Information from Whole Foods Educational Event on Plant-Based Eating
We wanted to share the Handout on plant based eating, prepared by TurningPoint’s Dietitian Lisa Eisele, RD, LD, from our recent Education Event held at the Avalon Whole Foods Salud Cooking School.
Patient Perspective: Jodie
I was diagnosed in Jan. 2017, with breast cancer in both breasts. I had a double mastectomy in February and then an axillary node dissection which removed all my lymph nodes on the right side. I had 16 rounds of chemo and 32 rounds of radiation. I first started going to TurningPoint after my surgeries, because I could barely lift my arms over my head. They were amazing and got me back to where I could reach into my top cabinets again and could start lifting light weights. I went back to TurningPoint after my radiation was complete because my right side was so stiff. The radiation treatment really inhibited my right side and I was again unable to lift my right arm over my head, and I was in a lot of pain. Once again TurningPoint got me back to a sense of normalcy. I am now able to fully reach over my head, and I’ve started lifting weights again. The pain in my arm and shoulder has almost completely gone. I still go to TurningPoint about once a month to work on my range of motion. I really don’t know where I would be without them! When I think back to how stiff and tight I was after the surgery and then radiation, it’s amazing the difference! I’m truly grateful for them.
Evidence Update: Legumes’ Many Benefits
There is more to a LEGUME than meets the eye. Legumes also referred to as beans or pulses, are also known as “the poor man’s protein”. Known mostly for keeping our colon healthy, legumes offer an array of health benefits including cancer prevention. Legumes are an excellent and economical source of protein, iron, and folate and a substantial source of magnesium and potassium, not to mention phosphorous, zinc, and copper. Dry beans, split peas, and other legumes also contain a variety of phytochemicals. Scientists are studying the phytochemicals present in legumes for their anti-cancer effects. In laboratory studies, flavonoids found in legumes have slowed the development of cancers during several stages of development. Current research suggests that cell protection may come from both directly affecting cell growth and from antioxidant activity. More research is needed, but the studies are promising. Legumes provide 20% of your recommended daily allowance for fiber. Dietary fiber plays a role in lowering cancer risk by helping with weight control and keeping the colon healthy. Weight control is important in cancer prevention because research suggests that excess body fat can increase the risk of eight types of cancers and can increase the risk of recurrence in cancer survivors. Gut bacteria feed on fiber, which produces compounds that can protect colon cells, playing a role in keeping the colon cancer-free. Total dietary fiber intake should be 25 to 30 grams a day from food, not supplements preferably. Currently, dietary fiber intake among adults in the United States averages about 15 grams a day. Legumes are a fantastic way to help meet your recommended 25-30 grams per day. When increasing fiber in your diet, do so gradually and make sure you are drinking plenty of fluid to avoid constipation. Source: American Institute for Cancer Research
Patient Perspective: Jody
In January of 2015, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was fortunate in that my cancer was caught early, but there were still decisions to be made and treatments to be selected. With all the information and guidance I was given by my doctors during the diagnosis period, leading up to surgery, and post-op follow up visits with doctors, I had no information about what life would be like after breast cancer. More importantly, I had no idea how to get myself back to the active and independent woman I was prior to my diagnosis. About three months after finding out that I had breast cancer I was given the diagnosis of cording, and that is when I was referred to TurningPoint for physical therapy. With everything there was to worry about with a breast cancer diagnosis, it had never entered my mind that I could wind up with such a limited range of motion that it would negatively impact my life. At TurningPoint, the physical therapists have a comprehensive understanding of the issues that are specific to breast cancer, breast cancer surgeries, and breast cancer treatments. I left my first physical therapy session feeling relieved, encouraged, and confident that I could get back to functioning as I did prior to breast cancer. My physical therapist sent me home that first day with a stretching program that she revised weekly as my range of motion increased. Every therapy session made a positive impact on my condition, and I saw myself improving daily as I continued to work on my home program. Now that I am three and a half years cancer free, TurningPoint is still a big part of my life. My favorite thing about TurningPoint now is the Wednesday morning Pilates Class that I have been participating in for the past 3 years. Pilates has become the core of my personal wellness program. It is my one hour a week when I do something good for myself, led by an instructor who knows exactly what I need to focus on, with a group of women who have walked parallel journeys to mine. TurningPoint Pilates is exercise, therapy, compassion, and camaraderie. Our instructor tailors the class to breast cancer survivors, but she also advises, educates, and facilitates discussions, adding an educational component to our weekly class. At 60 years old, I am stronger, more flexible, and more knowledgeable about wellness than I have ever been. TurningPoint has been invaluable not only to my recovery, but to my maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
