Care of the female body with nutrition and healthy living

The first part of this article covers the following areas…

* Hormone balance
* Strengthening the “detox” system and why this is so important
* Feeding the body with the correct nutrition
* Beware of the nemesis – sugar!

Maintaining good female health requires a strong, yet delicate approach. When faced with ill health and disease (including cancer), women require a truly holistic, and individual approach to treatment and recovery. Areas such as nutrition, lifestyle evaluation, genetics, stress reduction, hormone balance, and even self-empowerment are all important areas to acknowledge and address. All can influence the growth and proliferation of rogue cells in the body (which often lead to the development of cancer), as well as influence overall “health and recovery”.

Hormone balance…

Women’s health (physical and mental) is closely related, and somewhat “mimics” hormonal status and “balance” in the body. Hormonal status refers to the interplay between female sex hormones (oestrogen and progesterone), stress hormones (particularly cortisol), and thyroid hormones (TSH, T4, T3). Sex hormone production and “balance” is especially sensitive to levels of stress hormones. Stress has a profound effect on oestrogen/progesterone balance, as well as creating unnecessary tissue inflammation in the body.

A hormonal cycle that is in balance (at whatever stage in life) helps a woman to feel confident, empowered, healthy and happy. A woman who feels “out of sorts”, feels depressed for no apparent reason, or shows other common signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance (of which there are many), is likely to be, either under too much stress, not taking enough exercise, and or, is eating a poor diet. She herself is out of balance!

What sort of hormone metaboliser are you?
Hormone balance (particularly oestrogen/progesterone balance, and “stress hormone” balance) is crucial to overall health, energy, body weight, as well as a person’s overall risk of disease.

Assessing oestrogen balance and metabolism
A test is available nowadays to assess a women’s “efficiency” at detoxifying oestrogens. Called the “Oestrogen Metabolism Profile” it measures the balance of anti- and pro-carcinogenic metabolites of oestrogen. The metabolites 2-hydroxyoestrogen or 2-OHE (the “safe” oestrogen) and 16-alpha-hyroxyoestrone or 16-alpha-OHE 1, which is the more harmful or more potent form of oestrogen, are measured in one first morning urine sample. A proper balance between the two indicates a healthy metabolism and clearance of oestrogen, and a possibly a reduced risk of breast cancer. This efficient breakdown and excretion of oestrogen can be encouraged and supported by a diet that includes plenty of isoflavones, fibre and antioxidants – all found in foods such as flaxseed, oats/oatbran, natural soy foods such as miso, Tamari, tempeh, tofu, traditional Indian spices such as cumin, turmeric, fenugreek, chickpeas, beans, fennel, PLENTY of cruciferous vegetables, and green tea. 

Strengthening the “detox” system and why this is so important

The immune system protects the body against pathogens, i.e. viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. The immune system keeps coughs, colds and infections at bay. However it’s the “detoxification” system that is specifically involved in hormonal health/balance, and in the elimination of toxic chemicals and carcinogens that are so damaging to a woman’s body. It is an area, therefore that’s vital to address. Every one of our trillions of cells comprises of an internal “detox” mechanism. The main “detox organs” to be aware of include the skin (the largest), the gut, and the liver.  

The Detox System that functions in our cells is composed of numerous enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and epoxide hydrolase, to name just a few. These enzymes are supported in their work of detoxifying toxins and carcinogens by nutrients called antioxidants and phytochemicals. These nutrients are plentiful in natural, clean, colourful, fresh foods and beverages in the diet.

“Eating a natural wholefood diet is the first and primary step towards optimal female health”

Feeding the body with the correct nutrition

a. A high plant-based diet – i.e. high vegetable and salad intake is highly recommended… prepared in all ways imaginable! Steamed, raw, lightly stir-fried, juiced and blended in soups – the ultimate fuel and nutrition for a healthy body.
b. Minimise and even avoid non-organic dairy and meat
c. Eat your cruciferous veg! Cruciferous veg support the detox system of the body, as well as supply essential B vitamins and minerals
d. Follow a very low-sugar diet (see note below)
e. Optimise Vitamin D Status…

Vitamin D is actually a steroid hormone that influences virtually every cell in the body. It is now known to be one of the most potent immune supporters, and anti-cancer compounds. Vitamin D is measured by assessing blood levels of 25-OH Vitamin D (the active form of vitamin D). A healthy level is 50-100 ng/mL. A deficiency is considered to be < 20 ng/mL and “insufficiency” is considered to be 20-49 ng/mL. Vitamin D is not, as yet, routinely tested but is available from private laboratories.

Beware of the nemesis – sugar!

Let’s discuss sugar, and the role it plays in cancer… One important difference between cancer cells and healthy cells is that cancer cells get their energy (or produce energy) from a chemical process called “glycolysis”. This metabolic process uses glucose as the primary starter fuel, and can function without oxygen (anaerobic metabolism). Healthy cells make energy (ATP) using oxygen in a process called aerobic metabolism. They can also make energy under anaerobic conditions (glycolysis), but cancer cells are “glycolytic” and glucose-supported. Here lies a fundamental “clue” as to how best feed your body… starve the cancer cells of their primary fuel (sugar) and feed your healthy cells with plenty of oxygen and good nutrition! Glucose, literally feeds cancer cells like no other nutrient! Fast-growing cells need, and thrive on sugar. It is therefore a very wise strategy to adopt a very low sugar or even a “sugar-free” approach to eating. This means watching all forms of sugar, most notably refined sugars and highly refined or high GI carbohydrates. So, what does that look like…?

“Get your “carbs” from vegetables, and low-glucose fruits such as apples, pears and berries. Eat “clean fish” and small oily fishes like sardines, and mackerel for protein and Omega-3 fats, little meat and dairy, and small amounts of “true” wholegrains such as quinoa and wholemeal and wild rice. Raw seeds and moderate amounts of raw nuts such as almonds and walnuts provide good sources of protein, fibre and essential fats, and foods such as avocado, olives and olive oil are also great additions to the diet. Drink clean, filtered water, herb leaf teas like nettle and mint, and fresh veggie juices to stay healthy and hydrated”.

There is a body of research published by cancer scientists showing that starving cancer cells of glucose kills cancer cells. 

The second part of this article, coming soon, covers…

* The importance of bowel health
* Clean up your environment
* The mind-body connection
* Specific nutrient supplements for female health

STAY TUNED!

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