to fight cancer.  As well, inadequate or irregular sleep can result in a deficiency of melatonin. Melatonin has been shown to have anti-proliferative effects in certain cancers like breast and colorectal cancers.

It is clear that getting a good night’s sleep needs to be a priority.  As adults we should strive to get 7 – 9 hours of sleep per night.

Tips for better sleep

  • The biggest tip is definitely to try to get yourself into a consistent sleep schedule. Make it a priority and you’re more likely to achieve it. Go to bed at the same time each evening.  Get a routine going.  It signals to your body that it’s sleep time.
  • Balance your blood sugar throughout the day. Eat less refined and processed foods and more whole foods full of blood-sugar-balancing fiber.  Make sure you’re getting some protein every time you eat.
  • During the day get some sunshine and exercise. These things tell your body it’s daytime; time for being productive, active and alert. By doing this during the day it will help you wind down more easily in the evening.
  • Sleep in a dark, cool room and keep your electronics out of the bedroom!

Make your bedroom a sanctuary.  A place of peace and calm where you can retreat and sleep for your better health.

 

Additional References

http://www.thepaleomom.com/gotobed/

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/hacking-sleep

 

 

 

 

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