Tag Archive for: Health

Breast Cancer-Get the facts!

October is Breast Cancer awareness month and a perfect time to learn the facts about this very common and potentially deadly disease. Below are some facts from Breastcancer.org, where you can find out more information if you or a loved one is fighting this cancer.

  • 1 out if 8 women will get breast cancer during their lifetime (12%)
  • A man’s risk for breast cancer is 1 in 1000
  • In 2015 – 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed
  • In 2015- over 40,000 women are expected to die from breast cancer
  • Breast cancer has the 2nd highest mortality rate for cancers with the exception of lung cancer in women
  • 2nd to skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer for American women
  • Under the age of 45, African American women are at higher risk than white women
  • Hispanic, Asian and Native American women are at lower risk of developing breast cancer at any age
  • Risk doubles if a woman has a first degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) that had breast cancer
  • Only 5-10% of breast cancer can be linked to having the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2
  • If you have BRCA1 you risk goes up to 45-55%
  • BRCA2 the risk is 45%
  • 85% of breast cancer occurs with NO family history
  • Top risk factors are gender and aging

 

While exercise, eating a healthy diet, not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight all contribute to staying cancer free, the best weapon against breast cancer is a mammogram. There are two main types of mammograms available today, film or digital, talk to your doctor to see which is most appropriate for you. Film mammograms and digital both take two pictures of the breasts. The difference is how they are printed and stored. The actual process is the same but the storing of the results is different. Film is on film and digital is on a computer. The benefit to the digital is that they can be shared between doctors easily and blown up to see closer if something looks suspicious. There is also a 3D mammogram, which is available in 48 of our 50 states. The 3D mammogram takes images form various angles of the breast in ‘slices’, which allows for a deeper more accurate view. However, 3D mammograms are not always covered by insurance and are costly at $150 and up.These mammograms are good for younger women, women with dense breast tissue or implants. Studies have shown that 3D mammography may help up to 40% more to detect cancer. They also lessen the ‘call backs’ because they are so precise.

Knowledge and early detection saves lives. Mammograms take 10-20 minutes and while they can be uncomfortable they do not hurt. If you have a family history of breast cancer, mammograms are being recommended at an earlier age than 40. Talk to your mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, grandmas and friends. Urge them to get tested and have yearly mammograms. Another great way to help fight this disease is by raising money and participating in a Breast Cancer walk/run. Think Pink!

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Healthy (and Delicious) Labor Day Menu

Celebrate Labor Day with these party-friendly, delicious and healthy recipes. 

Dr. G’s Summertime Baked Salmon (incase you don’t have a grill)

2 salmon fillets (can feed 4 people)
1 teaspoons of Peppercorns (black & red)
1 tablespoon of Honey (Manuka for the texture)
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
Parsley( raw for topping after baked)Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

  1. In a small bowl mix the peppercorns, honey and mustard. Spread evenly across both filets covering all the flesh.
  2. Place filets skin side down on parchment paper inside a baking dish.
  3. Bake for 20 mins or until the middle of the fish is to your liking.
  4. Remove salmon and let it rest for 5 mins then sprinkle sea salt and fresh chopped parsley on top and serve.

Summer Salad

Red Leaf Lettuce – A whole head torn up
Fresh Dill – Chopped and sprinkled throughout.
3-4 Nectarines – Peeled and sectioned
1 Med Cucumber – Sliced very thin
1 Orange halved – To be used for the dressing
(2 tsp) extra virgin olive oil
(pinch) Sea Salt
(pinch) Fresh Ground Pepper

To make the dressing, simply squeeze the orange into a small bowl, add olive oil, salt and pepper and mix vigorously with a whisk. Dress the salad just before serving.

Healthy (and delicious) Fruit Kabobs

1 Large package of strawberries, cut into halves
½ cantaloupe, cut into balls or cubes
2 bananas, peeled and cut into chunks
1 Pineapple, cut into chunks
20 skewers

  1. Thread the strawberries, cantaloupe, banana and pineapple pieces alternately onto skewers, placing at least 2 pieces of fruit on each skewer.
  2. Arrange the fruit skewers decoratively on a serving platter.
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How to increase Vitamin C internally

“Vitamin C is arguably the most important vitamin due to all its capabilities internally and externally.”

Dr. Goldfaden

Photo via @designlovefest

We know what vitamin C does for your skin, but it is also crucial for your body and that coveted glow! Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights free radicals, supports the immune system and helps make collagen in the body! Vitamin C has also been shown to lower LDL (the bad cholesterol), ward off heart disease and absorb iron in the body. But here comes the tricky part…Humans lack the ability to produce their own vitamin C. Because vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, a large portion of the vitamin C we ingest gets excreted before our body can actually use it.

How much we need

Men need around 90 mg per day while women need 75mg. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding you need anywhere from 85-120mg a day!

How to get it

Oral supplementation:

65-90mg per day should do the trick. Don’t take too much as it can interfere with the absorption of other crucial vitamins and upset the digestive system.

Eating foods rich in Vitamin C:

Red peppers, bell peppers, strawberries, kiwi, oranges, kale and fermented foods as mentioned in Health.com (kimchi or sauerkraut) all rank super high in vitamin C. A diet high in these fruits and vegetables will ensure glowing skin.

 

 

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