Elizabeth Boham, M.D.

09/09/2025

Drinking green tea is a wonderful natural way to support breast wellness.

Polyphenols are a phytonutrient found in green tea that can block the cancer-causing impacts of toxins and plastics in the environment.

EGCG (epigallocatechin) is an antioxidant in green tea that can reduce inflammation in the body, which is important for reducing your risk of cancer.

EGCG has also been found to inhibit tumor growth, support programmed cell death, support the efficacy of drugs used during treatment, and reduce insulin resistance.

I recommend 2-4 cups a day - remember to choose organic green tea, and avoid plastic tea bags by using a loose-leaf tea and metal strainer. If it is caffeinated, try not to drink it too close to bedtime!

Learn more about the many wonderful foods that can reduce your risk of breast cancer in my book - available as an ebook or print on demand. https://www.amazon.com/Breast-Wellness-Tools-Prevent-Cancer/dp/B0DSJDP3J9

09/06/2025

Sudha and I are back at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health , October 3rd - 5th, for another wonderful restorative weekend to learn how to Build a Better Immune System for Lifelong Health and Vitality. From functional medicine, to yoga, breath work, and Ayurvedic medicine, we will discuss it all. We will also practice these tools and enjoy the beautiful Berkshires in the Fall! Come join us!!

On Campus Program

09/06/2025

🍎✨ Apple Polyphenols and Mitochondrial Health

September is one of my favorite months. Our apple trees are heavy with fruit, and I love receiving these seasonal gifts from nature. As the days begin to shift, apple season reminds me that food is more than flavor: it’s nourishment timed to the rhythms of the year. I often say, “There’s a reason to eat foods in season.” Perhaps the apple’s phytochemicals are nature’s way of supporting our metabolism as we transition into the slower, more restorative months ahead.

Here's an interesting study to share with you that may illustrate that point. In a controlled rat study (PMID: 37658608), researchers found that dietary apple polyphenols had measurable effects on muscle mitochondria:

- Enhanced energy production: Increased activity of respiratory chain Complexes II–IV, enzymes central to mitochondrial ATP generation.

- Supported mitochondrial turnover: Upregulated TFEB and related proteins, markers of mitophagy, which is the body’s natural process of removing damaged mitochondria.

- Improved mitochondrial quality control: Together, these changes suggest a greater capacity for maintaining healthy, efficient mitochondria.

While these results are promising, it’s important to note they come from an animal model. More research is needed to determine if similar benefits occur in humans. In the meantime, I'm still going to eat the apples in my yard!

⚠️ Note: Apples are generally safe, but may trigger oral allergy in some (especially with birch pollen allergy), digestive sensitivity from FODMAPs, or concerns about pesticide exposure if not organic. Apple seeds should not be consumed in large amounts.

*Educational use only. Not intended as medical advice.

09/02/2025

Happy Cancerversary to me!

26 years ago today, I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. I am so grateful, proud, and excited to share everything I have learned since then with you all in my new book, Breast Wellness: Tools to Prevent and Heal from Breast Cancer, linked in my bio!

When I got cancer, I wanted to know why. These questions led me to Functional Medicine, a way of looking at health and disease by individualizing treatment and focusing on the root causes of disease in each person’s body.

Although there is so much that we don’t know or cannot control, many of the tools I learned are valuable for both breast wellness and overall health. 

Here are some of my favorites to follow every day:
1. Eat a healthy, whole foods diet low in processed foods, simple sugars, and toxins like alcohol and high in colorful fruits and vegetables. 🌈
2. Avoid toxins in the environment such as pesticides, parabens, and BPA. 🙅‍♀️
3. Maintain a regular sleep and stress management routine. 🧘

You can download a FREE list of my Top 15 Tips for Breast Wellness at the link in my bio!

Check out my $10 ebook for even more wonderful information I put together for you all 💗

08/30/2025

08/30/2025

08/30/2025

📚 The secret to better focus in the classroom might actually start in the gut.

When kids struggle with concentration, mood swings, or energy crashes, it’s not always “just in their head.”
The foods they eat, how their gut processes nutrients, and even their sleep routine all play a role in how their brain shows up at school.

Join us for our free webinar:
🧠Think Gut: Helping Kids Build Strong Minds from the Inside Out
🩺with Dr. George Papanicolaou and Lisa Dreher, RD
🗓️Friday, September 5 at 12pm EST

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_V9_UQt_EQSqzmBPwooNwtw #/registration

08/30/2025

📚 Back-to-school is about more than new supplies — it’s about giving kids and teens the tools to focus, learn, and thrive.

What many parents don’t realize is that focus, mood, and resilience aren’t just “in the mind” — they’re deeply connected to the gut. When digestion and nutrient absorption are out of balance, it can affect learning, energy, and emotional well-being.

✨ Join our free webinar, Think Gut: Helping Kids Build Strong Minds from the Inside Out
🗓 Friday, September 5th at 12pm EST on Zoom
👩‍⚕️ Featuring Dr. George Papanicolaou, DO, IFMCP & Lisa Dreher, MS, RDN, LDN

You’ll learn how the gut–brain connection shapes your child’s (and teen’s) ability to focus — plus practical tools you can use to support their success this school year.

RSVP here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_V9_UQt_EQSqzmBPwooNwtw

08/13/2025