Breast cancer researchers have found three new genes linked to the the most common form of breast cancer. The breakthrough has been described as like “finding gold in Trafalgar Square” by Dr Anita Dunbier, lead author of the study.
The discovery means that scientists, from the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre at The Institute of Cancer Research in London, could develop new ways of diagnosing and treating the cancer which is responsible for 36,000 cases a year. One gene found causes the growth of cancerous tumours.
The study took place over five years and scientists studied 104 patients who have what is known as oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, which is to blame for 12,000 deaths a year. It is named so because oestrogen feeds and fuels tumours by attaching onto proteins on the surface of cancer cells known as receptors. Existing treatments work by cutting off the oestrogen supply.
However, tumours often become resistant to treatment, leading to the cancer to return after surgery. The discovery of these new genes means that new treatments can be developed when current ones fail.
Excitingly, new treatments could be available as soon as in the next five years.
It’s amazing what the power of nature can do. Just by adding a couple of these super foods to your diet you can boost your health, your happiness and energy supply . Here’s Wonder Woman’s list of top super foods and the secret ways they can give your body a natural makeover.
Blueberrys
Blueberries have ultra high levels of anthocyanin, an anti-oxidant which helps protect against cancer causing free radicals. The blueberries absorb all these radicals from our oxygen so when they, ahem, exit our bodies they take their free radicals with them decreasing our chance of developing cancer in later life. Sprinkle a handful on your cereal each morning for a yummy twist on your morning breakfast.
Coconuts
Coconut water contains natural electrolytes (potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium and phospherous) which quickly hydrate the body which lowers blood presure, fights cellulite (yay!) and fights heart disease. Coconut oil speeds up metabolism and is proven to reduce body fat and weight. You can buy cartons of coconut water and coconut oil from your local supermarket, or you can buy a whole coconut, crack it open yourself at home and pretend you’re in the Carribbean, but I’ll leave that up to you.
Acai berrys
There has been a lot of buzz surrounding acai berries on the food scene. They are said to be the fruit that holds the most nutritional value over any other. They are jam packed full of vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. They also speed up your metabolism, make you feel fuller for longer and aid water retention. You can buy them as a juice, raw or in capsules as a food supplement.
Chicken, turkey and pork
This might appear to be an obvious one, everyone knows how important protein is in your diet. But what you might not know is how fabulous a high protein diet can make your hair. Hair is made from protein, so by eating high levels of meat and eggs your hair will grow faster and stronger. It is better to choose white meat as it has a lower fat content than red meat. You can also put eggs on your hair as a quick hair mask to inject some protein into your tresses for healthy, shiny hair.
Dark Chocolate
Yes. Really. Chocolate is actually good for you! Like blueberries, dark chocolate is high in anti-oxidants, in fact 7 times more than the number in strawberries. It also includes flavonoids which helps lower blood pressure cholesterol. It also makes you happy (although you didn’t need me to tell you that). It contains serotonin, an anti-depressant and stimulates endorphin production which gives the feeling of pleasure. It is also lower in fat than milk chocolate. The key is to choose a brand of chocolate with the highest possible cocoa solids as these will be of the most benefit while still satisfying your sweet tooth.
Complete the following body weight circuit with absolutely NO rest in between exercises
1. 45-degree lunges (instead of stepping straight out in front, step out and to the side at a 45-degree angle, push off your heel back to start position and alternate) x 15 reps per leg
2. Jumping jacks x 50 reps (fast as you can go, full range of motion)
3. Push-ups x 12 reps (if you can’t do regular push-ups, do them off your knees until you get stronger)
4. Lying hip extensions x 20 reps
5. Burpees x 10 reps
6. Squat jumps x 12 reps (explode through the jump; don’t sacrifice form on the lowering phase)
7. Plank x 30 secs (keep back flat, abs tight, body weight is on forearms and toes only)
8. High knees x 30 secs (as fast as you can go, bringing knees up as high as possible)
—> This is one circuit. Rest 90 secs and repeat 1-3 times, depending on your fitness level.
—> Include 3-5 cardio workouts each week
For a video of all the moves in the routine go here.
We’ve all been there. January we sign up to the local gym full of optimism to get rid of our post-Christmas muffin top, May rolls around, we’ve been to the gym three times to flirt with the hottie at reception and we’ve still got that muffin top. Not quite the Jessica Alba bod we were hoping for. But that’s where Wonder Woman can help. We are going to turn you into a, errr...Wonder Woman before you can say “Bikini!”
Sometimes the gym just seems too far away, filled with too many overly fit tanned bodies, taking too much of your hard earned cocktail money. That’s ok because you don’t always need expensive gym equipment to burn off those calories, there are a lot of exercise tips that you can do in your own home. Wonder Woman got Graeme Sosna on the case. Graeme has been a personal trainer at Horsham Golf and Fitness Club for over five years and he is now going to train you to get you toned and fit and flab free. Here are his top tips:
1. Jogging
Jogging is brilliant for working your heart rate and burning those calories. It tones your legs, your abs and your arms. It might sound scary if you’re not a fitness fan but Graeme says it doesn’t have to be. “You can start off slow, for example you can begin by running one minute and walking one minute and repeating seven times. Then the next week you can do two minutes running and 90 seconds walking and build it up until you can run for 15 minutes or half an hour straight. The important thing is to listen to your body, you should be able to hold a conversation as you run and if you feel pain stop.” We found a brilliant beginners timetable at Runners World to get you started, to view click here. Now whack on the iPod full blast and get running!
2. Ab Circuits
Ab circuits are great for working your inner six pack, they don’t take much time out of our schedule and they are fun and easy to do too! “One circuit takes just 10 minutes to complete and you can do as much or as little as you want. You should do a mixture of lunges, star jumps and press ups to really work all your ab muscles.” Click here to view Graeme’s ab plan. Another one of his top tips is to name your workout after your fave celeb. For example you could call it the ‘Megan Fox Plan’ or the ‘Katy Perry Plan’ then every time you go to do it your celeb can be your inspiration to get started.
3. Running up and down the stairs
Now this is a tough one but it is so worth it. It tones your thighs, your calves and your bum and burns more calories than jogging and cycling. Graeme has a great way to make this fun, “See how many times you can run up and down the stairs in 60 seconds, then each time see if you can beat your score, for example if you do it seven times, next time aim for eight. Do this several times a day and you will definitely see a difference in a week of two.”
4. Get walking
One of life’s simplest exercise routines you can do everyday around your daily routine. Graeme says, “Walking actually burns around 200 calories per hour. Get a step monitor and see how many steps you do a day aim for around 10,000 steps. You could get adventurous and discover hidden footpaths and breathtaking views, especially if you walk uphills.”
