October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You know, for women, every month is breast cancer awareness month! It is our awareness that could possibly save our lives. It is much easier to work on the prevention of breast cancer than to find a cure, not that we should stop research for a cure, but it is not something we can personally do to make a difference.

Breast cancer, like any disease, comes into play when the body’s immune system becomes weakened.  If you can eliminate what the body does not want and give the body what it wants, health can be achieved.

So what is it that the body does not need or want? Toxins! Toxins are things like heavy metals, such as mercury, iron and the like. Toxins are also things like food additives, preservatives, food colorings, nitrites, and GMO foods. Watching your diet by eating healthy, fresh, organic foods and minimally processed foods can help you avoid some of these toxic materials. You can also increase you glutathione intake which will help eliminate some of the heavy metals that may be lurking undetected in your body. Glutathione is the master antioxidant that directly relates to our longevity.  Also, eating foods that are high in antioxidants can help speed the process of elimination. Since glutathione is a combination of amino acids it is often important to supplement with a precursor like acetylcystine.

To increase your antioxidants look for foods with a high ORAC rating. ORAC is the acronym for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. It tells us the value of certain foods and or supplements to guide us in maintaining sufficient levels so that we may utilize the benefits of antioxidants. ORAC is expressed as units, the higher the number the greater the antioxidant power. We should eat at least five serving of high ORAC foods such as maqui berry, turmeric, acai berry and dark chocolate. If you are not getting enough ORAC foods you can supplement for that.

There have also been several studies on low vitamin D3 levels and breast cancer. This is a pretty easy one to remedy. Since most of us cannot spend a half hour naked in the sun on a daily basis it is necessary to supplement with a vitamin D3 supplement.  Most regular doctors will tell you that you only need 400 iu’s  a day and that more than that is toxic. Don’t believe them! That amount of vitamin D3 is enough to keep from getting rickets but not enough for prevention. Most everyone does well with 5,000 iu’s a day. I look at a lot of lab tests and the clients that I have on 5,000 iu’s a day maintain a healthy level in their blood.

Exercise is another important key to prevention. Exercise is good for calming the mind and keeping a healthy body weight. Studies have shown that women with higher BMI increase their risk of breast cancer. You don’t need to go to the gym or run every day to keep healthy. Walking has the same benefit of other more strenuous exercise and it is something most of us can do. Just 30 minutes a day can make a big shift in your health.

Lastly, and just as important, is a positive mental attitude. Surround yourself with positive books, music and people. Too often we spend our days complaining about what is wrong in our life instead of what is right.  The old adage, count your blessings, is something we should all do.

I love this quote by Melody Beattie:

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, and confusion into clarity. It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

We also know that we can do everything right and still be diagnosed with breast cancer. This is where the positive mind set can make a difference in whatever the outcome is.  Use this month to become more aware, remember those you have lost to breast cancer or those who have struggled with this horrible disease. And open up and share here, it may help others.

What’s Your Breast Cancer Story? Contest

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, OVitaminPro.com will be giving away a $30 gift certificate to our site. To enter, simply leave a comment with your name, your email address, and a story of how breast cancer has touched your life. Do you know someone who has experienced breast cancer? Were you diagnosed? Do you have an inspirational story to share with those affected by this disease? Leave a comment and you could win. Giveaway runs until November 9th.

  • What’s Your Breast Cancer Story?
  • Prize: $30 gift certificate to OVitaminPro.com
  • When: contest ends November 9
  • To enter: leave a comment with your name, email address, and your breast cancer story.