Breast cancer risk factors can be reduced by intaking vitamins

Women worry about their breast health a lot. With increased information about breast cancer and other diseases we tend to worry more. But simple things as vitamins may actually improve our breast health. It may sound very simple when we have got accustomed to jargons like mammogram and mastectomy, but research shows that adequate intake of certain vitamins can actually enhance our breast health and reduce risk of breast cancer also. Let us see how vitamins can help us in improving our breast health.

How vitamins reduces risk of breast cancer

When we talk about balanced diet we generally mean a diet which comprises of foods from all food groups so that our body gets the necessary nourishment and our immunity system strengthens. Vitamins comprise a major part of the essentials that we should consume daily. Most vitamins contain antioxidants which curb the growth of free radicals that cause harm to our tissues. By strengthening our tissues, they ensure we ward off harmful bacteria and chemicals that may cause diseases like breast cancer and cysts etc.

Vitamins & Breast cancer

Let us discuss here the vitamins can reduces our breast cancer risk and improves breast health.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is the most talked about vitamin which can improve our breast health.

Benefits of vitamin D on breast health

• Vitamin D is linked to a gene which produces an enzyme that reduces the damage caused by free radicals to the cells.
• The cells are relieved of the stress and become more resistant to toxins that can harm them.
• Vitamin D also reduces the ability of breast cells to divide and prevents tumor cells from spreading.
• It also boosts up our immunity system. Thus adding immunity to breast health.
• In a research in a cancer treatment centre in America, it was found that all cancer patients were all vitamin D deficient. So, vitamin D reduces breast cancer risk.

These are enough good reasons to include vitamin D in our daily diet to reduce breast cancer risk and improve our breast health .

Sources of vitamin D

The cheapest and easiest source of vitamin D is sunlight. Exposure to sunlight in the early morning and late evening for only 30 minutes is sufficient for our body. Other sources of vitamin D are salmons, mackerel, sardines, eggs and fortified milk.

Benefits of Vitamin E on breast health

Vitamin E is long considered a wonder drug for its effects on skin.

• It contains antioxidants that protect us against tissue damage.
• Antioxidants fight against free radicals that damage our DNA.
• Moreover, vitamin E is known to alleviate symptoms of fibrocystic breasts. It helps in restoring balance between estrogen and progesterone in patients who have breast cysts.
• Vitamin E slows down the growth of tumor cells.
• It checks blood vessels from growing in tumors thus helping in retarding the growth of tumors and breast cancer.
• A combination of folic acid and vitamin E is extremely good for breast health and reducing risk of breast cancer.

Sources of vitamin E

Most leafy green vegetables contain vitamin E. Avocados, sweet potatoes, almonds, vegetable oils and sardines are rich in vitamin E. It can be taken as supplement also. But some doctors prefer food over supplements as a better source of vitamin E as it is best absorbed from natural sources.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B and folate if consumed less increases risk of breast cancers. So, for improving breast health this vitamin should form a part of regular diet.

Source of vitamin B and folate

Beans, vegetables, whole grains and fortified breakfast cereals contain vitamin B.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A contains beta-carotene, which is an excellent antioxidant. It is a fat-soluble vitamin which works to maintain a healthy skin, mucous membranes and hair. It is also linked to reproduction system.
But it should never be taken in excess as it increases risk of lung cancer.

Source of vitamin A

Mango, watermelon, breads, grain products, oatmeal and apricots are good source of vitamin A.

Along with sufficient intake of vitamins we also have to take care of certain things like lowering consumption of dietary fiber which leads to obesity. We all know that obesity is a prime reason behind lot of diseases including breast cancer.
We also have to consume calcium rich foods as calcium combines with vitamin D to strengthen our bones. For our overall health benefits which include breast health also, we should also lower blood cholesterol.

Ensuring that we consume all the essential vitamins in right proportion along with exercising will enhance our breast health and also help in preventing diseases like breast cancer.