2 Ways to Slash Your Risk of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a frightening specter for any woman, but you can take steps to prevent it by making simple lifestyle modifications. Getting enough sun and enough sleep helps. So does limiting the toxins you take in and increasing the antioxidants in your diet.

Another way to keep breast cancer at bay is to kick two bad habits: eating too much and drinking too much alcohol.

Slim Down

Fat cells don’t just sit there. They release inflammatory compounds called cytokines that can boost cancer risk. Get your weight under control by doing regular, vigorous exercise and eating portion-controlled, nutrient-rich meals.

Beware of Booze

Excessive alcohol consumption significantly raises your risk of breast cancer, though research indicates that taking 800 mcg of folate daily negates this increased risk factor. If you choose to drink, drink only in moderation. (That means one drink/day for women.) Plus, make sure you’re getting enough folate through a high-quality whole foods vitamin supplement and folate-rich foods like lentils, asparagus, and chickpeas.

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Kelley Herring

Kelley Herring is the Founder & CEO of Healing Gourmet – a multimedia company that educates on how foods promote health and protect against disease. As a young adult, Kelley battled a debilitating health condition that went misdiagnosed by multiple doctors for more than a year. Finding no help from “modern medicine”, she turned to her own knowledge of biochemistry and her passion for health research. She soon learned that her symptoms were related to nutrition and within weeks, she charted a course back to health with nothing more than simple lifestyle changes and the power of the plate. The lessons she learned spawned the creation of Healing Gourmet. Kelley is a firm believer in vigorous exercise, moderate sun exposure and delicious, healthy, home-cooked meals. She is also the creator of Healing Gourmet’s Personalized Nutrition Software and Editor-in-Chief of the Healing Gourmet book series published by McGraw-Hill including Eat to Fight Cancer, Eat to Beat Diabetes, Eat to Lower Cholesterol and Eat to Boost Fertility.