[WOMEN] “New” nutrient lowers BREAST CANCER risk 24%

Ladies, we all know there’s nothing that can completely keep breast cancer from targeting you or someone you love.

But maintaining a healthy weight… an active lifestyle… routine mammograms… and even staying away from postmenopausal hormone therapies are all simple, “lifestyle” changes that can lower your risk.

But today I’ve got something else to add to your arsenal.

It’s a relatively “newly” discovered nutrient. But if you’re getting enough of it, it can lower your risk of breast cancer nearly 24%!

Choline is an essential nutrient that your body (specifically your liver) produces on its own, but you also get it from your diet.

If you haven’t heard of choline before, you’re not alone. Choline is still relatively “new.”

In fact, it wasn’t until 1998 that the Institute of Medicine officially acknowledged it as a valuable nutrient—so it’s only been recognized for 24 years.

I still have clothes older than choline!

Today choline is considered critical for liver function, healthy brain development, muscle movement, the nervous system, and your metabolism.

However, most folks are deficient in choline—especially older women.

See, choline is produced by estrogen. But estrogen levels drop as you age (especially in postmenopausal women), so many aren’t getting optimal levels of choline.

You’ll want to ensure the amount you’re getting IS optimal—not just for the benefits mentioned above, but also because a new study found it helps reduce your risk of breast cancer.

A study of over 1,500 women found that those with high choline diets were 24% LESS LIKELY to get breast cancer.

And with cases of breast cancer expected to DOUBLE by the year 2030, it’s crucial to take any steps to reduce your risk.

So how do you make sure you’re getting ENOUGH choline?

Consider eating more eggs. A single egg clocks in about 20-25% of your daily choline requirement. So, two large eggs provide almost half of your daily needs.

You can also opt for choline-rich supplements like choline chloride, CDP-choline, alpha-GPC and betaine.

CDP-choline and alpha-GPC tend to be higher in choline content per unit weight and are usually better absorbed by your body.

Studies around choline in older adults—specifically women—lean towards 425 mg per day. But be sure to take the dosage listed on the product label, and talk to your doctor prior to starting supplementation routine.

To stopping breast cancer,

Sarah Reagan

Sources:

Brown, Mary Jane. “What Is Choline? An Essential Nutrient With Many Benefits.” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-choline

Mayo Clinic. “Breast cancer prevention: How to reduce your risk.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/breast-cancer-prevention/art-20044676

Breast Cancer Research Foundation. “Breast Cancer in the Elderly: Treating this Growing Patient Population.” https://www.bcrf.org/blog/breast-cancer-elderly-treating-growing-patient-population/