What foods are you eating to reduce recurrence?

Wantshealth - Oh my gosh! I'd never even thought about soy or GMO materials in the chicken feed. Oiks!

I do try to buy organic, free-range eggs so maybe that covers that base (ditto when I buy chicken) but still, sometimes it seems as though grocery shopping is really picking one's way through a mine field.

YogaGirl - Hadn't thought of using peppers in 3-bean salad. That looks good! Thanks for sharing it.

Yoga girl - ...Had no idea rads would change or take my taste buds, but it did." Sometimes I wonder if there is any, single aspect of ourselves that isn't changed by this - generally for the worst.

BC - I had a feeling that lobular wasn't quite as responsive as ductal, unfortunately. I'm squarely with you in hoping that the AIs continue to work. I'm kind of counting on it and have to remind myself that it can change.

I'm sending a PM with more details.

If anyone else is interested in this conversation, let me know but I don't want to hijack the thread.

I don't know about cancer recurrence but I have tried to up my Vitamin D, too. How much are you taking? Also, I was told specifically to take D3. Is this what others are taking?

I've struggled with low levels of D so have been following the topic for almost 5 years - long before dx. I've read studies that show a protective effect on bc prior to dx but not much of an effect if levels are raised after dx. On the other hand, I've read studies showing that increasing D after dx of colon cancer seems to have an effect on longevity, so I am really not sure what to make of it all and I don't know if those earlier studies have been superseded by more recent research showing a protective effect after dx.

Given that D plays such a huge role in so many processes and contribute so much to our overall health and well-being, it certainly makes sense to keep ours at optimum levels rather than otherwise.

Trvler & bc101

Vitamin D3

MD increased D3 when BC was confirmed.  I was on 5,000-10,000 IU a day prior to BC for bone health once early menopause was confirmed and levels dropped very low.  Once I started on 10,000 IU (3 days a week) & 13,000 IU (every other day) my levels came back to a more normal range.  Blood work is accomplished every 3 months and has maintained in good range since.  I make sure I take calcium with it as they work together.  All my doctors have an opinion, but none of them agree with each other on what is the best amount to take daily.  I prefer to keep my blood test results in the slightly above average range numbers and agree with my MD who is treating BC more naturally.

Everyone is different, let your blood tests be your guide on what amount is best that will put your numbers in the correct range.  Insurance 'should' cover blood tests every 3 months to stay on top of it until your range is achieved.

Hope this helps.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/vitamin-d-may-boost-breast-cancer-survival-odds/

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24654464/ns/health-cancer/t/vitamin-d-may-benefit-breast-cancer-patients/#.VOQ7o01gPmI

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3718745/

I've been following my Vit D levels since diagnosis as well. My last results showed 46 which my doc said was normal. Does anyone know for sure what the normal range is? I was 38 last year and upped my dosage to 4000IU daily which got me to 46. Should I be taking more? And do I have to take calcium with it to make sure it works? I don't normally take calcium (I do drink quite a bit of milk and eat alot of yogurt) but now that I've had a hysterectomy my doc said to start calcium but not for another month. He doesn't want it to constipate me before I'm fully healed. So once I start what should be my dose of each?

I think you need to count your calcium if you eat a lot of it, only supplementing up to 1200 or 1500 daily

*Calcium, Magnesium & D3*

Be sure to have your blood work done first so you know where your baseline is for each.  Ask your doctor for the written results of your numbers (not just the paper that states you are in or out of range), the detail document will provide you with the low/high range criteria used by the facility that draws your blood. 

The rule of thumb I use (but will be different for everyone):

1300-1500mg of calcium daily split in 2-3 doses to include calcium food sources (helps keep the bone loss at a minimum).  Link for sample range:

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5278732_normal-calcium-levels-blood-tests.html - calcium ranges

250-500mg of magnesium daily split in 2 doses; taken with calcium for better absorption; also helps with muscle pain (leg cramps); headaches triggered by stress (fight/flight response) cortisol production.  Link for sample range:

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/magnesium-mg?page=2  - magnesium ranges

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3219182/ - cortisol and breast cancer

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201301/cortisol-why-the-stress-hormone-is-public-enemy-no-1 - cortisol and stress

D3 - see previous post details; taken at night with calcium/magnesium.  Varies depending on where your baseline is, sun exposure or lack thereof, supplements, etc.  If you are low, work with your doctor to increase your intake that will allow for the correct range for your body.  Link for sample range:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/05/12/vitamin-d-may-prevent-breast-cancer.aspx  = D3 studies, ranges, breast cancer research

Work with your doctor(s), find your healthy range for each, be informed and research to identify what is best for you.

Thanks for the links Yogagirl. I guess the jury is still out on Vitamin D and risk reduction for bc at least for post menopausal women. Still - I am upping my dosage of vit D3 just because it's wintertime and I suffer from SAD. It does seem to help my mood.

As far as calcium and mag - my supplement contains both, but I worry about getting too much calcium because I tend to drink a lot of milk. Does anyone know if there's a danger of getting too much calcium and having it buildup as plaque in your arteries? My MO says no, I'm going to ask my internal med doc.

The link on loving-kindness meditation is great. Some good ideas on how to take time to spread the love.

The study on stress is interesting, too. I wish there was a way to measure your stress levels, but I think we all know when we're stressed. The key is reducing it.

BTW, I made that 3 bean salad last night and served it on a bed of fresh baby spinach - it was sooo good! Made me think of summer. For some reason I only make this dish in the summertime.

LOL, send them to us. We weren't able to have kids so we'd love to have the distraction - for awhile, lol!

Thanks Manu14. I appreciate the feedback. I know they want to make sure I"m getting the proper intake because I have osteoporosis and also because I am doing Zometa. I'll check with my doc first, though, before doing anything more with supplements. In the meantime, I'll try to eat more foods high in Vit K.

Thanks so much for the clarification!

Sending them your way, BC101!

BC: Where do you live?