|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home >
Research Department >
Health
Concerns Articles >
Breast Health & Fibroids |
|
Health
Concerns Articles |
|
|
BREAST HEALTH & FIBROIDS
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.) |
|
OPTIMUM BREAST
HEALTH |
|
|
|
Many environmental
factors have an
influence on breast
health, including:
diet, toxins from
the environment, and
stress among others. |
|
|
Breast
health is an important
medical concern for women,
but there is more that you
can do than just a self
examination... |
|
Breast cysts are fluid
filled masses that most
commonly occur in women ages
30 to 50. They are
benign growths that change
in size and tenderness with
the monthly cycle and are
usually worse right before
menstruation. They are
not dangerous in themselves
but they make it more
difficult to assess breast
tissue for any other masses. |
|
There are
several factors that
contribute to the formation
of breast cysts.
Hormones,
including high estrogen and
low progesterone, contribute
to an increase in the number
and size of milk producing
glands, which can then fill
with fluid and form cysts.
Bras that
restrict the circulation in
the breast also contribute
to the formation of cysts.
Hypothyroidism, due to low
iodine levels, and the
consumption of
methylxanthines also cause
breast cysts.
Conventional treatment for
fibrocystic breasts includes
the use of medications to
decrease hormone production
or improve thyroid
functioning. Natural
therapies are aimed at
balancing hormone levels to
prevent and minimize breast
cysts. |
|
What you can do |
|
- |
DETOXIFY
YOUR BODY
WITH FASTING
OR HERBS |
|
- |
KEEP YOUR
HORMONES
BALANCED
WITH EFAS |
|
- |
DON'T USE
PLASTIC
CONTAINERS
FOR FOOD OR
WATER |
|
- |
REDUCE
STRESS WITH
EXERCISES
LIKE YOGA OR
TAI CHI |
|
- |
REDUCE YOUR
INTAKE OF
BAD FATS |
|
- |
EAT LOTS OF
VEGGIES |
|
- |
TAKE THE
RIGHT
SUPPLEMENTS |
|
|
DID YOU KNOW?
(BREAST HEALTH
FACTS) |
|
- |
MEN CAN ALSO
GET BREAST
CANCER
|
|
- |
BREAST
IMPLANTS CAN
CAUSE
SERIOUS
HEALTH
PROBLEMS |
|
- |
LIVER HEALTH
IS ESSENTIAL
FOR BREAST
HEALTH |
|
|
The liver is
the organ that is
responsible for processing
hormones. The bowels are
responsible for excreting
processed hormones.
Performing regular liver and
bowel cleansing will help to
rid the body of excess
hormones like estrogen.
See the section on
detoxification for more
information.
Topically, castor oil packs
applied to the abdomen every
other day help to detoxify
the liver. Raw cabbage
leaves can be placed in the
bra to decrease swelling and
tenderness of the cysts.
Wear proper fitting bras to
promote circulation in the
breast
|
Dietary
sources of estrogens should
be minimized. These foods
are red meat, chicken and
dairy products. Coffee,
black tea, colas and
chocolate contain
methylxanthines and must be
eliminated because they
stimulate cyst formation.
Vegetarian women excrete
more processed estrogens
than women who eat meat.
Therefore a
vegetarian diet is
recommended to decrease
fibrocystic breasts. Foods
that should be eaten include
soy products. Soy contains
plant estrogens that help to
balance estrogen levels.
Use essential
fatty acids, found in flax,
walnut and sunflower seed
oil, because they are
anti-inflammatory and
decrease cyst formation.
Eat foods high in vitamin E
such as avocado, nuts, seeds
and wheat germ because
vitamin E softens and
reduces breast lumps.
Increase iodine consumption
by eating sea vegetables,
like kelp and nori.
The following
list of supplements can be
used for fibrocystic
breasts. Adult doses are
given. (CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS). |
|
SUPPLEMENT |
DOSAGE |
THERAPEUTIC
EFFECT |
|
Vitamin C |
1000-3000mg daily in
divided doses |
Optimizes immune
system activity |
|
Milk Thistle |
250mg twice daily |
Helps the liver
detoxify pollutants
and excess hormones |
|
D-glucarate |
300-500mg three
times daily |
Breaks down excess
estrogen |
|
Primrose oil |
1000mg three times
daily |
Contains gamma
linolenic acid to
reduce pain and
swelling. |
|
Vitamin B complex
plus B6 |
100mg
daily, plus B6 150mg |
Relieves PMS and
reduces cyst size.
Aids liver
functioning. |
|
Vitamin E
|
400-800IU daily |
Promotes circulation
of hormones in the
breasts. Can
decrease lump size. |
|
Kelp |
1500-2000mg daily |
A
source of iodine.
Iodine deficiency
contributes to
breast lumps. |
Also
beneficial for
BREAST HEALTH: |
Multivitamins, beta
carotene, zinc,
lipotropic factors,
coenzyme Q10,
natural progesterone
cream, chaste tree,
milk thistle, red
clover, squaw vine,
wild yam. |
|
|
|
For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
|
|
|
|
All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2012. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
|
|
|