| More and more studies showing now that the | | | | with early menarche ( onset of first period), also |
| type of foods we eat can genetically modify our | | | | a breast cancer risk factor. |
| bodies and the risk of all major diseases. | | | | Despite such evidence, doubts about the fat |
| For years, researchers have studied the role of | | | | connection have persisted, fueled mainly by the |
| diet in breast cancer. By comparing different | | | | results of a large study of nurses run by Harvard |
| countries, researchers found strong links between | | | | University in which researchers found no |
| high fat diets and breast cancer risk. The disease | | | | association between fatty diets and breast cancer |
| is rare where the diets are very low in fat and | | | | rates. |
| where rice and other plant products are dietary | | | | Why the conflicting results? Unlike the populations |
| staples. For example, before 1950, the rice-based | | | | examined in international studies, the nurse were a |
| Japanese diet drew less than 10 percent of its | | | | fairly homogeneous group, all eating fairly high-fats |
| calories from fat. Breast cancer was exceedingly | | | | diets. No group in the study was following |
| rare. But over the years, as Western influences | | | | anything similar to a traditional Asian diet or other |
| have altered Japanese eating habits, breast cancer | | | | low -fat diet. |
| rates have climbed dramatically. | | | | As important as it is to get fat off your plate, it's |
| These international studies are just one line of | | | | just as important to pile on the vegetables and |
| evidence, however. Case-control studies are | | | | other healthful plants foods. Their fiber helps cut |
| another research tool in which researchers | | | | breast cancer risk by naturally decreasing |
| compare diets of cancer patients ( "case") with | | | | estrogen levels. Plants foods are also rich in |
| those of healthy women of similar age and | | | | beta-carotene, vitamin C, and other vitamins |
| background ( " control"). Such studies have also | | | | which protect cells against damage. Unlike animal |
| shown a links between fatty diets and higher risk | | | | products, most plants foods have little fat and do |
| of breast cancer, and even on cancer patient's | | | | not store up large amounts of pesticide residue. |
| chances for survival. One study tracking Canadian | | | | A brisk morning walk- or any other regular |
| breast cancer patients for ten years found that | | | | exercise- also helps cut breast cancer risk. |
| for 5 percent increase in saturated fat in diets, | | | | Of course, the good fats ( omega 3 and 6), |
| the risk of dying of breast cancer shot up by 50 | | | | known as essential fatty acids are vital to one's |
| percent. | | | | health. Their paramount importance comes from |
| How does fat do its dirty work? Fat increase the | | | | the facts that they constitute the membranes of |
| amount of estrogen in the blood. In turn, this | | | | every cell in the body, therefore the ones allowing |
| hormone stimulates breast cells in such a way | | | | nutrients into the cells ( to the eliminated). |
| that cancer is more likely to occur and is more | | | | The major organ helping fats metabolism is the |
| aggressive. Fatty foods also leads to obesity | | | | liver, therefore ensuring that the liver always |
| which itself is linked to higher estrogen levels in | | | | works well one can reduce breast cancer risks. |
| the blood. Increased estrogen levels are also linked | | | | |