Today’s email is about breast cancer prevention. Why? In my extended circle of acquaintances, three women received a breast cancer diagnosis last year. This year, it happened to a friend. I think about these women often.
None of us would like to receive such news. However, the chances of recovery today are fortunately much higher than they used to be.
But I’ve also asked myself: “Am I just exposed to this, or can I do something myself to prevent breast cancer?” The answer is: it’s multifactorial—stress, nutrition, environmental factors, radiation, medications, genes, chance… all these can contribute to DNA damage, which in turn can lead to cell mutations. At the same time, there are measures I can take to counteract these factors. This applies to those of us who have already had breast cancer as well.
Is there a 100% guarantee that these measures will protect me? No. But do they take away the feeling of being exposed to it? Yes. And because my mother had breast cancer, I am particularly receptive to such preventive actions.
So here are three measures that can directly strengthen your body’s immune defenses.
1. Don’t let toxins enter your body in the first place: Drink less alcohol – I know this might not be what you want to hear, but it’s one of the most effective preventive measures.
2. Get toxins out of your body faster: Consume more fiber, for example, by using psyllium husk.
3. Strengthen your body’s immune defenses: Eat broccoli sprouts, as they contain sulforaphane, a potent radical scavenger in the body.
“Breast cancer risk increases with three to six glasses of alcohol per week.”
1. DON’T ALLOW TOXINS INTO YOUR BODY IN THE FIRST PLACE
“The risk of breast cancer increases with three to six glasses of alcohol per week (35-45 g per day).” krebsgesellschaft.de On the website of the Cancer Society, it further states:
“Alcohol itself, that is ethanol, is probably not carcinogenic. However, it is converted into acetaldehyde in the body through oxidation processes, which is highly reactive and readily forms bonds with other molecules, including DNA. This leads to mutations and, consequently, cancer. Acetaldehyde is also responsible for the so-called hangover after heavy alcohol consumption.
Moreover, alcohol likely facilitates other substances to exert their carcinogenic effect. Co-carcinogenic effects of alcohol have been demonstrated in the oral cavity, throat, and esophagus. The combination of alcohol and smoking is particularly unfavorable – especially cancers of the upper digestive and respiratory tracts are affected by this. Alcohol makes the mucous membranes in the mouth more permeable, allowing harmful substances, such as those from tobacco smoke, to enter the body more easily. The harmful effects of both substances reinforce each other.” krebsgesellschaft.de
2. CONSUME AT LEAST 30 GRAMS OF DIETARY FIBER DAILY
You can achieve this, for example, by eating legumes, whole grain products, vegetables, nuts, ground flaxseeds, and, for instance, organic psyllium husk powder*. Ground psyllium husk in organic quality can assist in detoxification. It contains 88% dietary fiber, which binds toxins and also acts as a prebiotic – providing good food for your intestinal bacteria.
“When in contact with fluids, psyllium husks swell up. The outer layer of long-chain carbohydrates absorbs water and multiplies its volume. This swelling ability is essential, alongside the high content of dietary fiber, for the positive effects of psyllium husks on digestion.
Additionally, psyllium husks release a kind of mucilage. The secreted mucilage forms a protective film on the intestinal wall, preventing irritations. It also facilitates the passage of food through the intestines. Moreover, psyllium husks are believed to bind harmful substances and eliminate them from the body through the stool.
In cases of diarrhea, psyllium husks help solidify the stool. They absorb excess water in the intestines and shape the stool. Due to this thickening effect, the stool remains in the intestines longer, reducing the frequency of visits to the toilet.
For constipation, the volume of the stool is increased by the swelling of the husks. As a result, the intestines receive the signal to empty themselves, and the natural intestinal movements (intestinal motility) are intensified. The intestines are, in a sense, stimulated again.” (cara.care)
Shaped like a banana, “it” should come out of you once a day without pressure. The average passage time should be 24 hours: the indigestible remains of what you eat today will leave your body again tomorrow.
Psyllium husks* from Lebepur – a participant from the Body Re:set course says:
“Hello everyone, I would like to recommend this product to you. I have been taking it daily for about half a year and my bowels are better than ever. I discovered it in the DM, in the end I ordered it directly from the company.”
But be careful: psyllium can inhibit the absorption of pharmaceutical substances. Medicines should be administered at a time interval (about 2 hours).
These medicines include:
Carbamazepine – Antiepileptic drugs.
Coumarin derivatives – Anticoagulants
Cardiac glycosides – Antiarrhythmics
Lithium – psychotropic drugs
Minerals – calcium, magnesium
Trace elements – copper, zinc
Vitamins – vitamin B12
Ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure.
Sources: pharmawiki, eucell
You can drink one teaspoon of psyllium husk powder* 2-3 times a day with meals with 250ml of water each time – drink it quickly before it gels. This way, whatever the liver releases into the intestines can be excreted promptly.
Alternatively, you can do the following: puree 300g of frozen berries, add 50ml of water, pour the whole thing into a bowl and stir in 4-6 scoops of psyllium husk powder. Allow to gel and eat as a dessert over the next few days.
Because the psyllium husks swell up so much, it is especially important to drink enough, otherwise it can lead to intestinal blockage. And that is why psyllium seeds should not be taken together with other swelling agents and diarrhoea remedies.
3. EAT BROCCOLI SPROUTS OR SULFORAPHANE.
You can also take care of your general health by eating sprouts. Sprouts are generally very healthy. For women, broccoli sprouts are particularly interesting because they contain a comparatively high concentration of the antioxidant sulforaphane. 20 grams of raw broccoli sprouts contain 50mg of sulforaphane – 500 grams of raw broccoli, on the other hand, contains “only” 30mg, which is also good.
This antioxidant neutralises free radicals in the body. The Tumour Centre Munich writes about this: “Sulforaphane is therefore now attributed a general cancer-preventing effect. But not only that, it is also assumed that sulforaphane can regress precancerous stages or could itself be used to fight cancer (concomitantly).”
How is sulforaphane produced? myfairtrade.com writes: “As soon as broccoli is mechanically processed, e.g. cut, chewed or grated, sulforaphane can be produced. This requires the cleavage enzyme myrosinase and the glucosinolates, which are spatially separated from each other in the intact plant cells. During processing, the myrosinase and the glucosinolates from their different cell compartments come together, glucose is split off and sulforaphane is formed … This transformation can only happen in the raw state because the enzyme myrosinase is heat sensitive.” You can read more about sulforaphane here.
How can you use the advantages for yourself?
You can grow broccoli sprouts yourself. To do this, take a sprouting jar* and get some broccoli seeds*. I bought a whole kilo of them because I think it’s nice to grow sprouts. You only need 2 tablespoons per sprout and it takes 4-6 days. If you grow a lot of sprouts, then a kilo is advisable, otherwise it is already a large quantity (the smaller quantities are only almost as expensive). You can also give some of it to your girlfriend together with a sprouting jar*.
A quarter cup of broccoli sprouts every day will provide you with a good portion of sulforaphane. If you want a sprouting set that’s a bit better quality and has a stainless steel sieve, then I think the company Cressery* is quite good. I myself have the sprouting jar shown below.
When you grow the sprouts, it is important to make sure that everything is hygienic. Otherwise, germs could spread in the moist environment. In summer, for example, I don’t grow sprouts because it’s simply too warm for that, and the sprouts simply don’t grow.
This is what the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety writes about sprouts, among other things: “The results show that there is a risk when eating raw sprouts or sprouting seeds. In particular, risk groups such as children, senior citizens, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems should generally avoid eating fresh sprouts or consume them only after sufficient heating. To reduce the germ load, raw sprouts must always be washed thoroughly and consumed as quickly as possible!” (Source)
I’m not writing this here to scare you off, but only so that you will be prudent. And here comes my photo story in the order of the development of broccoli sprouts.
THIS IS HOW YOU GROW BROCCOLI SPROUTS:
1. get a sprouting jar, for example this sprouting jar* from Rapunzel or these three jars from Cressery*.
2. Pour in 2 tablespoons organic broccoli seed*.
3- Now fill up with still water and leave overnight. From now on, rinse the sprouts twice a day. Fill with water and let it drain through the built-in sieve. This is actually quite meditative and once you have a rhythm, it’s like brushing your teeth, only easier.
4. result day two: the seed has swelled.
5. result day three the first seeds have germinated.
6- Result day four: now it’s coming off. You can now use a chopstick to get a little bit in between so that the seedlings don’t get too tangled.
7. result day five: now you can eat your first portion and store the whole thing in a glass container in the fridge for up to three days. What looks like mould are very fine root hairs.
It can do something: these 22 grams contain over 50 mg of sulforaphane. And that can help you fight free radicals in the body. The sprouts have a pleasant spiciness. Sometimes they go straight into my Shinya Smoothie.
If that is too much work for you, you can also take sulforaphane in the form of capsules. The University of Heidelberg recommends about 25mg daily at 70kg body weight. Most of the preparations I have found contain considerably more. Here* is one that contains “only” 50mg.
One comment should be made here. When I take sulforaphane, my husband may ask me later if I have eaten cabbage …
So it could be that you are using contraception without wanting to.
#justsaying
Prof. Ingrid Herr from Heidelberg University Hospital also notes in this brochure on the subject of cancer and nutrition:
“An isolated dietary supplement like sulforaphane cannot do much on its own. What seems to be more important is a general strengthening of the immune system, which includes a generally healthy diet, the avoidance of overweight and harmful substances, an adapted lifestyle and also the avoidance of stressful situations. The gut flora seems to play an important role in this, as shown by experimental data and also recent patient studies.”
Prof. Dr. Ingrid Herr, Head of the Surgical Research Section, Heidelberg University Hospital
As always, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Related links:
Diindolylmethane (DIM) – A miracle of nature? “While the pharmaceutical industry is constantly putting more and more pills against civilisation diseases on the world market, nature continues to amaze researchers with the healing power of plant-based foods. For example, the power substance diindolylmethane (DIM) contained in cabbage is said to kill even breast cancer cells. Eaten regularly or as a dietary supplement, DIM not only has an effect against hormone-dependent cancers, but also regulates hormone-related disorders such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopausal symptoms and prostate problems. zentrum-der-gesundheit.de
Indole-3-carbinol is produced when a substance called glucobrassicin is broken down. It is found in high amounts mainly in cruciferous vegetables such as rose, flower and green cabbage, but especially in broccoli. Indole-3-carbinol, in turn, is converted to DIM after digestion.
Indole 3 carbinol (I3C) in tumour therapy
Premium Broccoli Complex Ultra with Sulforaphane, Indole-3-Carbinol, DIM from Broccoli Seeds
TIPS
At temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius, the sprouts will not grow. The whole thing will then become a rather foul-smelling affair, which is best disposed of in the compost.
It is better to grow the sprouts in a dark, cool corner of the kitchen. They do not like sunlight. You can also simply darken the sprout jar with a stocking.
Do not overdo it: Broccoli seeds contain erucic acid. This is found in vegetable oils and fats. It is a natural component of plant seeds of the Brassicaceae family (cruciferous plants such as rape and mustard). The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment writes: “High levels of erucic acid in food can be detrimental to health. The adverse health effects of erucic acid include fatty degeneration of the heart (myocardial lipidosis), in which fats (lipids) accumulate in the heart tissue. This can cause the heart muscle to contract more poorly, it becomes weaker. The lipidoses caused by erucic acid are reversible.” Source
I could not find out how much of the erucic acid is also contained in the sprouts. However, when cultivating oilseeds for food production, care is taken to use seeds that are low in erucic acid. Nevertheless, you should not eat large quantities of broccoli sprouts every day. I will keep you updated on this topic. If you subscribe to our newsletter somebodytoldme, you will know when there is an update.
All links marked with * are “affiliate” links. If a purchase is made via such a link, I will receive a commission (example: book Hormone Diet 1,33€). There are no additional costs for you. But Amazon has to give a part of its profit to me. Where, when and how you buy a product is of course up to you, and yes, I also try to buy as much locally as possible.
