Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women. Statistically, one in nine women is predicted to develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Despite this gloomy fact, it is hopeful to know that the incidence of breast cancer has stabilized in recent years. Prevention, in my opinion, plays a critical role in this trend.
In addition to regular exercise and restful sleep, the intuitive wisdom of consuming a balanced diet with adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables for breast cancer prevention is becoming apparent in recent scientific literature. Phytonutrients such as lycopene, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, glucuronic acid and glucosinolates have been identified as some of the most colourful players in this process.
Red
The flamboyant lycopene brings the colour red to tomatoes, pink grapefruit, watermelon, and guava. This pigment is thought to be one of the most potent antioxidants that protects the body from free radical damage and therefore against breast cancer development.
Orange
Beta-carotene is another powerful antioxidant found in carrots, squash and yam. Unlike many fat-soluble nutrients, this precursor to vitamin A can be taken in moderate doses for breast cancer prevention.
Green
Chlorophyll in dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, romaine and kale is known to form tight molecular complexes with some carcinogenic chemicals, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons from tobacco smoke and heterocyclic amines from charred meat. In doing so, chlorophyll interferes with their absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and reduces the amount that reaches susceptible tissues such as the breasts.
Yellow
Glucuronic acid is a sugary substance in many fruits and vegetables. It acts in the body as a carrier for excess estrogen destined for elimination through the bile. However, this process is often inefficient because the bacterial flora in the intestines tend to break down the glucuronic acid for their own use, leaving the excess estrogen behind. The accumulation of excess estrogen may eventually lead to abnormal growth of breast cells, particularly estrogen-dependent breast cancer. To prevent this, eating foods that help reduce the breakdown of glucuronic acid, such as garlic and onions, will optimize proper elimination of excess estrogen.
Purple
Similarly, glucosinolates found in purple cabbage and other cruciferous family vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and cauliflower help the body break down excess estrogen into a more stable form of estrogen known as 2-hydroxyestrone which does not have much effect on breast cells compared to the more potent form of 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone.
Number
It is recommended to consume at least one to two servings from each colour group daily, making up a total of five to ten servings of colourful fruits and vegetables a day for effective breast cancer prevention and health promotion!
Dr. Danny Jui is a naturopathic physician with additional certifications in acupuncture and Integrative Medicine.
