Many people believe that breast cancer is primarily caused by genetics, but did you know that only 5-10% of cases are linked to inherited mutations like BRCA1, BRCA2, and CHEK2? The truth is, your overall health and risk of recurrence are influenced by key biological processes such as&nbsp;detoxification, methylation, and inflammation—and these are things you can actively support with your nutrition and lifestyle choices. In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, I break down how these processes impact your health, how to recognize the signs of imbalance in your body, and why a low-carbohydrate diet can be a powerful tool in regulating glucose, insulin, and inflammation. I also explain why&nbsp;nutrition isn’t about restriction—it’s about giving your body the support it needs to function at its best. You’ll learn:✔️ Why genetics are only part of the breast cancer risk equation✔️ How detoxification, methylation, and inflammation work together to protect your body✔️ Common signs that these processes may not be working efficiently✔️ How blood sugar regulation impacts detox, inflammation, and cancer risk✔️ How a low-carb, nutrient-dense diet supports healing and reduces recurrence risk✔️ Simple, actionable steps to support your body's detox, inflammation, and methylation pathways This episode will empower you to understand your unique genetic blueprint and how to make lifestyle changes that align with your body’s needs. It’s not about fear—it’s about taking control of your health and&nbsp;making choices that truly support healing. Resources &amp; Links: 📌&nbsp;Join the&nbsp;&nbsp;for more in-depth support 📌 Visit&nbsp; to learn more about genetic testing and personalized nutrition strategies 📌 Follow me for more breast cancer recovery tips:  Instagram:&nbsp; Facebook:&nbsp; Pinterest:&nbsp;  If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend who could benefit, and don’t forget to leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. 🎧 Listen now and take a powerful step toward reclaiming your health! &nbsp;

#400 Breast Cancer Prevention - Why Your Genes Aren't the Whole Story

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we’re talking about the crucial role of magnesium in breast cancer recovery, metabolic health, and overall well-being &nbsp; What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Why magnesium is vital for breast cancer survivors and how it supports healing✅ How chemotherapy, aromatase inhibitors, and stress deplete magnesium levels✅ The best types of magnesium supplements (and which one is right for you!)✅ How to get enough magnesium through diet with whole, nutrient-dense foods✅ Signs of magnesium deficiency and how to test your levels✅ How magnesium impacts inflammation, bone density, and hormone balance &nbsp; Download Your Free Resources: 📥  – A complete guide with magnesium-rich recipes, grocery lists, and meal prep tips to naturally boost your levels.📥 – Learn about the best forms of magnesium for stress, sleep, digestion, energy, and cardiovascular health. &nbsp; Key Takeaways &amp; Science-Based Insights:   Nearly half of Americans are magnesium deficient (National Institutes of Health).  Magnesium helps regulate inflammation by influencing cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha, which are linked to disease progression.  Aromatase inhibitors used in breast cancer treatment reduce bone mineral density, making magnesium essential for bone health.  Chronic stress, processed foods, and medication use (such as PPIs and diuretics) all contribute to magnesium depletion.  Magnesium testing can help determine whether supplementation is necessary.  &nbsp; Best Magnesium-Rich Foods for Breast Cancer Survivors: 🥑 Avocado🥦 Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard)🐟 Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines)🥜 Nuts &amp; seeds (pumpkin seeds, almonds, flaxseeds)🍫 Dark chocolate (80% or higher) &nbsp; Recommended Product Mentioned in This Episode: 💊  – Created by Dr. Nasha Winters and researchers at the Metabolic Terrain Institute of Health, this high-quality magnesium supplement is designed to support blood sugar balance, detoxification, and methylation for those navigating breast cancer recovery.   &nbsp; Want More Support? ✨  – Get monthly coaching, live Q&amp;A calls, and expert guidance on nutrition, mindset, and healing.✨  – Book a Metabolic Health Coaching Plan to optimize your nutrition, genomics, and lab markers for recovery and long-term wellness. &nbsp; Let’s Stay Connected! 💌 Subscribe to the Newsletter →  📷 Follow on Instagram →  🎥 Watch on YouTube →  &nbsp; Rate &amp; Review the Podcast! Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share this episode with someone who needs it! &nbsp; Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode and show notes is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, treatment, or guidance from a qualified healthcare provider. Always consult your doctor or a licensed healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, or supplement routine—especially if you have a medical condition, are undergoing treatment, or are taking prescription medications. The views expressed in this episode reflect personal opinions and research and should not be interpreted as a prescription for any specific health condition. Use this information as a starting point for informed discussions with your healthcare provider about what is best for your unique needs. By listening to this episode and using the resources provided, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own health decisions. &nbsp;

#401 Magnesium Breast Cancer Recovery - The Mineral You Can't Ignore

Did you know that&nbsp;up to 90% of breast cancer survivors experience PTSD symptoms&nbsp;after diagnosis? Many women struggle with anxiety, emotional numbness, and hypervigilance long after treatment ends—but they often feel like they&nbsp;should&nbsp;be “over it” by now. In today’s episode of&nbsp;Better Than Before Breast Cancer, I’m diving deep into: ✅&nbsp;How common PTSD is after breast cancer&nbsp;(with real statistics and research) ✅&nbsp;The hidden ways PTSD impacts your daily life, relationships, and physical health ✅&nbsp;Why women resist emotional support and think they should "just handle it" alone ✅&nbsp;How seeking help can actually improve both PTSD symptoms and long-term health ✅&nbsp;Where to find professional, peer, and holistic support options If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected, or like you “should be doing better” after breast cancer, this episode is for you. You don’t have to figure this out alone. Healing is possible, and support is available. &nbsp; Resources &amp; Support Mentioned in This Episode: 🔹&nbsp; 🔹&nbsp; 🔹&nbsp; &nbsp; More Ways to Connect &amp; Get Support: 💌&nbsp;Join my email list&nbsp;for weekly wellness tips &amp; podcast updates →&nbsp; 👩‍💻&nbsp;Follow me on Instagram&nbsp;for daily inspiration →&nbsp;  🎙&nbsp;Subscribe &amp; leave a review&nbsp;on Apple Podcasts →&nbsp; &nbsp; If this episode resonated with you, please share it with another survivor who needs to hear this message. Your healing matters.&nbsp;💗

#402 Breast Cancer & PTSD - Why Support is Key to Healing

Have you ever caught yourself waiting for permission to be happy? Saying things like, "I'll relax after this stressful phase is over," or "I'll treat myself once I hit that goal"? You're not alone—so many of us delay joy, saving it like a precious prize to be earned later. In this heartfelt episode, Laura invites you to explore the deeply-rooted mindset of treating happiness as something conditional rather than essential. She shares relatable examples—waiting for the stressful season at work to pass before taking a restful weekend, holding off on self-care until you reach your ideal weight, or delaying relaxation until all your tasks are complete. Drawing from personal experiences navigating life after breast cancer, Laura gently reveals how postponing joy can negatively impact your emotional, mental, and even physical health. She encourages listeners to recognize that joy isn’t just a reward reserved for achieving milestones or good news—it's a fundamental right, a powerful tool for healing, and a crucial element of overall wellness. Listen in as Laura offers practical ways to incorporate spontaneous joy into everyday life. Discover simple, nurturing activities that you can embrace immediately, like enjoying your morning tea, connecting with nature, or dancing freely in your kitchen. Join us for an empowering conversation that will inspire you to shift your mindset, embrace happiness in the present moment, and fully integrate joy into your healing journey. &nbsp; In this episode you'll learn:  How childhood conditioning shapes our views of joy and reward Specific ways you might unknowingly be postponing happiness The tangible health benefits of regularly allowing joy into your life Easy, actionable ideas to experience spontaneous joy starting today  Remember, you deserve joy right now, not just after achieving certain goals. Tune in and start welcoming happiness as a vital part of your healthier, better-than-before life. &nbsp; Subscribe, listen, and share to help other women embrace joy as their right and not just a reward. &nbsp;💌&nbsp;Join my email list&nbsp;for weekly wellness tips &amp; podcast updates →&nbsp; 👩‍💻&nbsp;Follow me on Instagram&nbsp;for daily inspiration →&nbsp;  🎙&nbsp;Subscribe &amp; leave a review&nbsp;on Apple Podcasts →&nbsp;

#403 Holding Happiness Hostage After Breast Cancer

In this eye-opening episode of the Better Than Before Breast Cancer Podcast, host Laura Lummer dives into the powerful connection between your body’s natural rhythms and the timing of your meals. Have you ever noticed how aligned you feel when you live in sync with nature’s cycles? Drawing from Ayurveda—an ancient system of medicine from India—and contemporary scientific research, Laura reveals how understanding your body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm, can significantly enhance your health, especially after breast cancer. &nbsp; What You’ll Discover in This Episode:  A gentle introduction to Ayurveda and how this 5,000-year-old wisdom emphasizes living in harmony with Earth's natural cycles. Clear, practical explanations of circadian rhythm, metabolism, hormonal balance, and their critical roles in breast cancer recovery. How Ayurvedic principles align surprisingly well with modern Western nutritional science. The profound health benefits of aligning meal timing with daylight hours, including improved sleep, reduced inflammation, and optimized metabolism. Easy strategies to shift your eating patterns gently, starting with simple steps like adjusting dinner times.  &nbsp; Key Studies Referenced: JAMA Oncology Study:Catherine R. Marinac, Dorothy D. Sears, Lok-Hei Lam, Shirley W. Flatt, Loki Natarajan, Ruth E. Patterson; "Prolonged Nightly Fasting and Breast Cancer Prognosis." JAMA Oncology, 2016; . &nbsp; Cell Metabolism Study: Emily N.C. Manoogian, Satchidananda Panda et al.; "Time-restricted eating improves cardiometabolic health in overweight individuals." Cell Metabolism, 2019; . &nbsp; Listen in to explore:  How simple shifts in meal timing can powerfully support your body's natural detoxification pathways and hormonal balance. The Ayurvedic recommendations for ideal meal times and how they beautifully complement modern scientific guidelines. Ways to incorporate a loving, compassionate mindset toward food, meal timing, and your body's natural rhythm.  &nbsp; This episode encourages you to foster a nurturing, compassionate relationship with your body by syncing your daily habits with the earth's rhythms, creating lasting health and harmony after breast cancer. &nbsp; Connect with Laura: Visit  for personalized metabolic health coaching, mindset transformation, and guidance specifically tailored for breast cancer survivors. Enjoyed the episode?&nbsp; Subscribe, leave a review, and share with friends who could benefit from this healing wisdom! &nbsp;

#404 Sync Your Meals, Heal Your Body - Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science

Have you ever wondered why foods like bread or pasta don’t sit quite right with you anymore—even though you’ve never had a problem with gluten in the past? In this episode of&nbsp;Better Than Before Breast Cancer, we explore how gluten, gut health, glyphosate, and mood are deeply connected—especially after breast cancer treatment. You’ll learn:  Why gluten can affect your gut and brain even without celiac disease The role of zonulin and leaky gut in inflammation and depression How breast cancer treatments like hormone therapy and aromatase inhibitors impact your gut What glyphosate is, how it’s used in wheat harvesting, and why it may make gluten harder to tolerate What the science says: two studies on gluten, gut health, and depression Simple steps to support your gut, reduce brain fog, and feel more like&nbsp;you&nbsp;again  This episode is for you if you’ve been feeling bloated, foggy, or emotionally off and want to understand how food, gut health, and healing work together after cancer. &nbsp; Resources &amp; Studies Mentioned:   📚&nbsp;  📚&nbsp; &nbsp; 🎧&nbsp;Tune in now and start feeling better from the inside out. &nbsp; Listen on your favorite platform: 🎙&nbsp;Subscribe &amp; leave a review&nbsp;on Apple Podcasts →&nbsp;  💌&nbsp;Join my email list&nbsp;for weekly wellness tips &amp; podcast updates →&nbsp;  👩‍💻&nbsp;Follow me on Instagram&nbsp;for daily inspiration →&nbsp;

#405 Is Gluten Affecting Your Gut and Mood After Breast Cancer?

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer, Laura Lummer dives into the real—and often overlooked—challenges of making and maintaining lifestyle changes after a breast cancer diagnosis. Starting with a powerful quote from Lao Tzu, “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading,” Laura reflects on the emotional weight, conditioned beliefs, and survival instincts that make behavior change both essential and incredibly difficult.&nbsp;   Whether you’ve felt stuck in old habits or overwhelmed by the pressure to be “perfectly healthy,” this episode offers a refreshing and compassionate perspective. Laura shares scientific research, personal stories, and practical strategies to help you make lasting, loving changes that align with your true values—not fear.&nbsp;   &nbsp;   What You’ll Learn in This Episode:&nbsp;     Why trauma and resistance often block behavior change after breast cancer&nbsp;       How conditioned thinking and emotional fatigue affect your motivation&nbsp;       The two extremes: falling back into old habits or going “all in” out of fear&nbsp;       The surprising science on why a diagnosis alone isn’t enough to change behavior&nbsp;       How to set meaningful, manageable goals without stress or shame&nbsp;       The importance of self-compassion and social support in sustainable change&nbsp;       How fear-based “health perfectionism” may actually harm your peace&nbsp;     &nbsp;   Powerful Quotes:&nbsp;   💬 “We’re more defined by what we do consistently than by being perfect.”&nbsp;💬 “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” – Lao Tzu&nbsp;💬 “Self-compassion may buffer against self-criticism and promote resilience in the face of setbacks.” – Health Psychology Journal&nbsp;   &nbsp;   Mentioned Research:&nbsp;    &nbsp;   &nbsp;   &nbsp;   &nbsp;   &nbsp;   &nbsp;   &nbsp;     &nbsp;  &nbsp;   Resources &amp; Support:&nbsp;   👉 Ready to make changes that feel aligned, intuitive, and supportive? Explore personalized coaching, life-changing lessons, and a powerful community of breast cancer survivors inside the .&nbsp;   👉 Grab a free download, meal plan, or join the waitlist for metabolic health coaching at &nbsp; &nbsp;   Listen Now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favorite shows.&nbsp; Don't forget to rate, review, and share with a fellow survivor who might need this loving reminder today.&nbsp;   &nbsp;

#406 The Surprising Truth About Behavior Change After Breast Cancer

In this episode of the Better Than Before Breast Cancer podcast, we're diving into how common post-treatment medications—like Tamoxifen, Aromatase Inhibitors (Letrozole, Anastrozole, Exemestane), Herceptin, Fulvestrant, and Bisphosphonates (like Fosamax and Reclast)—can deplete critical nutrients your body needs to feel good and stay strong. Have you ever wondered if the medications you're taking after breast cancer treatment could be affecting your energy, mood, or even your bone health? You're not imagining things. You'll learn:  Which nutrients are most commonly depleted by these medications (like magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, B12, and CoQ10) The symptoms that may be tied to nutrient deficiencies (think fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and more) How some medications may increase cholesterol levels or raise your risk of fatty liver Why supporting your body with the right foods and lifestyle habits can make all the difference  Plus, I’ll share simple, whole-food nutrition strategies and daily lifestyle tips that can help you feel more energized, support your bones, balance your mood, and reduce long-term side effects—without adding overwhelm. Whether you’re taking medications now or just want to be prepared, this episode is packed with practical, supportive guidance to help you stay nourished and in tune with your healing body. &nbsp;   Resources and Studies Mentioned:            &nbsp;   Subscribe, listen, and share to help other women embrace joy as their right and not just a reward. &nbsp;💌&nbsp;Join my email list&nbsp;for weekly wellness tips &amp; podcast updates →&nbsp; 👩‍💻&nbsp;Follow me on Instagram&nbsp;for daily inspiration →&nbsp;  🎙&nbsp;Subscribe &amp; leave a review&nbsp;on Apple Podcasts →&nbsp; &nbsp;   Keywords: breast cancer medications, tamoxifen nutrient depletion, aromatase inhibitor side effects, breast cancer bone health, post-treatment nutrition, breast cancer fatigue, Herceptin side effects, bisphosphonates and calcium, breast cancer recovery tips, managing cholesterol after cancer

#407 How Breast Cancer Medications Impact Nutrients - And What You Can Do About It?

Do you think it’s normal to feel discomfort in your body? Or do you recognize discomfort as your body’s attempt to communicate with you? In this thought-provoking episode, I challenge the idea that our bodies betray us. We’ll talk about how we've been conditioned to ignore discomfort, push through pain, and normalize symptoms like bloating, fatigue, inflammation, and poor sleep—until something more serious forces us to listen. I’ll share my personal experiences and real-life stories—including the heartbreaking loss of my brother to a curable cancer—to illustrate why tuning into your body’s signals matters now, not later. I’ll walk you through the challenges of behavior change, the role of chronic stress in disconnecting us from our own bodies, and how mindfulness can help us rebuild trust and awareness. This episode isn’t just for breast cancer survivors—it’s for everyone who wants to live a more connected, healthy, and intentional life. 🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:  Why people wait until illness to seek help (and what it’s costing them) How chronic stress numbs our ability to recognize body signals The psychology of behavior change and why we resist it Why your “normal” symptoms might actually be warning signs How to shift from blaming your body to supporting it with compassion  &nbsp; 💬 Memorable Quote: “Let’s drop the idea that our body betrays us—and start asking it what it’s trying to say.” &nbsp; 🧠 Scientific Research Cited:   Chronic Stress Reduces Interoceptive Awareness: “Stress and Interoception: An Overview and Research Agenda” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2016📖   Stages of Change and Behavior Change Readiness: “Stages and Processes of Self-Change of Smoking: Toward An Integrative Model of Change” Prochaska &amp; DiClemente, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1983📖   Cancer Diagnosis Delays Due to Symptom Normalization: “Understanding delay in cancer diagnosis: a review of diagnostic pathways” Br J Cancer, 2009📖   Mindfulness and Interoception for Healing: “Mindfulness-Based Interventions and Interoception: A Neurobiological Perspective” NIH, 2016📖   &nbsp; 🤝Work with Laura: Subscribe, listen, and share to help other women embrace joy as their right and not just a reward. 💌&nbsp;Join my email list&nbsp;for weekly wellness tips &amp; podcast updates →&nbsp; 👩‍💻&nbsp;Follow me on Instagram&nbsp;for daily inspiration →&nbsp; 👩‍💻&nbsp;Follow me on Facebook&nbsp;→&nbsp; &nbsp;🎙&nbsp;Subscribe &amp; leave a review&nbsp;on Apple Podcasts →&nbsp; 🎥&nbsp;Watch on YouTube&nbsp;→&nbsp;

#408 Breast Cancer and Your Body - Who's Betraying Whom?

Have you ever felt like you just&nbsp;breathe easier&nbsp;when you step outside? There's a reason for that—and it’s much deeper than simply “liking” nature. In this episode, we dive into&nbsp;why humans are biologically wired to crave nature&nbsp;and what happens when we ignore that inner pull for too long. We’ll explore the science behind&nbsp;Nature Deficit Disorder, the powerful mind-body effects of spending time outside, and how reconnecting with the natural world can support emotional, metabolic, and immune health—especially after breast cancer. You'll hear about:  What&nbsp;Nature Deficit Disorder&nbsp;is and why it matters The science behind our innate drive to seek connection with the earth How chronic indoor living impacts your&nbsp;stress levels, sleep, mood, and immunity Why just&nbsp;120 minutes of nature exposure per week&nbsp;can boost your health () What happens in your brain when you spend time outside () Practical, simple ways to reconnect with nature no matter where you live  🌿&nbsp;Ready to feel calmer, clearer, and more connected? Tune in and rediscover the natural healing that's been waiting for you all along. Resources and Studies Mentioned in This Episode:       &nbsp; 💌&nbsp;Join my email list&nbsp;for weekly wellness tips &amp; podcast updates →&nbsp; 👩‍💻&nbsp;Follow me on Instagram&nbsp;for daily inspiration →&nbsp; 👩‍💻&nbsp;Follow me on Facebook&nbsp;→&nbsp; &nbsp;🎙&nbsp;Subscribe &amp; leave a review&nbsp;on Apple Podcasts →&nbsp; 🎥&nbsp;Watch on YouTube&nbsp;→&nbsp;

#409 Breast Cancer, Wellness and Nature Deficit Disorder

In this episode of Better Than Before Breast Cancer™, we're talking about a common and little-talked-about side effect of breast cancer treatment and day-to-day living: digestive changes. If you've experienced bloating, reflux, fatigue, or that uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating, this episode is for you.  You'll learn why hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) is often misdiagnosed as high stomach acid, how breast cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapy contribute to poor digestion, and why treating symptoms with acid-blocking medications might be doing more harm than good.  Most importantly, we’ll cover simple, nurturing steps — like mindful eating habits and nutrient support — to help you feel better, absorb more nutrients, and reconnect with your body’s healing capacity.  &nbsp;    💡 What You’ll Learn:   How chemotherapy and hormonal therapy disrupt stomach acid production  The surprising truth about low vs. high stomach acid symptoms  Why PPIs and antacids may worsen digestion in breast cancer survivors  Simple ways to support digestion naturally after treatment  At-home options to test for low stomach acid  The role of eating hygiene in restoring healthy digestion  Common symptoms and red flags that signal hypochlorhydria  &nbsp;    📝 Mentioned in This Episode:    A free download:   What to look for if you suspect low stomach acid  The “baking soda test” you can try at home  How poor stomach acid disrupts enzyme activity, nutrient absorption, and overall metabolic health  &nbsp;    📌 Resources and Links:                 Internal transcript source:&nbsp;T3M4-MChapman2024, Clinical Nutritionist Training Material [Unpublished]  &nbsp;    ❤️ Subscribe &amp; Share:  If this episode spoke to you, please subscribe and leave a review. Share it with another breast cancer survivor who might be struggling with digestion — your voice could help someone finally find answers. 💌&nbsp;Join my email list&nbsp;for weekly wellness tips &amp; podcast updates →&nbsp; 👩‍💻&nbsp;Follow me on Instagram&nbsp;for daily inspiration →&nbsp; 👩‍💻&nbsp;Follow me on Facebook&nbsp;→&nbsp; 🎙&nbsp;Subscribe &amp; leave a review&nbsp;on Apple Podcasts →&nbsp; 🎥&nbsp;Watch on YouTube&nbsp;→&nbsp;

#410 How Breast Cancer Treatments Disrupt Your Digestion And What to Do About It?

Laura Lummer

Related tracks