I’ve got to say, I love to read any reports and studies that support my addictions -ahem, I mean affection for three “food” groups that may help prevent breast cancer.

The most commonly known snacks that have been linked by a variety of health studies to help reduce the risk of breast cancer include:

• Chocolate
• Wine
• Coffee

Now of course, the caveat when you read any of these studies about so-called “superfoods that fight breast cancer”, is that they recommend you only consume such things in moderation.

What does that even mean?

Of course, there are also many proven studies and common sense that says an addiction to coffee and alcohol can have negative health effects, among other issues with alcohol addiction. So it goes without saying you should enjoy these two breast cancer fighting foods responsibly.

Eating moderate amounts of chocolate, dark chocolate to be more accurate, has also been linked to the prevention of breast cancer and heart disease  - the real leading killer of women. So shouldn’t we all indulge, just a little?

That is the key right there – a little! Most recommendations state: “eating up to 20gm (two small squares) of dark chocolate every three days lowers the risk of heart disease by one-third in women”

Of course, one of the reasons eating a limited amount of chocolate in particular is the potential weight gain associated with indulging in decadent chocolates and desserts. And carrying an unhealthy amount of weight can actually increase your risk of breast cancer.

If you’re not a coffee drinker, chocoholic, or wine lover (really?? not one of those things? what’s wrong with you??? j/k!!) – ypu can also give these related items as gifts which donate to breast cancer charities!

Coffee
Cook for the Cure Collection, Shop @Kitchen Aid >>

Coffee Cool Down Bottle Pink Ribbon Edition -$9.95 The Breast Cancer Awareness logo Trudeau Corporation donates to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation 5 of its selling price for each BCRF thermal item sold.
Chocolate

Breast Cancer Cookies for a Cure Buy Now >>

Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon Chocolate Coins >> Buy here
Wine & Wine Accessories to Beat Breast Cancer:

Riedel Set of 2 Vinum Crystal Rosé Wine Glasses >>
Pink Ribbon Wine Opener

The Acai Berry fruit comes from Brazil, and has had a variety of traditional food uses, mostly for flavorings, but adding a significant protein to Brazilian diets.

A wide variety of claims have been made about the Acai berry, promising everything from weight loss, to enhanced energy and sexual performance. It’s even shown up in a variety of skin care treatments (yes, really – 100% Pure Organic Acai Berry Antioxidant Facial Cream), and the richness of “acai berry” is now a popular color in fashion. (seriously- Zappos has this
Elie Tahari – Michelle Dress in Acai Berry)

But what, if anything, can the Acai Berry do to help prevent breast cancer? Read on…

Certainly something I’m interested in finding out. We’ve heard for years that fruits and vegetables particularly high in nutrients and healthy antioxidants are part of a healthy diet, considered to be a bonus booster in preventing breast cancer.

Myth or Mega Fruit?
According to Quackwatch, “açai juice has only middling levels of antioxidants—less than that of Concord grape, blueberry, and black cherry juices, but more than cranberry, orange, and apple juices.”

So, that presumably means that any Acai Berry formula -daily supplement pills, powders or juices – combined with those juices higher in antioxidant values might provide an added boost to one’s overall health.

What the FDA says about Acai Berry & Breast Cancer

Since the FDA does not have the budget to run clinical trials or extensive testing on dietary supplements, the agency does not “approve” dietary supplements in the way it carefully evaluates prescription drugs. That means so far, there have been no significant or reputable, independent studies that link Acai Berry to breast cancer prevention.

However, the FDA does publish stringent marketing guidelines for companies selling the Acai Berry dietary supplement in any form, and works to at least stop Acai Berry manufacturers from making misleading claims.

Therefore, Acai Berry cannot at this time, necessarily be sold as a prevention for breast cancer. You can always search the FDAwebsite for information about companies falsely marketing Acai berry products.

However, as part of a regular, healthy diet supported by foods rich in antioxidants, the Acai Berry supplements may have some wider health benefits. You can take some of the supplements on a trial basis to see if you notice a difference in your own personal health.

If nothing else, many of the juices and energy drinks made with Acai Berry flavors are quite tasty! So you might consider them along the lines of the juices you find in organic and natural health food stores.

Where to Buy Acai Berry Products:

You can find Acai Berry supplements & related acai products at nearly any price point, as you can see below. If you’re a new user of Acai, you can surely find one priced right with little risk. But if you are already an avid Acai berry user, you might find something new to try out.

Home Shopping Network:
Andrew Lessman Ultimate Acai Berry Extracts – 360 Capsules for $124.95 from the makers of this product:

“Unfortunately, Acai’s great publicity seems to have resulted in a great deal of exaggerated health and weight-loss claims for low-quality products. However, with Andrew’s Ultimate Acai Berry Extracts, you can be assured of the potential benefits this nutritious dark purple berry can provide….The formula delivers the standardized ingredients not present in other acai drinks or supplements without their false medical or weight-loss claims. Ultimate Acai Berry Extracts provides the highest quality, standardized extracts of acai fruit without the sugar, calories and unethical claims so typical of acai products. Suggested Use: Consume 1 or more capsules daily or as recommended by a health care professional.”

You can also try a smaller amount of
Andrew Lessman Ultimate Acai Berry Extracts – 30 Capsules for just $17.90

Acai Berry Super Antioxidant- $39.95 >>

The Ultimate Acai Smoothie Cookbook – $13.95

Pure Body Acai – 60 caplets on sale: $24.95

Age Reversal Skin Cream with Acai – on sale: $69.95

To shop around and learn more about Acai berry supplements and acai products, you can always browse hundreds of Acai Berry product reviews at Amazon.

disclaimer: some advertisements may appear on this article as a result of the topic, I do not not necessarily endorse, nor take any responsibility for any products bought from the links on this page.

sponsors:
Save upto 50% on Vitamins & Supplements only at HerbsPro

Christina Applegate Breast Cancer Survivor -photo by flickr user CC

Since her very public battle with breast cancer last year, and radical (and controversial) decision* to undergo a double mastectomy, Christina Applegate became the latest celebrity to become a spokesperson for the disease, and help raise awareness and research funds through a number of charitable organizations.In 2009, Christina Applegate became the official ambassador for Lee National Denim Day, which takes place on Friday October 2, 2009.

Christina Applegate talks about Lee Denim Day, her improvement in her overall health, revealed her twitter handle (she said Christina Applegate wasn’t available! we’re following all your Denim & #BCAM tweets now!) and shakes her booty in a recent visit to the Ellen DeGeneres show:

It’s not to late to get your company or school on board to participate in National Denim Day, go here to set up your team and donate your $5. Do it even if your company didn’t organize an official denim day or if you forgot to wear jeans on Friday, October 2, 2009. And mark your calendar to sign up for National Denim Day 2010.

You can also become a fan of Lee National Denim Day on Facebook.

13 Years of Denim Day

In the 13 years since the inaugural Lee National Denim Day, Lee National Denim Day has raised more than $75 million for the fight against breast cancer and unites nearly one million supporters nationwide each year. You can also shop online for for Women’s Lee Jeans.

*personally, I completely support and applaud Christina Applegate’s decision to go for the double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, despite the fact that she was fortunate enough to be in the early detection club. I wouldn’t think twice about doing the same  if I am ever in her position, given a similar family history.

Current Search Results for Breast Cancer in iTunes:

Breast Cancer Education & Awareness Fundraisers on iTunes

Examples of Free iTunes Podcasts on Breast Cancer:
Yale Cancer Center Answers

Mayo Clinic Cancer Podcast

There are hundreds of additional podcasts on cancer available on iTunes U.

Buy Breast Cancer Audiobooks & Movies:

On iTunes, you can also purchase several audiobooks sharing experiences with breast cancer, as well as a variety of Lifetime Movies and other video specials where breast cancer is the primary topic, including these great downloads:

Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy

Matters of Life & Dating (Starring Rikki Lake) – You can also download the single that is featured in the movie, – “My Bra” by popstar Mya – all proceeds of the $0.99 single will go to breast cancer research foundation.

In addition, you can still buy the “Just Stand UP!” charitable single from the 2008 Stand Up to Cancer (S2UC) fundraising event.
Just Stand Up! Featuring: Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Natasha Bedingfield, Miley Cyrus, Leona Lewis, Carrie Underwood, Keyshia Cole, LeAnn Rimes, Ashanti, Ciara & Mariah Carey

The Breast Cancer Monologues

You’re Not Alone: Conversations with Breast Cancer Survivors and Those Who Love Them

Just download iTunes or visit the iTunes Store Audiobooks (if you don’t already have it on your computer) to search all audio books, TV shows and movie specials, or find more iTunes Podcasts about breast cancer.

iPhone Apps Support Susan G. Komen Foundation!

Since I first published this on my blogspot blog, the iPhone App Store has been introduced, and the Susan G Komen Foundation put out a breast cancer awareness App to help raise money for the cure. The iPhone App emulates an hourglass where you can watch the grains of sand move as you flip your iPhone, and it acts like a timer, you can set options from 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

It may not be the most useful App, but you know that the money goes direct to Susan G Komen. Clicking the links below will take you directly to the app store and open up iTunes (it will ask you if you need to install):

There are a host of other Pink Ribbon Awareness Apps and others, including a Pink Ribbon Ping Pong game.