Nutrition and Breast CancerNutrition and Breast Cancer

Pam Woolford BSc(Hons) MSc Nutritional Medicine R Nutr FRSPH

Using food to help protect and Using food to help protect and heal the bodyheal the body

New branch of genetics called epigenetics is showing how diet can influence the on/off switch of genes in the DNA

Use of essential fatty acids to help heal cell membranes from the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Using natural detoxifying foods to help clear chemotoxic drugs from the body

Using Nutrition to Boost Using Nutrition to Boost Immune FunctionImmune Function

Reducing inflammation Supporting immune function especially

when treatment reduces immune functionStress which produces excess cortisol is a

powerful immune suppressantExercise which produces endorphins are

immune enhancers

Controlling InflammationControlling Inflammation

Include more omega 3 fatty acidsAnti oxidantsVitamin D found in oily fish, egg yolks

mushroom and butter

Omega 3Omega 3Best source found in oily Fish: Sardines Herring Pilchards Salmon Mackeral Trout Fresh Tuna ( not tinned)At least 3 servings per weekEspecially while undergoing

chemotherapy as helps chemo drug enter tumour cells

AVOIDAVOID

Trans fats found in hydrogenised fats such as margarine and processed foods

High GI foods such as white bread, white rice and sugar

Foods which control Cancer Foods which control Cancer Growth/DetoxifyGrowth/Detoxify

Shallots, onions,garlic, soya beans, cruciferous vegetables, Citrus fruits, spices, green tea and many herbs.

Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, brussel sprouts, kale,radish, spinach,watercress, cauliflower and broccoli also slow down the rate of growth of cancer cells and also help in the 2 stage process in the liver of detoxifying drugs

More Anti Cancer foodsMore Anti Cancer foods

Mushrooms especially Shiike, reishi,enoki

Carotenoids found in yellow/orange fruit and vegetables

Red vegetables and fruit; acai berries,beetroot, blueberries,figs etc

Fermented foods such as yoghurt, miso, sauerkraut

Olive Oil Herbs Coconut, oil,

flesh,water and milk Sea vegetables

Diet high in fruit and Diet high in fruit and VegetablesVegetables

Diets high in fruit and vegetables reduces incidence of hormone cancers

Antioxidant reduces damage to DNA High Fibre reduces absorption of xeno oestrogens Brassicas ( brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower,

cabbage) may inhibit oestrogen sensitive cells. Buy organic fruit and vegetables if you eat them

without peeling them. Buy organic carrots especially.

ANTIOXIDANTSANTIOXIDANTS

Foods which contain vitamins C and E such as fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts

Selenium found in brazil nuts. Supplement 200 microgrames per day

Zinc found in meat and sea food

AntioxidantsAntioxidants

Found in:

The colours in fruit and vegetables Carrots, peppers, celery,

onions, broccoli,kale, apples, berries,grapes, parsley, asparagus.

Tea esp Green tea Red wine Real ale ( found in the hops) Chocolate ( found in the coca

bean)-must be high percentage

Antioxidant-LycopeneAntioxidant-Lycopene

Particularly beneficial for breast cancer. Found in concentrated tomato products

What it has been shown to do on breast cancer cells:

Stops cancer cell growth Binds tumour cells

together tightly to stop them breaking off to form secondaries.

Dietary Protein & FatsDietary Protein & Fats

Limit animal protein – substitute pulses, lentils, tufu etc.

Avoid animal fats, cut fat off meat, buy good cuts of meat, ideally organic, avoid cheap meat products such as sausages, meat pies

Use Olive Oil and butter avoid spreads

Cell membrane repairCell membrane repair

Phospholipids which repair:

Fish oil

Nuts & seeds

Olive Oil

Coconut Oil

Meat

Egg yolk/liver

OestrogenOestrogen

Oestrogen plays a critical role in the cause of breast cancer

High oestrogen levels are linked to a high risk of breast cancer

Low serum oestrogen levels are found in woman from low risk areas (rural China & Japan)

Phyto oestrogensPhyto oestrogens

Phyto oestrogens from diet in the region of 109-158 mgs per day can decrease serum oestrogen levels and also alter the metabolism of oestrogen to a more favourable level. (Equal to 5 servings of soya per day)

Phyto oestrogensPhyto oestrogensIn the western diet phyto

oestrogens are found in: Cereals Nuts Pulses eg. Chick peas, kidney

beans Highest amount found in linseed

(Flax seed) Real ale Pear Asparagus Broccoli carrots

Phyto oestrogens-SoyaPhyto oestrogens-Soya

High intake of Soya in areas of low risk ( rural China & Japan)

High levels of the Soya Isoflavones in the blood influence the length of the menstrual cycle in these women. Longer cycles give a lower lifetime exposure to oestrogen.

Also influences the developing breast tissue at puberty.

Phyto oestrogen - SoyaPhyto oestrogen - SoyaThe phyto oestrogen in Soya are called Isoflavones – how

they work: The bind to oestrogen sites in the body and give a weak

oestrogen effect-this blocks the action of xeno oestrogens and also excess oestrogen made by the body.

This has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. There are a substantial amount of experiments to show the

anti cancer effect of soya isoflavones-but limited data from humans. Although big trials underway in Europe and the US.

Soya IsoflavonesSoya Isoflavones

Made from the Soya bean: Soya milk Soya ice cream Soya yogurts Tufu TVP Fermented Soy- Miso,

tempeh ( like a soya bovil) Fermented Soy is the richest source and better absorbed by the body

Soya – now the bad newsSoya – now the bad news

Wide individual variability in response to a phyto oestrogen rich diet.

Absorption of phyto oestrogens depends on your gut bacteria

Antibiotics blocks metabolism of phyto oestrogens

Do not use Soya especially fermented Soy if taking Tomoxafen

Soya and Gut BacteriaSoya and Gut Bacteria

Increase your friendly bacteria in the gut by the use of probiotics these bacteria ferment the soya to allow the body to absorb it.

Soya and Gut BacteriaSoya and Gut Bacteria

Foods to encourage the growth of friendly bacteria:

Green bananas Cold cooked new potatoes Onions Artichokes Cereals eg museli Use of FOS supplement

Dairy Free CalciumDairy Free Calcium

Calcium enriched orange juice

Soya milk Soya yogurts Sesame Seeds Tahini paste Small fish with bones eg

pichards, sardines Green vegetables eg

cabbbage

Fatigue/ nauseaFatigue/ nausea

Home made nutritious soups

Use snacks, small meals rather than 1 large meal

Porridge is easy to digest try with sweetened almond milk

Herb teas such as peppermint or ginger

Avoid strong smells, red meat which can taste metallic, try cold food

Difficulty with eatingDifficulty with eating

Use vegetable/fruit juice

Use soft healthy foods such as mashed banana, root veg,soups, softer braised meats, stewing fruit

Avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods which could irritate the mouth

Use sips of water between each bite to help with swallowing

AlcoholAlcohol

Linked to 4% increase risk of breast cancerHigh intake affects liverGood liver function needed to excrete

oestrogen from the bodyRed wine contains an antioxidantReal ale contains an antioxidant and phyto

oestrogens, and is low in alcohol.

Xeno oestrogensXeno oestrogens

Oestrogens in the environment Especially found in plastic/pesticides Do not use plastic bags, boxes etc to touch foods

which contain fat as the xeno oestrogen will go into the fat from the plastic. Eg. Salad cream-use glass bottles, wrap cheese in greaseproof paper

Choose organic fruit/vegetables to reduce risk from pesticides

Stressors on the bodyStressors on the body

OverweightEnvironment pollutants, tobacco smoke,

alcohol promote free radicals which initiate cancer cells

Cancer cells have been shown to deliberately produce oxidative stress around them to destroy normal cells and take their nutrients

Healthy EatingHealthy Eating

Include daily: Fruit and vegetables Protein at each meal Pulses Wholegrains Healthy fats

Moderate amounts: Dairy and soya Avoid: Refined sugar/grains Unhealthy fats Processed meats BBQ/grilled food