Breast cancer is no more restricted to women over 40 years of age. More and more cases of young women suffering from this condition is being reported in our country and worldwide, raising an alarm. It is necessary that we do our best to lower the risk. Regular self-examination of breasts is very important. A balanced diet and ample physical activity is also required to keep breast cancer at bay. Nutrients like iodine have found to be beneficial. So while you may think eating less salt is good for the health, the iodine in the salt is actually helping you fight breast cancer.
How iodine helps?
Iodine deficiency in the body can increase your risk of breast cancer. In fact, a study shows that incidence of breast cancer was lower in Japanese women as their diet included a lot of seaweed, which is a rich source of iodine and selenium. Iodine leads to the regression of the benign breast tissue[1]. In breast cancer patients, tissue iodine levels are low as compared to normal patients. There are studies that have linked breast cancer to thyroid, where hypothyroidism increases the chances of breast cancer or is prevalent among breast cancer patients[2]. Another study has also indicated that seaweed, which was rich in iodine killed breast cancer cells more effectively than chemotherapy medication. According to another study, iodine has exhibited strong suppressive effects in in-vitro breast cancer cells [3]. These effects were stronger than that of the drug most commonly used in breast cancer chemotherapy. Wondering if your iodine level is low? Look out for these signs that tell you that your body needs more iodine.
How to increase the intake of iodine?
While eating too much salt can increase other complications, you can incorporate other iodine rich foods in your diet for lowering your risk of breast cancer. Foods like potatoes, navy beans, cranberries and seaweed are excellent sources of iodine and can help you in the long run and keep thyroid levels normal too. Did you know these things can put you at the risk of breast cancer?
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For more articles on breast cancer, visit our breast cancer section. For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. For disease related queries, visit our forum. References:
For more articles on breast cancer, visit our breast cancer section. For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. For disease related queries, visit our forum. References:
- Smyth, P. P. (2003). The thyroid, iodine and breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research, 5(5), 235-238.
- GOLDMAN, M. B., MALOOF, F., MONSON, R. R., ASCHENGRAU, A., COOPER, D. S., & RIDGWAY, E. C. (1988). Radioactive iodine therapy and breast cancer a follow-up study of hyperthyroid women. American journal of epidemiology, 127(5), 969-980.
- Funahashi, H., Imai, T., Mase, T., Sekiya, M., Yokoi, K., Hayashi, H., ... & Tanuma, S. (2001). Seaweed prevents breast cancer?. Cancer Science, 92(5), 483-487.