Conquering Breast Cancer with Nutrition

When it comes to breast cancer, there are a lot of things out of our control. We can’t control our genes, and we can’t always control the environment around us. However, there is one thing we can control – our nutrition. Proper nutrition is key to conquering breast cancer.

The right nutrients can help your body repair damage caused by chemotherapy and radiation, rebuild healthy cells, reduce inflammation, and boost your immune system. Eating the right foods can also help you manage side effects from treatment, such as fatigue, pain, anxiety, depression, and nausea. If you are undergoing treatment for breast cancer, or are a survivor, here are some nutrients you should make sure to include in your diet.

Protein: Protein is essential for repairing damaged cells and building new ones. It also helps fight fatigue. Good protein sources include lean meats, poultry, fish, legumes, tofu, eggs, nuts, and seeds.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A helps keep your immune system strong. It also helps promote healthy cell growth and plays a role in wound healing. Vitamin A can be found in sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach, tomatoes, eggs, fortified dairy products, and cod liver oil.

Zinc: Zinc helps boost immunity and cell growth. It also plays a role in wound healing. Good sources of zinc include oysters, beef, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains, and dairy products.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids help fight inflammation. They have also been shown to decrease the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish (such as salmon), chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, and soybeans.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D helps regulate cell growth and has been shown to decrease the risk of breast cancer recurrence. You can get vitamin D from sunlight, fortified foods (such as milk and cereal ), oily fish (such as tuna ), eggs, and mushrooms.

These are just a few important nutrients for breast cancer patients and survivors. By including these nutrients in your diet, you will be giving yourself the best chance to conquer breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about other nutrient needs specific to you.