Breast Health

WHAT IS BREAST HEALTH?

Men and women are very different physiologically speaking and so it would only follow that their health concerns would also be very distinct. Women face more than the lion’s share of physical and psychological concerns that are, to a large extent, dictated by their hormones, and as one might expect, these fluctuate over time. Things like PMS, perimenopause, menopause, fertility, hormone imbalances of every kind, and skin health are just a few of women’s health concerns.

Breast health is an important medical concern for women that should begin with awareness. The best way to do that is to start doing regular breast exams on yourself. Indeed, women and girls should be encouraged early on, to develop a sense of what is normal for their breasts; textures, changing sensitivity throughout the menstrual cycle, lumps, and bumps, and even nipple discharge.

BREAST CARE 101

Beyond breast exams, it's also important to realize that hormones play a central role in breast health. Hormones can fluctuate drastically depending on diet, nutritional status, toxicity level, and other factors such as stress and sleep. Fortunately, there are a variety of nutrients and supplements that you can add to your diet to make sure your body is getting everything it needs to ensure optimal hormone balance and in turn, optimal breast health.

Essential fatty acids are among the most important nutrients for hormonal balance and healthy breasts, because they are naturally anti-inflammatory and have been shown to discourage the formation of cysts. Iodine is another crucial trace mineral to pay attention to as low levels can result in cyst formation, a common manifestation of a low functioning thyroid or hypothyroidism.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BREAST HEALTH SUPPLEMENT FOR YOU

Natural health care practitioners and health and wellness consultants play an important role and need to be well informed so they can advise, reassure and educate women of all ages and from all walks of life about their gynecological and sexual health, wellbeing, and lifestyle concerns. Now more than ever, women are being proactive about supporting breast health. One of the most important things one can do when it comes to supporting breast health is to maintain a healthy balance between "good" and "bad" estrogen. There is a wide range of estrogen formulas on the market, featuring a variety of potent nutrients that help support healthy estrogen activity and detoxification to preserve optimal breast health. Some of the top breast health nutrients to look for include:

Indol3-carbinol (I3C)

a plant nutrient found in cruciferous vegetables. Research has shown that I3C helps to break down toxic estrogens into non-toxic forms. It also helps maintain a healthy cervix, protects against HPV cervical lesions, and controls abnormal cell growth as seen in uterine fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and breast lumps.

Diindolymethane (DIM)

DIM is the by-product of the breakdown of I3C and helps to break down harmful estrogens into non-toxic forms.

Sulforaphane

a broccoli sprout extract that has been shown to stimulate the body's detoxification to eliminate environmental estrogens.

Calcium D-Glutarate

a powerful antioxidant and a potent detoxifier of excess estrogens. It's also been shown to reduce the risk of unhealthy cell growth.

Chaste Tree Extract (Vitex)

a well-researched medicinal plant that increases progesterone and helps regulate the menstrual cycle and hormone balance.

GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid)

found in evening primrose oil and borage oil and supplies key essential fatty acids that we simply do not get enough of through diet. GLA deficiency, in fact, is a major cause of PMS, cramps, and cyclical mastalgia (monthly breast pain associated with the cycle).

Zinc

an important mineral and required for hormone balance. Women who have more severe forms of PMS usually have lower zinc status.