Elizabeth Boham, M.D.

11/18/2025

The digestive system and trillions of gut microbiota play an important role in breast wellness and overall health. The microbiome supports nutrient absorption and immune health, and is essential for detoxification, which eliminates toxins from the system which can cause cancer. When the gut microbiome is imbalanced, this is known as dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can hurt the body’s ability to detoxify and metabolize estrogen, and has been linked to increased risk of breast cancer.

To support your microbiome, choose organic, nutrient-dense, fiber-rich, whole foods, and avoid unnecessary antibiotics. Make sure with your doctor that you need an antibiotic before taking one. It is common for people to take antibiotics for upper respiratory infections, many of which are viral and do not respond to antibiotics. Too many antibiotics can kill the good healthy bacteria in the gut. There are also antibiotics in non-organic meat and dairy, which is why I recommend choosing organic.

Fiber is so important for your microbiome and digestive health. It is found in whole plant foods like beans, legumes, nuts, ground flax seeds, cruciferous vegetables, and whole grains like quinoa and chia seeds. Aim for 35 grams of fiber every day by focusing on 8-10 vegetables and fruits along with other fiber-rich nuts, seeds, and legumes. Nutrient-dense, whole foods feed the microbiome and support your overall health. Maintain a balanced diet full of fiber and colorful fruits and vegetables, and you will support your energy, mood, and skin on top of reducing cancer risk.

Learn more about detoxification and the many other wonderful ways to reduce your risk of breast cancer in my book – https://www.amazon.com/Breast-Wellness-Tools-Prevent-Cancer-ebook/dp/B0DSG6RQ2W/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0.

11/18/2025

Thank you to one of our amazing nutritionists The UltraWellness Center Eileen Bote for writing this blog on the meaning of the holidays and how to create balance with food over the holidays.
"As you sit down to eat this season, take a moment to pause. Notice the colors on your plate, the aromas in the air, and the care that went into preparing the meal. Appreciate the hands and hearts that made it possible. Let each bite remind you that nourishment isn’t just about what’s on your plate — it’s about being present, grateful, and connected.

Balance doesn’t come from strict control; it comes from awareness. So take a breath, slow down, and come home — to your table, your body, and this moment."

The holidays are coming — a time to gather, connect, and enjoy good food. As I start planning menus filled with my kids’ favorite dishes, I’m reminded that food is so much more than fuel. It’s comfort, tradition, and the thread that ties our stories together. Each recipe holds a memory — t...

11/18/2025

It is important to personalize our treatment plans and look for that person's root cause to help them reach their optimal health!

11/18/2025

Looking for organic coffee that is also good for the planet? Puro Coffee USA

11/16/2025

At The UltraWellness Center, healing starts with how we see you. ✨

As Dr. Cindy Geyer shares. “Honor where the person across the table is coming from, and treat them with compassion.”

This is the foundation of her work and the work of all of our practitioners here at UWC. We listen to your story, your lived experience, and the stressors and strengths that shape your health.

When a clinician truly understands who you are, your care plan becomes more personalized, more effective, and more supportive of what you value most.

This is the kind of patient-practitioner partnership we create — with empathy, curiosity, and a commitment to helping you feel your best.

11/11/2025

The U.S Surgeon General issued a new Advisory on Alcohol and Cancer Risk in early January 2025, highlighting the causal link between alcohol and many cancers. This relationship is linear - meaning that the amount of alcohol consumed makes a big difference in our risk.

We know that every additional drink increases our risk of many cancers, including breast cancer. On top of that, alcohol harms brain health, mood, and can cause weight gain and other associated diseases. This is because alcohol: 1) is a toxin the liver needs to work to detoxify, making it harder for the body to get rid of other toxins; 2) increases body fat percentage, increasing estrogen production; 3) increases free estrogen in the body; and 4) uses up B vitamins, which are important for detoxification.

I recommend 5 or less drinks per week for most patients, and no more than 1-2 per week for those with higher risk of breast cancer. For many, it is easiest to cut it out entirely – Dry January can be a great time to try it out!

Try non-alcoholic drinks with no added sugar (like seltzer) between drinks or instead of drinks entirely. To unwind, find other healthy habits like a walk, time in nature, meditation, a bath, or a mocktail or tea without added sugar instead of alcohol.

Learn more about other toxins and ways to support your body’s detoxification systems for breast wellness in my book https://www.amazon.com/Breast-Wellness-Tools-Prevent-Cancer/dp/B0DSJDP3J9.

2025 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Alcohol and Cancer Risk https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/alcohol-cancer/index.html

[BCRF. (2024, April 18). Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk. Breast Cancer Research Foundation. https://www.bcrf.org/blog/alcohol-and-breast-cancer-risk/]

11/07/2025

11/04/2025

Photo I took of my amazing Japanese maple after my walk this morning! Remember to get your exercise and vitamin D even as it gets colder out! Early morning sunshine helps with your circadian rhythm and sleep and vitamin D that you get from the sun, (even though the sun is not as strong this time of year) is great for your immune system.

11/04/2025

This interview will be rebroadcasted tomorrow, Wednesday the 5th, at 3 pm EST on WAMC. Or you can listen now here - https://www.wamc.org/show/51/2025-10-30/dr-elizabeth-boham-on-breast-wellness

What if you could influence your breast health — long before any diagnosis?⁠

Dr. Elizabeth Boham, UWC’s Medical Director and Physician, joins 51%, a national public radio show, to share insights from her book, “Breast Wellness: Tools to Prevent and Heal from Breast Cancer.”⁠

From lifestyle and nutrition strategies to the latest research in functional medicine, Dr. Boham breaks down practical ways to take charge of your health.⁠

🎧 Tune in this Thursday, Oct. 30 at 8 PM ET on WAMC Northeast Public Radio or https://www.wamc.org/show/51

Let’s empower more women with knowledge — share this post with someone who would find this conversation meaningful. 💗

11/04/2025

Recent research from the UK Biobank suggests that the type and amount of carbohydrates we eat may be connected to long-term brain health. In this large prospective study of over 200,000 adults, diets with a lower glycemic index (GI) were associated with more favorable cognitive patterns over time, while higher glycemic load (GL) diets showed the opposite trend.

In some ways, we might expect this result. It reinforces an essential theme in nutrition science: the way we metabolize carbohydrates may influence not only energy and metabolic health, but also cognitive aging.

The takeaway is not the restriction or vilification of carbohydrates, but rather the awareness of amount, type, and sequencing of diverse carbohydrates, particularly those that are slower-digesting, fiber-rich, and part of a balanced, whole-food dietary pattern.

11/04/2025

Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, broccoli sprouts, kale, bok choy, and brussels sprouts are some of the best foods for breast cancer prevention. Studies have shown that consuming 1-2 cups of cruciferous vegetables per week is associated with a reduced risk of cancer. They have many wonderful properties, including supporting the removal of toxins from the body, and metabolizing excess estrogen.

Glucosinolates, a wonderful phytonutrient, are abundant in cruciferous vegetables. This nutrient is converted to sulforaphane in the gut, which is important for the creation of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant for supporting immune health. Sulforaphane also increases tumor suppressor genes in the body and promotes programmed cell death, helping protect the body against cancer growth.

Learn more about the many wonderful foods that can reduce your risk of breast cancer in my book –https://www.amazon.com/Breast-Wellness-Tools-Prevent-Cancer-ebook/dp/B0DSG6RQ2W.

[Liu, X., & Lv, K. (2013). Cruciferous vegetables intake is inversely associated with risk of breast cancer: A meta-analysis. The Breast, 22(3), 309–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2012.07.013]