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Top 18 Anti-Estrogen Foods That Fight Breast Cancer | Dr. Kristi Funk

Physicians Committee・46 minutes read

Dr. Christie Funk introduces the Let's Beat Breast Cancer campaign, emphasizing the importance of anti-estrogenic foods in preventing and treating breast cancer, with 80% of cases being estrogen-driven annually. Consuming foods like Indian gooseberry and green tea, along with a specific smoothie recipe, can provide potent antioxidants and phytochemicals that reduce breast cancer proliferation and migration while supporting overall health and DNA repair.

Insights

  • Anti-estrogenic foods play a crucial role in breast cancer prevention and treatment by mimicking the effects of anti-estrogenic pills, aiding in down-regulating estrogen receptors and inhibiting aromatase, offering a natural approach to combating the disease.
  • Consuming a variety of phytochemical-rich foods, including red grapes, green tea, and aloe vera, can provide potent antioxidant benefits that aid in DNA repair, reduce cancer proliferation, and contribute to overall health, highlighting the importance of a balanced, plant-based diet in breast cancer prevention.

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Recent questions

  • What are anti-estrogenic foods?

    Anti-estrogenic foods mimic anti-estrogenic pills by acting as estrogen decoys, inhibiting aromatase, and down-regulating estrogen receptors. These foods play a crucial role in breast cancer prevention and treatment.

  • How do anti-estrogenic pills work?

    Anti-estrogenic pills work by blocking estrogen receptors and shutting down the enzyme aromatase. This mechanism is essential in preventing cancer recurrence, particularly in the first five years post-treatment.

  • What is the significance of Indian gooseberry?

    Indian gooseberry, also known as amla, is a potent antioxidant source that surpasses meat, fish, eggs, and dairy in antioxidant power. Consuming amla can provide numerous health benefits, especially in terms of antioxidant properties.

  • How does green tea benefit health?

    Green tea is a potent antioxidant that can reverse damage caused by carcinogenic compounds. Consuming green tea has been linked to reducing the incidence of various cancers and cardiovascular diseases significantly, making it a beneficial addition to one's diet.

  • How does alcohol impact breast cancer risk?

    Alcohol increases estrogen levels, disrupts DNA synthesis, and inactivates folic acid, affecting DNA repair and immune function. While moderate drinking may have some protective effects, heavy drinking can increase the risks associated with breast cancer.

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Summary

00:00

Preventing Breast Cancer with Anti-Estrogenic Foods

  • Dr. Christie Funk, author of "Breasts: The Owner's Manual," discusses the Let's Beat Breast Cancer campaign on the Exam Room podcast.
  • She introduces the concept of anti-estrogenic foods as a crucial aspect of breast cancer prevention and treatment.
  • 80% of breast cancers are estrogen-driven, with around 310,000 cases annually.
  • Anti-estrogenic pills work by blocking estrogen receptors and shutting down the enzyme aromatase.
  • Three types of drugs are used: tamoxifen as an estrogen decoy, aromatase inhibitors like Femara, and Fulvestrant that degrades estrogen receptors.
  • These pills are essential for preventing cancer recurrence, especially in the first five years post-treatment.
  • Different genetic subtypes of breast cancer determine the necessity and duration of anti-estrogen therapy.
  • Food can mimic the effects of these pills by acting as estrogen decoys, inhibiting aromatase, and down-regulating estrogen receptors.
  • Dr. Funk presents a list of 18 anti-estrogenic foods and drinks, including red grapes, whole grains, citrus fruits, and Indian gooseberry (amla).
  • Indian gooseberry, in powder form as amla, is a potent antioxidant source, surpassing meat, fish, eggs, and dairy by 64 times in antioxidant power.

16:15

"Powerful Antioxidants: Green Tea and Amla"

  • 36 slices of pizza equal to 2750 grams, 7590 calories, and 323 grams of fat, compared to 100 grams and 57 calories for blueberries.
  • Amla is a potent antioxidant, requiring only a quarter teaspoon for daily consumption, often added to smoothies.
  • Allotonic, derived from aloe vera, is anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and boosts cellular immunity, with studies showing positive effects on blood sugar and triglyceride levels in diabetics.
  • Allotonic from Pink Lotus Elements is unique for being extracted without heat, preserving essential nutrients, and aiding in various inflammatory conditions like arthritis and autoimmune disorders.
  • Aloe vera's acemannan in allotonic has shown to down-regulate estrogen receptors on breast cancer cells, making it a powerful supplement.
  • Green tea is a potent antioxidant, particularly green tea extract, which can reverse the damage caused by the carcinogenic compound FIP found in cooked meats.
  • Green tea consumption benefits human health, reducing the incidence of various cancers and cardiovascular diseases significantly.
  • Three cups of green tea daily can lead to a 40% drop in the incidence of certain cancers, with a study showing a 57% drop in breast cancer recurrence in those consuming three cups daily.
  • Adding a squeeze of lemon to green tea boosts the absorption of the antioxidant EGCG by fivefold, enhancing its benefits.
  • Pink Lotus Elements offers a highly concentrated whole leaf matcha with 137 times more antioxidants than regular green tea, providing a potent source of health benefits.

34:12

"Anti-Cancer Smoothie Recipe and Dietary Tips"

  • Smoothie recipe:
  • Two big fistfuls of cruciferous veggies like kale and spinach
  • Two cupfuls of berries for dietary fiber
  • One or two tablespoons of ground flax seeds
  • A teaspoon of turmeric
  • A capful of aloe tonic
  • A teaspoon of ancient matcha
  • An eighth of a teaspoon of amla
  • Additional ingredients for antiestrogenic properties: citrus, cacao, apple, red grapes
  • Missing antiestrogenic foods: tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, seaweed, whole grains
  • Benefits of consuming the smoothie: helps combat DNA mutations and mismatches
  • Quantity and consumption details:
  • Recommended consumption of at least two 12-ounce glasses of the smoothie
  • Caloric content of the smoothie is around 380 calories
  • Available in the Let's Beat Breast Cancer campaign free e-cookbook
  • Encourages a whole food plant-based diet and exercise
  • Discourages alcohol consumption for breast cancer prevention
  • Alcohol's impact on health:
  • Alcohol increases estrogen levels, forming acetaldehyde that disrupts DNA synthesis and immune function
  • Inactivates folic acid, affecting DNA repair and immune function
  • Studies show a J-shaped curve in alcohol consumption and mortality rates
  • Moderate drinking may have some protective effects, but heavy drinking increases risks
  • Red wine may have some protective qualities due to its compounds
  • Red wine benefits:
  • Compounds in red wine affect cancer cell functions, inhibiting growth and metastases
  • Aromatase inhibitors in red wine can interfere with estrogen signaling in breast cancer cells
  • Phytochemicals in red wine, green tea, soy, and other foods have anti-cancer properties
  • Resveratrol in red grapes inhibits cancer formation stages
  • Dietary recommendations:
  • Include foods rich in phytochemicals like onions, kale, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, blueberries, and apples
  • Consume the skin of fruits and vegetables for maximum phytochemical benefits
  • Resveratrol from red grapes inhibits cancer initiation, promotion, and progression
  • Eating a variety of colorful plant foods ensures a diverse intake of phytochemicals

50:48

Folate and Methylfolate: Breast Cancer Prevention

  • Consuming chemicals in food form decreases breast cancer proliferation and migration.
  • Alcohol interferes with the conversion of folate into its active form, methylfolate, essential for DNA repair.
  • Individuals with sub-optimal MTHFR enzyme have an increased risk of breast cancer, which can be mitigated by consuming leafy greens.
  • Supplementing with 600 micrograms of folate daily can reduce breast cancer risk, especially for those who consume alcohol.
  • Taking a methylfolate supplement along with red wine can support DNA repair and overall health, aiding in breast cancer prevention.
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