🫐Why Antioxidants Are Vital After Breast Cancer Treatment

You rang the bell. The scans came back clear. But deep down, you know you're not “done.”

If you’re feeling exhausted, foggy, inflamed, or just off after breast cancer treatment, you’re not alone and you’re not broken. Your body is still recovering. One of the most overlooked tools in that recovery? Antioxidants.

💥 The Oxidative Storm of Cancer Treatment

Cancer itself creates oxidative, so does the treatment meant to kill it.

Chemo. Radiation. Surgery. Hormone therapy. Even the emotional stress of diagnosis. All of it increases free radicals which are unstable molecules that damage your DNA, tissues, mitochondria, and hormones.

When free radicals outweigh your body’s ability to neutralize them, you’re in a state of oxidative stress and that keeps your body stuck in survival mode long after treatment ends.

🧪 What Are Antioxidants (and Why Should You Care)?

Antioxidants are your body’s clean-up crew. They neutralize free radicals and prevent further damage. Think of them as the "rebuild and repair" team after the destruction.

They’re essential for:

✅ Repairing DNA damage

✅ Supporting mitochondrial (energy) function

✅ Regulating inflammation

✅ Rebalancing hormones (especially post-chemo menopause)

✅ Strengthening the immune system

✅ Supporting detox and liver pathways

This isn’t just about “feeling good.” It’s about cellular healing. The kind of repair your body needs after months (or years) of intense medical treatment.

⚠️ The Problem: Antioxidant Depletion Is Common After Treatment

Here’s what I see all the time in survivors (and experienced myself):

• Fatigue that doesn't lift

• Brain fog

• Lingering inflammation or pain

• Hormonal chaos

• Increased sensitivity to toxins, foods, or stress

Part of this comes from depleted antioxidant reserves; especially when your nutrient status has been affected by chemo, stress, gut damage, or hormone blockers.

Your body’s natural antioxidant systems (like glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) need the right minerals, vitamins, and support to work. But cancer treatment depletes many of those building blocks; especially zinc, selenium, magnesium, and B vitamins.

🌈 It’s Not Just About Supplements

Yes, supplements can help. But real healing comes from rebuilding your antioxidant network, both the ones you make and the ones you eat.

Here's how to do that:

🥗 Eat the rainbow:

Berries, leafy greens, cruciferous veggies, herbs, citrus, sweet potatoes

Polyphenols and flavonoids like quercetin, curcumin, resveratrol, and EGCG (from green tea)

🔬 Support your mineral status:

Zinc, selenium, copper, and manganese are critical cofactors for your natural antioxidant enzymes

I use HTMA testing with my clients to help identify imbalances and rebuild from the inside out

😴 Prioritize rest & recovery:

Sleep is when your antioxidant systems go to work

Chronic stress uses up antioxidant stores, so supporting your nervous system is just as key

💨 Move your body gently:

Movement boosts endogenous antioxidant production and mitochondrial repair

This doesn’t mean hitting the gym hard. Walks, yoga, or strength training can all help

👩‍⚕️ Final Thoughts: You're Not Broken, You're Rebuilding

Antioxidants aren’t just a buzzword, they’re vital to your post-treatment healing.

If you’ve felt like your body is dragging despite being “done” with cancer, this could be why.

In my practice, I focus on:

• Functional nutrition + minerals

• Targeted antioxidant support

• Rebuilding energy, hormones, and confidence after cancer

• Because treatment might be over, but healing is just beginning.

💌 Want to stop guessing and start rebuilding?

Take the free mineral quiz or reach out to me at lauren@afterthebellhealing.com.

You don’t have to do this alone.

With you in healing,
Lauren Cranmer, RN, BCFNP, HTMA-P