Diet and Lifestyle to Optimize Health Recovery, and Prevent Recurrence

of Breast Cancer

Dr. Gloria M RockwellMD, MSC, FRCSC

Division of Plastic Surgery

“To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.”~ Bertrand Russell

Goals of the Talk

• Introduction to changes in diet and lifestyle that can dramatically reduce risk for Breast cancer and improve your preparation for and recovery from surgery

• List of additional reading material for further education on this subject

Disclosures

• No conflicts of interest

• Introduction to a personal journey that transformed my life and opened my eyes to information I was never taught in my medical training

Who am I?• Undergraduate and Medical Training Dalhousie University,

Halifax

• Plastic Surgery training and Masters of Science McMaster University, Hamilton

• Fellowship training: Breast Reconstruction University of Toronto; Peripheral nerve and Reconstructive Microsurgery McMaster University

• Lifestyle transformation education; Hippocrates Health Institute…..and lots of additional reading, conferences etc. on health and wellness

“To get what you’ve never had, you must do what you’ve never done.”~ Thomas Jefferson

My journey• A lifelong journey for healthy living and yet I had

significant health hurdles to overcome• It was only when I hit the lowest health state of

my life that I found a new path to the greatest• Discovery of lifestyle and dietary changes that

have transformed my: • Physical• Mental• Spiritual• WELL BEING…..

Everything I am about to tell you I have tried…. it’s not easy but it is

possible to transform your life….one step at at time.

It took me hundreds of hours of learning these changes and many are

written in one book…..

A must read book…..

“You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.”~ Zig Ziglar

Cancer cells are forming in our body every minute….

• The key to health is to optimize your immune system

• Everything in our modern world is working against a healthy immune system

• This is what we need to focus on. Energy taken away to detoxify, digest, fight stress etc. is not available for our immune system

Essentials for a Healthy Immune System

• Healthy Body

• Healthy Mind

• Healthy Spirit

“If you don't think you can do it, who will? You control the most important tool in success, your mind.”~ Jeffrey Gitomer

Things to Optimize• CAN REDUCE RISKS BY OVER 50%• Proper SLEEP• Vitamin D, Vitamin A• Interval training exercises• Limit protein and increase Omega 3 fats• Sufficient IODINE• PROBIOTICS• STRESS MANAGEMENT tools• Cancer fighting plants

Things to eliminate• SUGAR• ALCOHOL• Excessive body weight• Xenoestrogens• Animal protein• Synthetic fabrics• Electromagnetic fields• STRESS• Unfermented Soy Products

Xenoestrogens• Chemicals of all sorts• Plastic containers• Pesticides• Synthetic fabrics• Synthetic perfumes and body care products• Make-up, antiperspirants• Flame retardants

MINIMIZE EXPOSURE

Sugars• Sucrose, fructose, refined grains, alcohol• Less than 15g per day• Abnormal insulin and leptin receptor activity– Weight gain– Fat produces estrogen – Waist to hip ratio

• Feeds cancer cells• Fruits are 20x sweeter than 100 years ago

ALTERNATIVES: stevia, non sweet berries

Vitamin D

• Potent anti cancer• Deficiencies lead to cancer and recurrence• Best source is 20 minutes of sun exposure per

day• Oral supplements

GET LEVEL CHECKED: Ideally >70ng/ml

Electromagnetic radiation

• Cell phones• Wifi• laptopcomputers• Electric blankets

INCREASING EVIDENCE THESE ARE DETRIMENTAL TO OUR CELLS AND HEALTH

Exercise• 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily• Interval training• Lowers Insulin levels• Improves immune function• Essential for optimal body fat levels• Relieves stress• Makes you feel good

JUST DO IT !!!

Water

• Best to drink distilled water with added minerals

• Avoid plastic bottles especially if exposed to heat

• Glass containers best• Global contamination of water supply– Toxins, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals

SLEEP• Essential to allow the body to recover daily• Helps in cellular repair and regeneration• Essential for Melatonin production– Deficiencies increase risk of cancer

• 10pm to 6 am ideal time for sleep• Unwind before bed• No TV, bright lights for 1-2 hours before sleep

MAKE SLEEP A PRIORITY

CANCER FIGHTING FOODS• Organic green vegetables – Fibre, nutrients

• Cruciferous vegetables especially broccoli sprouts

• Curcumin, Flax seeds, garlic, green tea

• Sea vegetables- iodine

IT’S NOT THE FOOD IN YOUR LIFE BUT THE LIFE IN YOUR FOOD

Ideal Diet• 2 liters of fresh water, green juices• Organic vegetables and greens• Raw vegetables, sprouts 80%

– Cooking destroys nutrients, acrylates• Quinoa, non gluten whole grains• Minimize fruits to organic berries , apples, low sweetness• Minimize refined, processed, packaged foods• Minimize-eliminate: red meat, dairy• Avoid fish-our waters are polluted

SEE A HOLISTIC NUTRITIONIST

Detoxification• Have heavy metal levels measured• Sweat daily• Infra red saunas• Selenium• Pure water• Herbal detox programs• Fasting one day per week

GIVES ENERGY TO YOUR BODY TO HEAL AND RECOVER, ESSENTIAL POST OPERATIVELY

“In the middle of every difficulty comes opportunity.”~ Albert Einstein

RESOURCES

• www.plasticsurgerymd.ca

List of books and links covering all these topics

• Bracken’s Booth outside

“Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.”

YOU COME FIRST• You have to realize that no matter how important you think

other people are • Without you there is no you for them• There will always be more hurdles• You have to embrace the challenges• Living your best life empowers you and those around you• Sometimes we don’t stop to appreciate ourselves until

some catastrophe forces us too, and even then we often forget quickly

NEVER FORGET YOUR JOURNEY….YOU ARE LIVING IT …LIVE IT TO THE MAX !!!