LADIES – Are your daily habits and lifestyle contributing to healthy breasts?

by Dr. Angelina Riopel, ND

Daily habits and lifestyle are cumulative and have a huge impact on our health. The little things really do count! Here are a few things that you can GIVE UP and BEGIN that will improve breast health.

GIVE UP

UNDERWIRE BRA

Or at least save it for special occasions. Go without or switch to a cotton sport-type bra for everyday. Lymphatic movement is essential to breast health and under-wires impair lymphatic drainage from the breasts.

ANTIPERSPIRANT

Antiperspirants are full of toxins, including aluminum, which is absorbed into your system. We really don’t want to stop sweating anyway! It is an essential way that our breasts and underarms rid toxins. There are a number of natural, toxin free deodorants on the market now that really do work. You will still sweat but you won’t smell.

TOXIC BODY LOTION

The skin is the largest organ in the body and absorbs what we put on it. Many body lotions are full of toxins, including petroleum, silicone and parabens. Parabens are endocrine disrupters, and mimic estrogen. They have been detected in breast cancer tissue, which suggests an association with parabens and breast cancer.

Try using organic oils, such as almond, grape seed, jojoba or coconut oil. They will make your skin feel great and contain nutrients and essential fatty acids that are beneficial to over all health.

BEGIN

DRY SKIN BRUSHING

Dry skin brushing a couple times per week, helps to improve lymphatic drainage and move toxins and lymph away from the breasts.

Buy a long handled, natural bristle brush or a loofah mitt. Begin at your feet, moving up towards your body in a circular motion, then from your hands down your arms, breasts and underarms and neck towards the abdomen – this is where the lymphatic drainage ducts are. Use as much pressure as comfortable and for about 10 minutes. Do this when you wake in the morning or before you shower.

CONTRAST SHOWERS

Contrast showers help to stimulate the immune system and improve circulation, which in turn helps with toxin elimination. Hot 3 minutes : Cold 30 seconds (as cold as possible). Repeat this pattern 3 times!

SEA VEGETABLES

Introduce seaweed into your diet a few times per week. Wakame, nori, hijiki, dulse and kelp can be added to soups, salads or toasted as a snack. They are a rich source of minerals such as calcium, iron and iodine and offer protection against radiation and breast cancer.

By Dr. Angelina Riopel ND|2016-11-08T11:25:32-05:00October 30th, 2014|Self Care|Comments Off

About the Author: Dr. Angelina Riopel ND

Dr. Angelina Riopel is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Ontario. Angelina began her studies in Melbourne, Australia at the Melbourne College of Natural Medicine obtaining a degree in health sciences, specializing in naturopathy. She is a member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) and the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND). Angelina has practiced in both Edmonton and Toronto and has treated everything from simple digestive issues to complex terminal illnesses. She has trained extensively in the use of IV Therapy for acute and chronic disease, and has a special interest in women’s health, hormonal imbalances, chronic fatigue and digestive health. By working through her own undiagnosed health concerns at a young age, Angelina learned the importance of listening to the body. She believes that the body is constantly communicating through symptoms, letting us know when we are in and out of balance. She is passionate about working with individuals to achieve internal balance and optimal health through mastering the basics of healthy living.

LADIES – Are your daily habits and lifestyle contributing to healthy breasts?