Health Post # 3 - For Women

This post was written for women and with women readers in mind. Though anyone is welcome to read this post, please keep in mind that this post was written explicitly about things in regards to women's health. 

Women have been beautifully designed by God in so many different ways. One of those ways is a woman's ability to carry, nurse, and raise children. God equipped women for this task. 

"Yellow Flax" Flowers

Not only do women have a monthly cycle as designed by God for bearing children, God also designed women to be able to feed their children as well. The female body was perfectly and clearly designed by God. 

Sadly, there seem to be many women today who are getting breast cancer. Was that part of God's perfect design and plan? 

No, it wasn't. Sickness, disease (like cancer), and death are all the result of living in a fallen, sin cursed world. 

I can think of at least three women I know, personally, (and maybe more!) who have had breast cancer and are still living today! I praise God they are still living. 

What causes breast cancer? 

I don't have all the answers to that question. But, over the past few years, I've learned a lot about women's health and things that can help prevent things like breast cancer, hence my reason for sharing some things in this post. 

As I have already shared on this blog, we live in a world with many toxins, much more than 100 years ago, I believe. I'm sure there were toxic things in our world over 100 years ago as well, but not to the same extent as today. 

When I say toxins, I'm especially thinking of things like certain laundry detergents, cleaning products, and body care products. (think: shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, body sprays, and deodorants) Many of these products for sale in stores today are full of toxic stuff! (think: chemicals) I'm serious. Stuff like that matters a lot which is why I wrote about them on this blog. Look for less toxic, more natural type products. They are available online and in health type stores. 

Laundry detergent, cleaning products, and body care products aren't the only thing that can make people more toxic and sick though; diet also plays a big role, a huge role, in the human body. That is why I specifically wrote about nutrition on this blog. We were designed by God to eat, primarily, a plant based diet. (Genesis 1:29) Yes, God gave mankind permission to eat meat, but eating a lot of animal products is not healthy. I know this from hearing about and talking to people who have changed their diet to a more plant based one, eating more fruit, vegetables, grains, and nuts. Their health improved dramatically! 

The old adage that says “Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables!” is so very true.  

Our mental, emotional, and spiritual health also has an affect on the body was well. Negative emotions are not healthy. Massive stress is not healthy. While some things in life are out of our control, we can choose to keep our own heart right with God. That is especially important.  

I could go on and on about different things that can cause sickness and disease in the body. (another one could be too many pharmaceutical drugs!) 

When the human body gets into a toxic, overloaded state, it begins to break down and get really sick. Sometimes, it can be hard to trace the exact cause of something. We don't always know. 

But, there are some good preventatives that I have learned about. That is what I've attempted to share about on this blog. 

What does all of this have to do with breast cancer in women? 

When a woman's body gets into a toxic state through things like poor nutrition and diet, toxic chemicals, massive stress, etc. the body doesn’t know what to do with toxins like that and will try to store those toxins somewhere inside the body. Quite often, for women, one of the main places is in the breast, thus eventually causing breast cancer. Another place for women is in the ovaries or womb. (think: ovarian cancer or uterine cancer) 

What can women do to prevent this from happening? 

Take a good, close look at your diet. Also check your laundry detergent, cleaning products, and body care products. Be very careful about taking too many drugs (meds) at one time unless you need them. I'm not against medication. We need it sometimes. But, it's not a good idea to take too many at one time. 

I'm also going to make another very simple suggestion here to all women. 

Unless you are nursing and need to wear a bra at all times to prevent any leaking, if you are a woman who is 15, 25, 45, 65, 85, or 95 and all of the ages in between, always take your bra off at night before you go to sleep. 

Why am I suggesting this? 

The area in between women's breasts and under arms is a large area where the lymphatic system clears itself and helps to drain things. As I mentioned in a post on this blog about deodorant, it is not wise to apply something with aluminum there because God designed that area to help get rid of toxins. 

The same idea applies to wearing a bra. If there is constant restriction near there (due to a bra strap which needs to be somewhat fitted) then the lymphatic system cannot always filter things out. Lymphatic fluid can become somewhat stagnate there if you are always wearing a snug fitting bra. 

During the day? No problem. 

But please, if you are a woman reading this, take your bra off at night before you go to bed. Not only is it much more comfortable for sleeping, it is also much healthier to sleep without a bra on. Your lymphatic system can do its job much better without something snug being there. Your body primarily heals and renews itself at night while you are sleeping.

This is a very simple suggestion, but one that can really help and make a big difference in your body. Wearing a bra with natural fibers (like cotton or a cotton blend) is also better if you can find that.    

Since this post is specifically for women, I would also like to add something else on the topic of wearing tighter things.

Whether you are a mother or not, I'm going to offer another very simple suggestion in regards to your clothing, your children's clothing, and especially, baby clothing.   

Most women today purchase clothing for themselves and for their children. But, there are some women who enjoy sewing their own clothing for modesty. If you enjoy sewing for yourself or for your daughters, if use elastic in sleeves or around a waist, make sure that the elastic is not too tight. 

Why? Not only is tight elastic uncomfortable, it is also not healthy to have something tight around your arms and especially around your waist. (where organs are) Make sure it fits well, but that it is not too tight.

And baby clothing? 

I've seen some cute pictures of different babies in the past few months from people that I know. (or know of) Ironically, most of them have been baby boys. The moms have shared pictures of their baby boys in cute, little outfits. So adorable!

All of the baby boys I saw pictures of were dressed in a little shirt (or onesie) and pants with an elastic waist, and a snug one at that. On a couple baby boys, I couldn't help but notice their little tummy protruding slightly due to the elastic waist in their pants.

They were cute, but I had to wonder, how does the baby feel? 

Having never been a mother myself, I decided to ask my mom recently about a baby's digestive system. It is still developing in the first few months after birth, correct? 

Oh yes, my mom agreed. Especially in the first 6 months, a baby's digestive system is still very much developing.  

I couldn't resist asking my mom. Do you think that babies could have tummy issues simply from wearing pants with something snug around their waist? 

My mom agreed, stating that I was correct in my assumption. 

Naturally, I couldn't help but wonder. How many babies, especially newborn to six months old, have fussed and screamed and wailed and cried simply because of elastic that was too snug around their waist? They didn't know how to tell "mama" that it was too tight and uncomfortable there, so they simply cried. 

Babies cannot talk at the age. Their only way of talking or communicating is through crying. This is not to say that is always why a baby cries. This is just something to be aware of. (Babies love to be swaddled, all snug in a blanket! That is not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about something tight around their little tummy.) 

Now I understand why my mom kept her babies pretty much in onesies all the time in our first year of life. Not only was it more convenient for changing a diaper (likely, her main reason) but it is much healthier for a baby not to have something tight around their little tummy. I will likely do the same for any children I have someday. Thankfully, onesies (one piece of clothing without any waist seam) come in both short sleeves and long sleeves, with “legs” or without “legs” for different seasons. 

To those who have the incredible blessing and privilege of being a mother, when you are shopping for clothing for your children, and especially for your baby, look for clothing that is not only made with natural fibers (like 100% cotton or a cotton blend), but also make sure that any elastic in the waist is not too tight.    

Though very simple, these things can make a huge difference for both mother and child in regards to health and comfort. Throughout the ages of time, elastic is something that most people did not have in their clothing. Though I enjoy ruffled, elastic sleeves, I always try to make sure mine is loose, not tight.  (especially if I sew a nightgown!) This is very much something to be aware of. Make sure any elastic on you or your baby or child is not too tight. 

I have one more post to share in regards to women's health, one where I will share some more very simple, but practical tips.  

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, and I have no medical training. The things I share on this blog are simple, practical things that I've learned help with good health.