How to keep healthy breasts

Posted: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 12:00 am

By HOLLY CARLING 

So much focus is on breast cancer, conventional treatment for breast cancer, and "early detection" of breast cancer via mammograms and self-exams, but little attention is given to keeping them healthy in the first place. We can do much to maintain healthy breasts at home with relatively little effort. It needs to become a lifestyle, not just a thing we do at the moment or when someone diagnoses you with breast cancer.

We can divide breast health concepts into 4 categories: Foods, physical activities, self-exams/massage, and other factors.

Foods rich in minerals and vitamins are, as usual, fundamental to good health. Green leafy vegetables for their rich mineral availability, cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, collard greens, Bok Choy, watercress, arugala, Chinese cabbage, turnips and parsnips) for their general health and anti-cancer characteristics, and their involvement in liver detoxification.

One mineral that deserves particular attention in breast health is iodine. There is extensive research on the role of iodine and breast health, particularly linked to breast cancer. Iodized salt is not complete enough to help, especially when we have iodine-blockers in our food sources such as bromides (in several white breads, sodas and medications), and fluoride in our drinking water........